Is Chitosan safe in cosmetics?
Chitosan has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Good
Cosmetic Ingredient
Chitosan
Also known as: Sea Cure Plus, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 128930
INCI: CHITOSAN
Chitosan (CAS 9012-76-4) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Film Former, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Delivery System, Skin Conditioning. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 9012-76-4 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Film Former, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Delivery System, Skin Conditioning
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted in cosmetics; shellfish-derived allergen consideration; no CIR restriction
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Chitosan.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
10 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOEL | =5 % | Rat | oral | subchronic | ECOTOX |
| LOEL | =3 % | Rat | oral | subchronic | ECOTOX |
| NOEL | =3 % | Rat | oral | subchronic | ECOTOX |
| NOEL | =5 % | Rat | oral | subchronic | ECOTOX |
| NOEL | =100 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term | ECOTOX |
| NOEL | =100 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | subchronic | ECOTOX |
| LOEL | =5 % | Rat | oral | short-term | ECOTOX |
| NOEL | =2 % | Rat | oral | short-term | ECOTOX |
| NOEL | =5 % | Rat | oral | short-term | ECOTOX |
| LOEL | =10 % | Rat | oral | subchronic | ECOTOX |
Additional Ingredient Properties
9 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
acne
{"cas_number": "9012-76-4", "anti_acne_mechanism": "antibacterial", "comedogenicity_rating_0_to_5": "0", "acne_type_efficacy": "inflammatory", "sebum_reduction_pct_clinical": "0-5", "prescription_required_usa": "No", "otc_drug_monograph_category": "No", "max_otc_concentration_pct": "No limit", "japan_quasi_drug_anti_acne": "No", "korea_functional_cosmetic_acne": "No", "eu_cosmetic_restriction_acne…
anti_aging
{"anti_aging_claim": "barrier-repair, hydration-plumping", "mechanism_of_action": "Humectant, water binding, barrier support", "target_skin_layer": "stratum corneum, epidermis", "collagen_stimulation": "No", "elastin_protection": "No", "wrinkle_reduction_pct": "6-12", "clinical_study_duration_weeks": "8", "sample_size": "30", "double_blind": "Yes", "placebo_controlled": "Yes", "published_journal":…
anti_pollution
{"cas_number": "9012-76-4", "ingredient_class": "anti_pollution", "primary_mechanism": "film_forming_barrier", "pollution_types_targeted": "PM2_5", "IR_A_protection": "no", "visible_light_protection": "no", "digital_screen_protection_claim": "no", "PAH_neutralization": "no", "ozone_protection": "no", "mitochondrial_protection": "no", "Nrf2_activation": "no", "AhR_pathway_modulation": "no", "NF_kB_…
biopolymer
{"cas_number": "9012-76-4", "polymer_class": "chitin_derivative", "botanical_source": "Crustacean shells (deacetylated chitin)", "molecular_weight_range_kDa": "50-2000", "monosaccharide_composition": "glucosamine/N-acetylglucosamine", "degree_of_branching": "linear", "charge_type": "cationic", "viscosity_1pct_solution_mPas": "50-2000", "pseudoplastic_behavior": "moderate", "thixotropy": "weak", "y…
humectant
{"cas_number": "9012-76-4", "ingredient_class": "humectant/polysaccharide/film_former_moisturizing", "molecular_weight_Da": "variable", "chemical_type": "polysaccharide", "water_binding_mechanism": "hydrogen_bonding/hygroscopic/film_forming", "water_holding_capacity_g_per_g": "0.7-1.2", "hygroscopicity_at_50_RH": "excellent", "hygroscopicity_at_80_RH": "excellent", "NMF_component": "no", "NMF_perc…
polymer
{"cas_number": "9012-76-4", "ingredient_class": "film_former/conditioning", "polymer_type": "protein_based", "chemical_backbone": "chitin", "molecular_weight_Da_range": "50000-500000", "ionic_character": "cationic", "charge_density_meq_g": "6.0-7.5", "pH_viscosity_sensitivity": "moderate", "salt_tolerance": "moderate", "electrolyte_effect_on_viscosity": "moderate", "temperature_viscosity_sensitivi…
rheology
{"cas_number": "9012-76-4", "rheology_modifier_type": "Natural Polysaccharide - Deacetylated Chitin", "thickening_mechanism": "Electrostatic repulsion and hydrogen bonding", "viscosity_increase_factor": "1500-7000x", "brookfield_viscosity_typical_cps": "2500-14000", "shear_thinning_behavior": "Moderate", "thixotropic": "Low", "yield_stress_pa": "4-15", "flow_curve_type": "Pseudoplastic", "optimal_…
sensory
{"silky": "gel-like", "smooth, glides easily": "smooth, film", "dry-touch, non-greasy": "protected, conditioned", "instant": "moderate", "low": "high", "w/o": "o/w", "very-high": "moderate", "no": "no", "yes": "yes", "1.40": "1.54", "transparent": "translucent", "colorless": "off-white", "excellent": "fair", "light": "light", "synthetic": "biotechnology"}
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Antioxidant
Film former
Hair fixative
Preservative
Regulatory List Membership (1)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Chitosan.
