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CarCareTruth

Oleic Acid

  • Esters
  • CAS 112-80-1
  • IUPAC: (Z)-octadec-9-enoic acid

Oleic Acid (CAS 112-80-1) appears in 8 of the 2,122 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of August 2026). It is readily biodegradable.

Natural monounsaturated fatty acid found in olive oil and animal fats. Low systemic hazard. Not a skin sensitizer. May cause mild eye or skin irritation at high concentrations; at 2–6% in conditioner formulas, no significant health concern.

Oleic acid is a naturally occurring monounsaturated fatty acid — the same compound that makes olive oil an effective skin emollient. In leather care products, it functions as a penetrating conditioning agent that softens and lubricates leather fibers, helping to restore suppleness in dry or weathered hides.

At the 2–6% concentrations found in leather conditioners, oleic acid presents no meaningful health concern. It is not classified as a sensitizer, carcinogen, or reproductive toxicant. Its biodegradability and natural origin make it one of the more environmentally preferred conditioning actives compared to petroleum-derived alternatives.

Health & environment profile

VOC
no
Prop 65 listed
no
Asthmagen
no
EPA Safer Choice
no
Aquatic toxicity
no
Biodegradable
yes
Bioaccumulative
no
Persistent
no
Ozone depleting
no
Microplastic
no
PFAS
no
Env. score
5/5
Purpose: Leather conditioning agent; emollient; penetrating carrier

Common questions about Oleic Acid

What is Oleic Acid used for in car care?
Leather conditioning agent; emollient; penetrating carrier
Is Oleic Acid a VOC?
No. Oleic Acid is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Is Oleic Acid on California's Proposition 65 list?
No. Oleic Acid is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
Is Oleic Acid biodegradable?
Yes. Oleic Acid has a confirmed biodegradable profile.

8 products contain this

Related

Health and environment notes translate the manufacturer Safety Data Sheet, the GHS classification, and authoritative regulatory listings (California Prop 65, EPA). Not medical advice. They describe the ingredient itself; whether a hazard applies to a finished product depends on its concentration and how it's used.