Is Ectoin safe in cosmetics?
Ectoin has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Excellent
Active Ingredient
Ectoin
Also known as: (4S)-3,4,5,6-Tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid, RonaCare, Pyrostatin B, (S)-2-methyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid, EC 431-910-1
INCI: ECTOIN
Ectoin (CAS 96702-03-3) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as skin-conditioning, osmoprotectant. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 96702-03-3 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
skin-conditioning, osmoprotectant
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted; no US concentration cap. Produced by fermentation from halophilic microorganisms (e.g., Halomonas elongata). Effective at 0.5–2% in leave-on formulations. Positioned as next-generation osmolyte in barrier-repair moisturizers.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Ectoin.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Typical Use Concentrations
Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.
| Product Category | Typical Range | Max Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | 0.1–2 | 5 | CIR/Industry |
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
acne
{"cas_number": "96702-03-3", "anti_acne_mechanism": "anti_inflammatory", "comedogenicity_rating_0_to_5": "0", "acne_type_efficacy": "inflammatory", "sebum_reduction_pct_clinical": "0-10", "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_restrictio…
antioxidant
{"cas_number": "96702-03-3", "antioxidant_class": "thiol", "chemical_subclass": "cyclic amino acid", "molecular_weight_daltons": "142.16", "orac_value_umol_te_per_g": "1200", "dpph_radical_scavenging_ic50_ug_per_ml": "35-60", "abts_trolox_equivalent": "not available", "singlet_oxygen_quenching": "not available", "superoxide_dismutase_mimetic": "not available", "hydroxyl_radical_scavenging": "not a…
cost_pricing
{"cost_tier": "luxury", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_low": "800", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_high": "1500", "natural_premium_markup_pct": "0", "organic_certified_premium_pct": "0", "supply_chain_volatility": "high", "primary_source_region": "Germany", "bulk_discount_threshold_kg": "1", "seasonal_price_variation": "low", "commodity_or_specialty": "specialty", "substitute_ingredients": "Trehalose, Bet…
depigmentation
{"cas_number": "96702-03-3", "ingredient_class": "anti_inflammatory_brightener", "primary_mechanism_of_action": "Extremolyte reducing inflammation-induced pigmentation", "secondary_mechanisms": "Variable", "molecular_target": "other", "tyrosinase_inhibition_IC50_uM": "varies", "tyrosinase_inhibition_type": "competitive", "melanin_reduction_pct_in_vitro": "25-45", "melanin_reduction_pct_clinical": …
humectant
{"cas_number": "96702-03-3", "ingredient_class": "humectant/osmolyte", "molecular_weight_Da": "142.16", "chemical_type": "amino_acid", "water_binding_mechanism": "hydrogen_bonding/osmotic", "water_holding_capacity_g_per_g": "0.6-0.9", "hygroscopicity_at_50_RH": "excellent", "hygroscopicity_at_80_RH": "excellent", "NMF_component": "no", "NMF_percentage_natural": "0", "TEWL_reduction_pct": "25-38", …
ph_stability
{"optimal_ph_min": "3.0", "optimal_ph_max": "9.0", "stable_ph_min": "3.0", "stable_ph_max": "10.0", "ph_dependent_function": "Extremolyte; very stable wide pH", "formulation_note": "Excellent stability profile", "source": "Formulation literature"}
pregnancy_detail
{"pregnancy_safe": "yes", "breastfeeding_safe": "yes", "risk_category": "not-rated", "reason": "Safe; extremophile-derived protective agent", "source": "dermatology literature"}
sensory
{"silky": "powdery", "smooth, glides easily": "smooth, protective", "dry-touch, non-greasy": "protected, hydrated", "instant": "fast", "low": "low", "w/o": "o/w", "very-high": "excellent", "no": "no", "yes": "no", "1.40": "1.52", "transparent": "opaque", "colorless": "white", "excellent": "excellent", "light": "light", "synthetic": "biotechnology"}
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Softener and conditioner
pH regulating agent
Regulatory List Membership (1)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Ectoin.
Regulatory Flags
active
extremolyte
osmoprotectant
membrane-stabilizer
anti-inflammatory
barrier-repair
uv-protective
thermal-stress-protection
fermentation-derived
natural-origin
sensitive-skin
atopic-dermatitis-target
next-gen-moisturizer
aquaporin-system
0.5-2pct-effective-dose
Known Synonyms
(4S)-3,4,5,6-Tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid
RonaCare
Pyrostatin B
(S)-2-methyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid
EC 431-910-1
Chemical Function
Softener and conditioner
pH regulating agent
Regulatory Lists
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed_with_terms
Specific information requirements: Obligations to provide information apply. These obligations are: 1. A person introducing this chemical must tell us in writing within 28 calendar days if any of the following circumstances have occurred in relation to their introduction (importation or manufacture): a. the concentration in cosmetic products is intended to...
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL1230264
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ectoin allowed in the EU?
Ectoin EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Ectoin do in cosmetics?
Ectoin functions as: skin-conditioning, osmoprotectant. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 96702-03-3.
Is Ectoin used outside cosmetics?
Ectoin also appears in pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Ectoin 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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