Is Dithiothreitol (DTT) safe in cosmetics?
Dithiothreitol (DTT) has a safety rating of "POOR" in our database. EU status: prohibited. US status: permitted.
Poor
Cosmetic Ingredient
Dithiothreitol (DTT)
Also known as: DTT (threitol derivative), rel-(2R,3R)-1,4-Dimercapto-2,3-butanedio, DTT, 3-01-00-02360, BRN 1719757 (+10 more)
INCI: DITHIOTHREITOL
Dithiothreitol (DTT) (CAS 3483-12-3) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Reducing agent primarily used as a laboratory reagent in protein biochemistry,. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: prohibited. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 3483-12-3 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Dithiothreitol (DTT) is prohibited in EU cosmetics but has active industrial GHS classifications (H302, H315, H318, H319, H335, H412, H312).
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Reducing agent primarily used as a laboratory reagent in protein biochemistry, not a standard cosmetic ingredient
Safety Rating
POOR
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
(2R,3R)-1,4-bis(sulfanyl)butane-2,3-diol
InChIKey
VHJLVAABSRFDPM-IMJSIDKUSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
prohibited
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Not listed for cosmetic use under 21 CFR; classified as a laboratory chemical
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Dithiothreitol (DTT).
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10 - 100 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Hair waving or straightening
Reducing agent
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Dithiothreitol (DTT).
Known Synonyms
DTT (threitol derivative)
rel-(2R,3R)-1,4-Dimercapto-2,3-butanedio
DTT
3-01-00-02360
BRN 1719757
2,3-Butanediol, 1,4-dimercapto-, DL-threo-
Cleland reagent
(R*,R*)-(+/-)-1,4-Dimercapto-2,3-butanediol
D-1,4-Dithiothreitol
Dithiotreitol
EINECS 222-468-7
EINECS 248-531-9
D-threo-1,4-Dimercapto-2,3-butanediol
DL-threo-1,4-Dimercapto-2,3-butanediol
UNII-T8ID5YZU6Y
Chemical Function
Reducing agent
Hair waving or straightening
Regulatory Lists
Canada; consumer_product; Substances in Products - Canada (4/2014)
pharmaceutical
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dithiothreitol (DTT) allowed in the EU?
Dithiothreitol (DTT) EU regulatory status: prohibited. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Dithiothreitol (DTT) do in cosmetics?
Dithiothreitol (DTT) functions as: Reducing agent primarily used as a laboratory reagent in protein biochemistry, not a standard cosmetic ingredient. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 3483-12-3.
Is Dithiothreitol (DTT) used outside cosmetics?
Dithiothreitol (DTT) also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Dithiothreitol (DTT) have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Dithiothreitol (DTT) is prohibited in EU cosmetics but has active industrial GHS classifications (H302, H315, H318, H319, H335, H412, H312).
Compliance Tools
Check Dithiothreitol (DTT) 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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Good
Chemical family
Hair Waving Or Straightening, Reducing
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