Propyl Acetate
AKA “N-PROPYL ACETATE, Acetic acid, propyl ester, Propyl ethanoate, 1-Acetoxypropane, 1-Propyl acetate, Octan propylu, Acetic acid n-propyl ester”
Ingredient Facts
Propyl acetate
AKA: N-PROPYL ACETATE, Acetic acid, Propyl ester, Propyl ethanoate, 1-Acetoxypropane, 1-Propyl acetate, Octan propylu, Acetic acid n-propyl ester
Synthetic · Perfuming · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Fragrance
Solvent
Clean
A light, plant-derived solvent that helps carry fragrance throughout the product while keeping it fresh and easy to apply.
Solubility 2 % (NIOSH, 2024)
Formula
C5H10O2
Mol. Weight
102.13
CAS #
109-60-4
Form
Liquid
State
N-propyl acetate appears as a clear colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. Flash point 58 °F. Less dense than water, Vapors are heavier than air.
See origin →
Functions
Perfuming
Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Strengthens Barrier
Adds pleasant scent
Dissolves other ingredients
Traditional Use
Developed in the early 20th century as a synthetic ester. Used in cosmetics as a solvent and fragrance component, and later as a solubilizer in nail lacquers and other formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid.
Cherian P, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid.
Cherian P, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Methoxyisopropanol and Methoxyisopropyl Acetate as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Acetic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
dehydroacetic acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isopropyl Acetate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isopropyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Methoxyisopropyl Acetate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Propyl Acetate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Final report on the safety assessment of methoxyisopropanol and methoxyisopropyl acetate as used in cosmetics.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2008
Acetic acid and the skin: a review of vinegar in dermatology.
Elhage KG, St Claire K, Daveluy S
International journal of dermatology, 2022
Acetic acid and the skin: a review of vinegar in dermatology.
Elhage KG, St Claire K, Daveluy S
International journal of dermatology, 2022
Acetic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
dehydroacetic acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Isopropyl Acetate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Isopropyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Propyl Acetate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Potential application of novel liquid crystal nanoparticles of isostearyl glyceryl ether for transdermal delivery of 4-biphenyl acetic acid.
Fujii MY, Asakawa Y, Fukami T
International journal of pharmaceutics, 2020
Preparation of (13)C-labeled ceramide by acetic acid bacteria and its incorporation in mice.
Fukami H, Tachimoto H, Kishi M, Kaga T, Waki H et al.
Journal of lipid research, 2010
Methoxyisopropyl acetate
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Trichloroacetic acid
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR