Shikimic Acid

Shikimic acid is a natural, cyclical hydroxy acid found naturally in the fruit of the Japanese star anise. It is well-known as an important raw material for synthesizing the anti-influenza drug due to its considerable pharmacological properties.

This molecule is a precursor to numerous plant and microbial aromatic products, both popular in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

As a professional shikimic acid supplier in China, Baisifu used advanced chemistry technology. We ensure shikimic acid is available for sale and meets the needs of increasing worldwide demand.

CAS Number: 138-59-0

Appearance: White to Off-white Crystalline Powder

Solubility: Easily soluble in water

Numerous Benefits

Shikimic acid has a lot to offer, which is why it’s needed in many products. It is widely respected in the medical industry for its anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterriostatic properties.

It also has anti-melanogenesis properties, promotes hair follicle growth, and is included in a variety of cosmetic formulations for skin lightening or hair enhancement.

With total of three chiral carbons, shikimic acid is an excellent synthetic raw material for producing different bioactive compounds.

Technical Specification

Shikimic Acid Uses

• Whitening agents: It inhibits tyrosinase activity, suppressing the production of melanin in treated skin. It is responsible for inducing regulated lightening upon application at appropriate concentrations.
• Hair care products: It promotes dermal papilla growth, extending anagen phase. Scalp serum application maintains hair density and strength in studies.
• Anti-wrinkle products: It provides mild exfoliation while providing antioxidant protection to the skin. Coupled actions smoothen’s texture and maintains structural protein integrity.
• Analgesics: It suppresses inflammatory mediator release that is linked to pain signaling pathways. The properties make it fit for use in preclinical pain management studies.
• Antidepressants: It regulates neurotransmitter homeostasis and inhibits neuroinflammation in model systems. It is also a chemical precursor to varied active syntheses.
• Antiviral formulations: It is a critical starting material used in oseltamivir synthesis. Large-scale pharmaceutical production is dependent on this exceptional application.
• Antibacterial products: It displays significant antibacterial activity under controlled conditions. Such properties supplement preservation schemes and enhance active blends in bioactive products.
• Exfoliating products: It removes surface dead cells without affecting skin barrier function. Its mild activity ensures compatibility with reactive and sensitive products.

Recommended Usage Levels

The ingredient works best at 1–5% in cosmetics. Brightening effect is seen most readily at about 2%. Concentrations above 5% may cause irritation risk without adding more perceivable benefit.

Lower inclusion levels are generally appropriate in hair and scalp product formulation. Testing has established efficacy even at low levels. Such efficiency allows for light formulations that require only minimum addition.

Specialized preparations like analgesic or antidepressant models needs to be designed in a personalized manner. The inclusion rates are set in relation to performance objectives and safety considerations. We recommend starting at the lower limit for stable tolerability, with our staff undertaking stepwise optimisation to assist you in finding the most suitable range.

Solubility

It is readily soluble in water at pH 4–6 under normal conditions. This condition is acceptable with most cosmetic preparations, and the addition is easy. Solubility can change if particle size is altered or processing temperature modified during preparation.

In organic solvents, it has better compatibility with polar solvents. DMSO and DMF give higher values for solubility, whereas ethanol can have moderate levels of 2–3 mg/mL. These references inform solvent choice upon product formulation.

It is weakly soluble in non-polar solvents like chloroform or benzene. In oil formulations, emulsification is needed for stable incorporation. Our technical support provides the correct solvent approach to guarantee stable and effective operation.

Shelf life and Stability

Crystal forms remain stable for about 24 months under ideal storage conditions. This involves freezing at –20 °C to maintain the integrity of the material against degradation. Subsequent packaging renders it impervious to light and moisture during handling.

It is less stable in aqueous form. The solution should be stored in a refrigerator under perfect condition, if possible, at temperatures between 0–4 °C for the best preservation.  Preparation of fresh solution at this stage ensures consistency of activity, which is crucial before further processing or testing.

Heat stability is not affected under regular processing conditions. Decomposition occurs only at high laboratory limits of greater than 200 °C. Proper storage and packaging ensure long-term quality to be safe and consistent.

Safety Profile

This ingredient is considered safe when used within the levels recommended. Toxicological studies have revealed low oral toxicity and high tolerance margins. This supports the verified safety of this ingredient for use in cosmetics and personal care formulations.

Additionally, skin tests indicate very little irritation under normal use conditions. Such tests also indicate no evidence of sensitization. Therefore, in order to ensure consistency, we recommend regular checks for compatibility at development stages.

Certifications

This ingredient comes with full analytical quality and purity certification in every batch. The purity is also usually in the 95–98% range. Such high assurance makes the performance consistent and results credible during formulation and manufacturing.

Regulatory references like CAS, EC, and EINECS are also included to guarantee conformity. The references guarantee the identity of the ingredient and facilitate easy documentation. The records are kept in open form and conform to globally accepted regulatory standards.

Why Choose Baisifu as your Shikimic Acid Supplier in China

Choosing a shikimic acid supplier you can trust is fundamental to your cosmetic business success. At Baisifu, we focus on giving you high grade shikimic acid, that meets the safety standards and guarantee optimal efficacy.

As an ISO 22716 certified shikimic acid manufacturer, we work with your team to achieve the best formulation for every product. With our years of experience in the cosmetic ingredients industry, Baisifu team will help you get the best products for your factory – get your free samples now.