Is Carnauba Wax safe in cosmetics?
Carnauba Wax has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 1 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Carnauba Wax
Also known as: EINECS 232-399-4, UNII-R12CBM0EIZ, Copernicia Prunifera wax
INCI: COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX
Carnauba Wax (CAS 8015-86-9) is a cosmetic emollient functioning as Wax; viscosity modifier; film-former. NOAEL 250 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in food safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 8015-86-9 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Wax; viscosity modifier; film-former
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) for food use per 21 CFR 184.1978 with no limitation other than GMP. Approved as inactive ingredient for pharmaceutical tablets and capsules. No restrictions for cosmetic use. JECFA ADI: 0-7 mg/kg bw. FDA VCRP (2023): 808 formulations reported. FDA RLD (2024): 5,199 formulations reported. Maximum reported concentration in use: up to 30% in mascaras.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Carnauba Wax.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
1 study endpoint found for Carnauba Wax. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | 500 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Reproductive | COSMOS_DB |
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Carnauba Wax across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
5 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | =670 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | - | EFSA |
| NOAEL | =250 mg/kg-day | Dog | oral | chronic | EFSA |
| NOAEL | =1500 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | subchronic | EFSA |
| NOAEL | =8800 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | subchronic | EFSA |
| ADI | <=7 mg/kg | Human | oral | - | WHO JECFA ADI |
Additional Ingredient Properties
3 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
lipid
{"cas_number": "8015-86-9", "lipid_class": "wax", "botanical_source": "Copernicia Cerifera", "plant_part": "leaf", "extraction_method": "refined", "fatty_acid_profile_main_pct": "wax esters", "omega_classification": "saturated", "saponification_value": "80-85", "comedogenicity_rating_0_5": "1", "absorption_rate": "very_slow", "skin_feel": "waxy", "spreadability": "poor", "occlusive_properties": "h…
self_tanning
{"cas_number": "8015-86-9", "ingredient_class": "other", "tanning_mechanism": "other", "color_development_onset_hours": "0.0", "full_color_development_hours": "0", "color_duration_days": "0", "DHA_concentration_if_applicable_pct": "0", "erythrulose_concentration_pct": "0", "pH_dependent_color": "no", "formaldehyde_release_concern": "no", "formaldehyde_release_ppm": "0", "AGE_formation_concern": "n…
sensory
{"silky": "waxy", "smooth, glides easily": "hard, glossy", "dry-touch, non-greasy": "protected, shiny", "instant": "slow", "low": "very-high", "w/o": "w/o", "no": "yes", "yes": "yes", "light-diffusing": "high-shine", "1.40": "1.46", "transparent": "translucent", "colorless": "yellow", "light": "medium", "synthetic": "botanical"}
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-adhesive/cohesive
Anti-caking agent
Binder
Depilatory
Film former
Hardener
Lubricating agent
No specific technical function
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Softener and conditioner
Regulatory List Membership (2)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Carnauba Wax.
Regulatory Flags
eu-unrestricted
cir-approved
gras-fda
natural-origin
no-sccs-opinion
epa_safer_alternative
fda_food_additive
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Carnauba Wax by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
1
Lowest NOAEL
500 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
500 mg/kg bw/day
COSMOS_DB
Known Synonyms
EINECS 232-399-4
UNII-R12CBM0EIZ
Copernicia Prunifera wax
Chemical Function
Surface modifier
Softener and conditioner
Film former
Depilatory
No specific technical function
Binder
Regulatory Lists
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Cleaning products and household care - shoes; Europe
Cleaning products and household care - shoes; Europe
Europe; Personal care - make-up and related
Europe; Personal care - make-up and related
SCIL (9/2019)
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
Food contact items
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in food safety data.
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
Carnauba wax
E Number
E903
ADI
7 mg/kg bw
Food Category
preservative
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carnauba Wax allowed in the EU?
Carnauba Wax EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Carnauba Wax do in cosmetics?
Carnauba Wax functions as: Wax; viscosity modifier; film-former. It is classified as a Emollient in our database. CAS number: 8015-86-9.
What is the NOAEL for Carnauba Wax?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Carnauba Wax is 500 mg/kg bw/day based on a Reproductive study via oral route in rat. Source: COSMOS_DB.
Is Carnauba Wax used outside cosmetics?
Carnauba Wax also appears in food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Carnauba Wax compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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