What should you know about succinic acid?

Succinic acid is composed of four carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms, and four oxygen atoms (C₄H₆O₄). It presents itself in the form of colourless crystals, highly soluble in water. The first isolation of succinic acid dates back to the 19th century, where it was extracted from fossil amber, hence its name derived from the Latin term "succinum", meaning amber. Over the centuries, its applications have diversified, ranging from pharmacology to cosmetics.

Traditionally, succinic acid was extracted by distilling amber. Today, production methods have modernised and diversified. It is primarily produced through fermentation, using bacteria or yeast to convert sugars or starches into succinic acid. Another method involves producing it chemically from petrochemical raw materials. However, due to increasing demand and environmental concerns, the biosynthetic fermentation methods are gaining popularity, offering more sustainable alternatives for the cosmetics industry.

The succinic acid has several beneficial properties for the skin and hair, which justifies its increasing use in cosmetic formulations:

• Succinic acid is antimicrobial : The succinic acid inhibits the growth of bacteria, particularly Cutibacterium acnes, which is responsible for spots and skin blemishes. By regulating the microbial flora, it helps to reduce inflammation and the formation of comedones.

• Succinic acid is a gentle exfoliant : Due to its chemical structure, succinic acid acts as a gentle exfoliant. It promotes the shedding of dead cells on the skin's surface, which helps to improve skin texture and even out the complexion. This mechanism helps to reduce the build-up of dead cells that can clog pores.

• Succinic acid has a sebum-regulating effect : Succinic acid helps to normalise the production of sebum by the sebaceous glands, which reduces shine and the appearance of enlarged pores. By balancing sebum secretion, it helps to prevent skin breakouts associated with oily skin.

• Succinic acid possesses anti-inflammatory properties : It reduces skin inflammation, soothing irritated or blemish-prone skin. Additionally, scientific research has revealed that there is no evidence that succinic acid can be released from amber beads into the skin, nor that it possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which calls into question its direct use for these effects.

These properties make succinic acid a sought-after ingredient for skincare, particularly for those looking to enhance the clarity and texture of their epidermis.

Although the succinic acid is generally well tolerated when used in cosmetic products, it is always important to remain vigilant about potential side effects. Drawing on broader research on acids used in dermatology, one can hypothesize that succinic acid could lead to certain adverse effects:

• Skin Irritation: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritations, such as redness or itching, particularly those with sensitive skin.

• Skin dryness: Similar to other acids, succinic acid can cause dryness or flaking if used excessively, especially in individuals with dry skin.

• Increased sensitivity to the sun: Although specific evidence for succinic acid is limited, it is recommended to avoid excessive sun exposure after use to limit the risk of photosensitisation.

In the event of an adverse reaction, it is recommended to discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist.

At Typology, you can find succinic acid in our Blemishes Day Serum. Formulated with 98% natural-origin ingredients, this treatment combines the antibacterial and exfoliating properties of succinic acid with the seboregulating power of copper PCA to reduce all types of imperfections. Use over the whole face, after cleansing and drying.

• JANSEN M. & al. Towards large scale fermentative production of succinic acid. Current Opinion in Biotechnology (2014).

• DAI A. & al. Staphylococcus epidermidis in the human skin microbiome mediates fermentation to inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes: implications of probiotics in acne vulgaris. Applied microbiology and biotechnology (2014).

• PETRU F. & al. Sustainability metrics for succinic acid production: A comparison between biomass-based and petrochemical routes. Catalysis Today (2015).

• SABBATINI L. & al. The molecular composition of Sicilian amber. Microchemical Journal (2016).

• TANG Y. J. & al. Current advances of succinate biosynthesis in metabolically engineered Escherichia coli. Biotechnology Advances (2017).

• LI Z & al. Production of succinate from simply purified crude glycerol by engineered Escherichia coli using two-stage fermentation. Bioresources and Bioprocessing (2018).

• MURPHY M. & al. Krebs Cycle Reimagined: The Emerging Roles of Succinate and Itaconate as Signal Transducers. Cell (2018).

• YANG J. H. & al. Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin. Molecules (2018).

• KOOKOS I. & al. Downstream separation and purification of succinic acid from fermentation broths using spent sulphite liquor as feedstock. Separation and Purification Technology (2019).

• LI H. & al. Acne, the Skin Microbiome, and Antibiotic Treatment. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (2019).

• STEADMAN K. & al. Baltic amber teething necklaces: could succinic acid leaching from beads provide anti-inflammatory effects? BMC complementary and alternative medicines (2019).

• BEDOUX G. & al. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Cutibacterium acnes: Two Major Sentinels of Skin Microbiota and the Influence of Cosmetics. Microorganisms (2020).

• DRENO B. & al. The Skin Microbiome: A New Actor in Inflammatory Acne. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (2020).

• MASEK A. & al. Environmentally Friendly Polymer Compositions with Natural Amber Acid. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021).

• VARADE D. & al. Interfacial properties of novel surfactants based on maleic and succinic acid for potential application in personal care. Journal of Molecular Liquids (2021).

• DJELAL H. & al. A New Approach to Produce Succinic Acid Through a Co-Culture System. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology (2021).

• KRUTMANN J. & al. Urea in Dermatology: A Review of its Emollient, Moisturizing, Keratolytic, Skin Barrier Enhancing and Antimicrobial Properties. Dermatology and Therapy (2021).

• XIONG P. & al. Biosynthetic Pathway and Metabolic Engineering of Succinic Acid. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (2022).

• VISHWANATH S. & al. Economic and environmental analysis of bio-succinic acid production: From established processes to a new continuous fermentation approach with in-situ electrolytic extraction. Chemical Engineering Research and Design (2022).

• PARIKH P. & al. Optimization of microwave-assisted esterification of succinic acid using Box-Behnken design approach. Environmental Science and Polluttion Research International (2023).

• Thèse de Alina Anamaria MALANCA. High-performance fermentation by integration with membrane technologies: a case study on biosuccinic acid (2023).

• ERASMUS M. & al. From garbage to treasure: A review on biorefinery of organic solid wastes into valuable biobased products. Bioresource Technology Report (2023).