Is Isooctane safe in cosmetics?
Isooctane has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Isooctane
Also known as: iso-Octane, 4-01-00-00439, BRN 1696876, EINECS 208-759-1, UNII-QAB8F5669O (+1 more)
INCI: ISOOCTANE
Isooctane (CAS 540-84-1) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Solvent; viscosity decreasing agent. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. 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 540-84-1 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Isooctane is classified GHS Danger (H225, H304, H315, H336, H400, H410, H224, H302) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu status; Chemicals: ghs classifications.signal word/hazard statement code
Function
Solvent; viscosity decreasing agent
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
2,2,4-trimethylpentane
InChIKey
NHTMVDHEPJAVLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Allowed; CIR Expert Panel concluded safe for cosmetic use; also permitted as synthetic isoparaffinic petroleum hydrocarbon in certain food-contact applications
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Isooctane.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the kidneys, liver and nervous system. If this liquid is swallowed, aspiration into the lungs may result in chemical pneumonitis.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance defats the skin, which may cause dryness or cracking.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and by ingestion.
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
1,000 - 10,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (3)
Carcinogen Classification
2,2,4-Trimethylpentane is found in gasoline, which is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). (L135)
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
Evidence for Carcinogenicity
Male rat-specific kidney tumors can occur after exposures to a structurally diverse group of substances or their metabolites. This arises from binding to α2u, a low-molecular-weight protein. Examples of these substances include 1,4-dichlorobenzene (and -2,5-dichlorophenol, its metabolite), d-limonene (and d-limonene 2-5-oxide, its metabolite), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), 2,2,4-trimethylpentane
Source: Pertti (Bert) Hakkinen's Toxicology and Other Annotations
ICSC Safety Card
0496
Source: WHO/JECFA
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Solvent
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Isooctane.
Regulatory Flags
potential-allergen
Known Synonyms
iso-Octane
4-01-00-00439
BRN 1696876
EINECS 208-759-1
UNII-QAB8F5669O
(CH3)2CHCH2C(CH3)3
Chemical Function
Solvent
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Isooctane allowed in the EU?
Isooctane EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Isooctane do in cosmetics?
Isooctane functions as: Solvent; viscosity decreasing agent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 540-84-1.
Is Isooctane used outside cosmetics?
Isooctane also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Isooctane have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Isooctane is classified GHS Danger (H225, H304, H315, H336, H400, H410, H224, H302) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Isooctane 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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