Calcium Propionate is the calcium salt of propionic acid and a specialty cosmetic ingredient used primarily for its preservative functionality. Its INCI name is CALCIUM PROPIONATE. The substance is identified by CAS No. 4075-81-4, EC No. 223-795-8, has the molecular formula C₆H₁₀CaO₄, and a molecular weight of 186.22 g/mol. COSMILE Europe identifies Calcium Propionate as a synthetic cosmetic ingredient with a preservative function.
Calcium Propionate is commonly supplied as a white crystalline powder, crystals or granules. It is freely soluble in water, making it suitable for formulation systems where a water-compatible propionate salt is required. International specifications describe it as having no more than a faint odour of propionic acid.
Calcium Propionate belongs to the propionate family of raw materials. It should be distinguished from Sodium Propionate, Potassium Propionate and Propionic Acid, because each has a different chemical identity and molecular composition.
Calcium Propionate is chemically calcium dipropionate, formed from two propionate groups associated with calcium. Its formula is C₆H₁₀CaO₄ and its formula weight is 186.22 g/mol. The material is generally handled as a crystalline solid or fine powder.
A significant technical point for this ingredient is that the current USP-NF specification includes a liquid chromatographic assay. The USP-NF definition specifies 97.0–102.0% calcium propionate on the anhydrous basis, and its assay uses LC with UV detection at 210 nm. This means that, unlike several inorganic sulfite ingredients, a numerical HPLC/LC assay can appropriately be included for a Calcium Propionate product when the supplied grade is aligned with this specification.
Current USP organic-impurity controls also identify calcium acetate, calcium acrylate and unspecified individual impurities, making impurity profiling relevant for higher-specification material.
The principal documented cosmetic function of Calcium Propionate is preservation. COSMILE Europe describes preservatives as ingredients used to protect cosmetic products from microbial spoilage, particularly in formulations containing water.
Calcium Propionate's preservative function is associated with propionate chemistry and can be incorporated into suitable preservation systems. The final performance of the ingredient depends on the formulation environment, including pH, water activity, compatibility with other preservatives and the microorganisms that need to be controlled.
The ingredient should therefore be considered as part of a complete preservation strategy rather than as an isolated guarantee of microbiological stability.
Calcium Propionate Cosmetic Ingredient can be considered for selected personal-care and cosmetic formulations, including:
Its good water solubility can facilitate incorporation into aqueous phases. Specifications also describe Calcium Propionate as freely soluble in water and soluble in ethanol.
The appropriate use level should be established according to the formulation, preservation challenge, finished-product requirements and applicable regulations in the intended market.
Calcium Propionate is generally compatible with aqueous formulation systems, but formulators should evaluate its behaviour within the complete formulation. pH is an important parameter, with reference specifications reporting approximately 7.5–10.5 for a 1-in-10 aqueous solution in JECFA/FCC-type standards. Current EU food-additive specifications use 6.0–9.0 for a 10% aqueous solution, illustrating why the exact standard applied to the commercial material should be clearly identified.
Moisture and insoluble matter should also be controlled. Current USP-specific testing reports water determination NMT 5.0% and water-insoluble substances NMT 0.2%, while the older loss-on-drying specification was NMT 4%. The current USP text distinguishes water determination from the previous loss-on-drying requirement.
For commercial cosmetic raw materials, the applicable specification should therefore be tied to the actual grade and COA rather than combining limits from different standards.
Calcium Propionate is a specialty cosmetic ingredient and preservative raw material for manufacturers developing personal-care formulations. Businesses sourcing Calcium Propionate in India may require defined assay, moisture, pH, water-insoluble matter and elemental impurity specifications together with batch-level technical documentation.
Relevant B2B searches include Calcium Propionate Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer in India, Calcium Propionate Supplier India, Calcium Propionate Manufacturing in India, Calcium Propionate Cosmetic Raw Material Supplier, Calcium Propionate Personal Care Ingredient Supplier and Bulk Calcium Propionate Ingredient Supply.
For commercial procurement, the selected grade should be matched to the intended formulation and regulatory market. Food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic specifications should only be claimed when the actual supplied material meets the relevant specification.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |
| Assay (HPLC) | 97.0–102.0% |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 4.0% |
| Total Impurities | NMT 1.0% |
| Water Content | NMT 0.5% |