Regulatory Flags
heavy_metal_testing_required
marine_origin
shellfish_allergen_consideration
delivery_system_encapsulation
antimicrobial_film
epa_safer_alternative
Known Synonyms
Sea Cure Plus
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 128930
Chemical Function
Film former
Hair fixative
Antioxidant
Preservative
Regulatory Lists
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
SCIL (9/2019)
pharmaceutical
Canada; pharmaceutical
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chitosan allowed in the EU?
Chitosan EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Chitosan do in cosmetics?
Chitosan functions as: Film Former, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Delivery System, Skin Conditioning. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9012-76-4.
Compliance Tools
Check Chitosan 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
Related Ingredients
Agar
Excellent
Same category
Binder, Thickening Agent, Gelling Age...
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Excellent
Same category
Skin Conditioning, Anti-aging, Emolli...
Fucoidan
Excellent
Same category
Anti-aging, Skin Conditioning, MMP In...
Alguronic Acid
Good
Same category
Anti-aging, Skin Conditioning, Skin H...
Carrageenan
Good
Same category
Gelling Agent, Thickening Agent, Emul...
(AGARICUS BLAZEI FERMENT + GANODERMA LUCIDUM FERMENT + GANODERMA MULTIPILEUM FERMENT) EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Anti-sebum, Antioxidant, Skin Protecting
(ANGELICA ACUTILOBA/PAEONIA LACTIFLORA/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA) ROOT/CNIDIUM OFFICINALE RHIZOME EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning ...
(ANGELICA ACUTILOBA/PAEONIA LACTIFLORA/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA/SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS) ROOT/(CNIDIUM OFFICINALE/COPTIS CHINENSIS) RHIZOME/GARDENIA JASMINOIDES FRUIT/PHELLODENDRON CHINENSE BARK EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
(ANGELICA GIGAS/GLYCYRRHIZA URALENSIS/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA ROOT)/ANGELICA GIGAS STEM/CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS FLOWER/(CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS/PRUNUS PERSICA SEED)PORIA COCOS WATER
Good
Similar safety
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Pr...
(ANGELICA KEISKEI/CHRYSANTHEMUM ZAWADSKII) LEAF/STEM/CINNAMOMUM CASSIA BARK/TRICHOSANTES KIRILOWII FRUIT/ULMUS DAVIDIANA BARK/ROOT/(PAEONIA JAPONICA/BUPLEURUM FALCATUM/POLYGALA TENUIFOLIA ROOT)/VISCUS ALBUM STEM EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Anti-seborrheic, Anti-sebum, Antioxid...
(APPLE/CITRUS JUNOS/LENTIL/PEAR/PUMPKIN/STRAWBERRY/TOMATO FRUIT)/CORN KERNEL/(ARCTIUM LAPPA/BRASSICA OLERACEA ACEPHALA/CABBAGE/CAMELLIA SINENSIS/MORINGA OLEIFERA/RADISH/SPINACH LEAF)/(SORGHUM BICOLOR LEAF/STEM)/OAT MEAL/POTATO PULP/(CARROT/NELUMBO NUCIFERA/RADISH/WILD YAM ROOT)/(AMARANTHUS HYPOCHONDRIACUS/CASHEW/CICER ARIETINUM/COIX LACRYMA-JOBI MA-YUEN /MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA/PHASEOLUS ANGULARIS/PISTACIA VERA/RHYNCHOSIA NULUBILIS/RICE/SESAME/SETARIA ITALICA/SOYBEAN/SWEET ALMOND/WHEAT SEED)/HORDEUM VULGARE SPROUT/CYPERUS ESCULENTUS TUBER/ARTEMISIA PRINCEPS/BROCCOLI/CHENOPODIUM QUINOA/ENTEROMORPHA COMPRESSA/HORDEUM VULGARE/IPOMOEA BATATAS/LAMINARIA JAPONICA/LENTINUS EDODES/PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS/PORPHYRA TENERA/UNDARIA PINNATIFIDA EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Antioxidant
Agarose
Good
Chemical family
Film forming, viscosity controlling
Alpha-Glucan
Excellent
Chemical family
Skin Conditioning, Film Forming, Hume...
Cellulase
Moderate
Chemical family
Skin conditioning (enzyme-based exfol...
N-SUCCINOYL CHITOSAN
Good
Chemical family
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Is Chitosan in Your Products?
Scan any product label with Piro — our free ingredient scanner. Point your camera at the ingredients list and get instant safety scores for every ingredient.
Try Piro Free →Analyze Your Full Ingredient List
Paste any INCI list into the Decoder for instant safety analysis, or calculate the Margin of Safety for Chitosan in your formulation.