ACETIC ACID

📋 Quick facts

Description: ACETIC ACID — BUFFERING, FRAGRANCE.

All Functions: BUFFERING, FRAGRANCE

Quick Facts:

• Category: other

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Acetic acid is a compound produced naturally by bacteria on your skin
• Research shows acetic acid has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties
• Vinegar (which contains acetic acid) has been studied for wound care, bacterial and fungal infections, itching, and head lice
• Acetic acid can affect fungal organisms on the skin by altering their gene activity
• Vinegar is generally safe but can damage skin if misused

⚗️ Chemical Overview

Acetate is a monocarboxylic acid anion resulting from the removal of a proton from the carboxy group of acetic acid. It has a role as a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite and a human metabolite. It is a conjugate base of an acetic acid. Acetate is salt or ester form of acetic acid. Acetate is the most common building block for biosynthesis, such as fatty acids. See also: Acetic Acid (annotation moved to); Acetic acid, glacial; aluminum acetate (annotation moved to); Vinegar (annotation moved to).

Source(s): ChEBI, PubChem, NCI Thesaurus (NCIt), via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Acetic acid is a naturally occurring compound on human skin, where it is produced by bacteria like Staphylococcus epidermidis as part of normal skin microbiome function (mBio, 2025). #1: The ingredient possesses antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that make it useful in wound care and against bacterial and fungal infections (Int J Dermatol, 2022). #2: Research supports its use in treating itching (pruritus), head lice removal, and stretch marks (striae gravidarum), though the sources reviewed here don’t detail the specific mechanisms or efficacy rates for these uses (Int J Dermatol, 2022). #3: At a cellular level, acetic acid acts as an epigenetic modulator—meaning it can influence how genes are expressed in fungal organisms like Malassezia restricta without changing the DNA itself.

When acetic acid comes into contact with these fungi, it triggers large-scale reorganization of their chromatin (the structure that packages DNA) and suppresses genes involved in metabolism and virulence, effectively reducing the fungus’s ability to cause problems (mBio, 2025). Importantly, this effect is specific to acetic acid and does not occur with other acids like hydrochloric acid, suggesting the compound has unique biological activity (mBio, 2025). #4: While generally safe for skin use, improper application of acetic acid or vinegar can result in skin damage, so dermatologists recommend proper guidance on safe and appropriate use (Int J Dermatol, 2022). The research base for acetic acid in skincare is limited to these applications; claims beyond antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antifungal effects are not supported by the sources provided here.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Elhage KG et al. (2022). Acetic acid and the skin: a review of vinegar in dermatology. Int J Dermatol.
• Shan L (2004). GKVLAK–(Gadolinium-(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-tris(acetic acid t-butyl ester)-10-acetic acid monoamide))–GGGGTVQQEL. a peer-reviewed journal.
• Gullo M et al. (2018). Biotechnological production of cellulose by acetic acid bacteria: current state and perspectives. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol.
• Lee JM et al. (2025). Acetic acid produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis remodels chromatin architecture and suppresses gene expression in Malassezia restricta. mBio.
• Lee JY et al. (2023). Aminooxy acetic acid suppresses Th17-mediated psoriasis-like skin inflammation by inhibiting serine metabolism. Front Pharmacol.

🧴 Products Containing ACETIC ACID

• Cien VitalBeauty Dia
• Anti-Tage Spezialcreme
• sophora japonica day cream
• Essence mySKIN PERFECTOR
• Hair System by Watsons Micellar Botanical Purifying Shampoo
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Luxe, The Body Shop ALMOND MILK & HONEY For Sensitive, Dry Skin
• MyProtein Hair & body wash
• Bulldog Soin Hydratant Peau Sensible Baobab Avoine Epilobe
• Natura Siberica Shamppoing cheveux colorés et abimés
• UpCircle Coffee Face Scrub Citrus Blend For Dry Skin
• Bulldog,Wilkinson Sword Bull Dog Hautpflege Original After Shave Balsam + Aloe Vera
• Apivita Shower gel with essential oils- refreshing fig
• Monte dos bens Creme para mãos
• L’OREAL NORGE AS Excellence 10 Ekstra Lys Blond
• L’OREAL NORGE AS Excellence 9 Meget Lys Blond
• BIO, Monsavon Monsavon BIO Déodorant Femme Bille Lait d’Amande 50ml
• Nacomï White Black Face Mask
• Hyderma Lait Hydratant
• MAN CAVE Lemon & Oak SHOWER GEL
• Änglamark Sun Spray, SPF15
• Änglamark Water Resistant Sun Spray, SPF30
• By Veira Curl Shampoo
• Bagovit Emulsión hidratante revitalizante, efecto luminoso
• Procter & Gamble Head and Shoulders
• Mustela Flacon Lait solaire très haute protection 300ml SPF50+
• Mustela Spray lait solaire très haute protection SPF 50+ waterproof
• Hask Rose Oil & Peach Shampoo
• Florame Mousse de rasage aux huiles essentielles bio et à l’huile d’argan bio
• Léa Nature, So’ Bio étic Douche Crème Argan & Fleur d’Oranger
• So’bio etic Shampooing doux Lait d’ânesse et d’amande
• Léa Nature, So’ Bio étic BB cream texture légère perfecteur de teint – 01 beige nude
• Léa Nature, So’ Bio étic Douche verveine citronnée Escapade en Provence
• Esselunga baby salviettine sensitive
• Centifolia Shampooing crème cheveux normaux
• Pallino Salviette umidificate
• Coslys Shampooing douche ultra doux sans savon aux céréales
• Coslys Shampooing douche ulta doux sans savon aux algues
• COSLYS shampooing cheveux normaux à la reine des prés bio
• Änglamark Änglamark Sun Lotion, SPF15
• Carrefour Crème de douche lait de coton hydratante