Dimethyl Succinate
AKA “Dimethyl butanedioate, Dimethylsuccinate, Butanedioic acid, dimethyl ester, Succinic acid, Methyl butanedioate, FEMA No. 2396”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Dimethyl succinate
AKA: Dimethyl butanedioate, Dimethylsuccinate, Butanedioic acid, Dimethyl ester, Succinic acid, Methyl butanedioate, FEMA No. 2396
Synthetic · Emollient · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
A lightweight conditioning agent that softens and smooths skin while helping other ingredients blend seamlessly into the formula.
Solubility greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 73 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C6H10O4
Mol. Weight
146.14
CAS #
106-65-0
Form
Liquid
State
Dimethyl succinate is a colorless liquid. (USCG, 1999)
See origin →
Functions
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
Developed in the 20th century as a synthetic compound. Used in cosmetics as a humectant and conditioning agent; has no traditional medicinal history.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
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
RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, pentanedioic acid, 1,5-dimethyl ester, CAS Registry Number 1119-40-0.
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
1,4-Butanediol/Succinic Acid/Adipic Acid/HDI Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Dimethyl Succinate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Succinic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Dimethyl Succinate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Succinic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR