Diethyl Succinate
AKA “Diethyl butanedioate, Ethyl succinate, Butanedioic acid, diethyl ester, Succinic acid diethyl ester, 4-diethyl butanedioate, 4-diethyl ester”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Diethyl succinate
AKA: Diethyl butanedioate, Butanedioic acid, Diethyl ester, Succinic acid diethyl ester, 4-diethyl butanedioate, 4-diethyl ester
Synthetic · Emollient · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
A lightweight conditioning agent that helps soften skin and improve product texture, while allowing other beneficial ingredients to blend smoothly together.
Solubility 19.1 mg/mL at 25 °C
Formula
C8H14O4
Mol. Weight
174.19
CAS #
123-25-1
Form
Liquid
State
Colorless liquid; [ICSC]
See origin →
Functions
Plasticiser
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Modern synthetic ester used as a solvent and humectant in cosmetic formulations. Developed to improve product texture and moisture retention in skincare products.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment diethyl succinate, CAS Registry Number 123-25-1.
Api AM, Belsito D, Botelho D, Browne D, Bruze M et al.
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2018
RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment Dimethyl succinate, CAS Registry Number 106-65-0.
Api AM, Belsito D, Botelho D, Browne D, Bruze M et al.
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2018
Diethyl Succinate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Dimethyl Succinate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Diethyl Succinate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Dimethyl Succinate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR