Is Isopropanol safe in cosmetics?
Isopropanol has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Isopropanol
Also known as: Isopropyl alcohol, 2-Propanol, 4-01-00-01461, Alcosolve, Arquad DMCB (+15 more)
INCI: ISOPROPANOL
Isopropanol (CAS 67-63-0) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Solvent, Antifoaming, Cosmetic Astringent, Viscosity Decreasing. Reported NOAEL 100 mg/kg bw/day in rat (COSMOS_DB); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted; GHS signal word DANGER. 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 67-63-0 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Isopropanol is classified GHS Danger (H225, H319, H336, H335, H361, H370, H372, H373) 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, Antifoaming, Cosmetic Astringent, Viscosity Decreasing
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
propan-2-ol
InChIKey
KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Widely used in aftershave, nail care, hair products; generally regarded as safe at typical cosmetic concentrations; WHO reviewed and confirmed low risk to general population
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Isopropanol.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for Isopropanol. 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 | 100 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Multigeneration Reproductive | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 466 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rabbit | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 480 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rabbit | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 601 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Special Toxicology Study | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 625 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rabbit | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 800 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Reproductive | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 1200 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 1250 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 1280 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 2000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Multigeneration Reproductive | COSMOS_DB |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Signal Word
DANGER
Pictograms
FlamFlameExcl markWarn
Hazard Statements
Highly flammable liquid and vapour Causes serious eye irritation May cause drowsiness or dizziness
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system. Exposure far above the OEL could cause unconsciousness.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dryness and cracking.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEL | =49158.5 mg/m3 | Human | inhalation | - | DOE Protective Action Criteria |
| NOAEL | =240 mg/kg-day | Rabbit | oral | short-term | EFSA |
| LD50 | =5840 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =491.585 mg/m3 | Human | inhalation | acute | Cal OEHHA REL derivations |
| NOAEL | =240 mg/kg-day | Rabbit | oral | short-term | EFSA |
| NOAEL | =1238.79 mg/m3 | Mouse | inhalation | chronic | Cal OEHHA REL derivations |
| NOAEL | =1238.79 mg/m3 | Rat | inhalation | chronic | Cal OEHHA REL derivations |
| LC50 | =29495.1 mg/m3 | Rat | inhalation | acute | NIOSH IDLH |
| NOEL | =10 mmol/kg | Rat | oral | short-term | ECOTOX |
| LC50 | =78653.6 mg/m3 | Rat | inhalation | - | ChemIDplus |
IARC Carcinogenicity
International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) monograph evaluation.
IARC Group
3
Volume
15, Sup 7, 71
Evaluation Year
1998
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
FlammableHarmful / Irritant
Hazard Class and Category
Flam. Liq. 2; STOT SE 3; Eye Irrit. 2
Hazard Statements
- H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
- H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
- H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
Sensitization AOP Dashboard
Adverse Outcome Pathway data across 5 assays (DPRA, KeratinoSens, hCLAT, LLNA, NESIL) aggregated from public sources.
DPRA Cys %
1%
DPRA Lys %
0.5%
KeratinoSens IC50
2000 µM
hCLAT CV75
3500 µg/mL
LLNA EC3
50%
NESIL
12500 µg/cm²
LLNA: Weak (1B)
GHS: 1B
Source: LLNA: Gerberick et al. (2005); DPRA: Bauch et al. 2011 [DOI:10.1016/j.tiv.2011.05.030] | Joint Research Centre of the European Union 2013; KS: Natsch et al. 2013 [DOI:10.1002/jat.2868] | Bauch et al. 2011 [DOI:10.1016/j.tiv.2011.05.030]; hCLAT: Bauch et al. 2011 [DOI:10.1016/j.tiv.2011.05.030] | Ashikaga et al. 2010 [DOI:10.1177/026119291003800403]
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100,000 - 1,000,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
Additional Ingredient Properties
1 property record from structured ingredient metadata.
pediatric_safety
{"safe_for_newborn_0_6m": "avoid", "safe_for_infant_6_12m": "caution", "safe_for_toddler_1_3y": "caution", "safe_for_child_3_12y": "yes", "safe_for_teen_12_18y": "yes", "pediatric_max_concentration_pct": "0.0", "adult_max_concentration_pct": "70.0", "pediatric_dermal_absorption_factor": "very high", "immature_skin_barrier_risk": "very high", "oral_ingestion_risk": "moderate", "eye_irritation_risk"…
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (7)
Carcinogen Classification
Not listed by IARC. IARC classified aluminum production as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), but did not implicate aluminum itself as a human carcinogen. (L135) A link between use of aluminum-containing antiperspirants and increased risk of breast cancer has been proposed (A235), but studies have not been able to establish a clear link (A15468).
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
Carcinogen Classification
3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. (L135)
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
Carcinogen Classification
Isopropyl alcohol | Group 3: Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans | Volume 15: (1977) Some Fumigants, the Herbicides 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, Chlorinated Dibenzodioxins and Miscellaneous Industrial Chemicals | Volume Sup 7: Overall Evaluations of Carcinogenicity: An Updating of IARC Monographs Volumes 1 to 42, 1987; 440 pages; ISBN 92-832-1411-0 (out of print) | Volume 71: (1999) Re-eval
Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Evidence for Carcinogenicity
Evaluation: There is inadequate evidence for the carcinogenicity of isopropanol in humans. There is inadequate evidence for the carcinogenicity of isopropanol in experimental animals. Overall evaluation: Isopropanol is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3). | A4; Not classifiable as a human carcinogen.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Endocrine Disruptors
Potential endocrine disrupting compound
Source: NORMAN Suspect List Exchange
Regulatory (2)
JECFA Number
277
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
JECFA Evaluation
ISOPROPANOL | 1998 | No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent | TRS 891-JECFA 51/59 | FAS 42-JECFA 51/235
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Biocide
Cleaning agent
Corrosion inhibitor
Defoamer
Degradant/impurity
Demulsifier
Diluent
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
No specific technical function
Regulatory List Membership (4)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Consumer Product Chemical
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Isopropanol.
Regulatory Flags
solvent
astringent
antimicrobial
alcohol
epa_safer_alternative
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Isopropanol by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
10
Lowest NOAEL
100 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
2000 mg/kg bw/day
COSMOS_DB
Known Synonyms
Isopropyl alcohol
2-Propanol
4-01-00-01461
Alcosolve
Arquad DMCB
BRN 0635639
Caswell No. 507
EINECS 200-661-7
FEMA No. 2929
FEMA Number 2929
Isopropyl alcohol, rubbing
Lavacol
i-Propyl alcohol
Spectrar
Alcool isopropilico
Alcool isopropylique
i-Propylalkohol
Iso-propylalkohol
UNII-ND2M416302
Alkolave
Chemical Function
Solvent
Regulatory Lists
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
drinking_water; Europe; manufacturing; plastic_additive
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
air; Arts and crafts/Office supplies - fabric treatment and dye; Arts and crafts/Office supplies - home office - pens and markers; detected; emissions; Europe
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
consumer_product; Europe
Europe; Vehicle - car interior
Europe; Vehicle - car interior
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Vehicle - car interior
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Vehicle - car interior
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Vehicle - car interior
Cleaning products and household care - oven - oven cleaner; Europe
detected; Europe; Personal care - liniment
Europe; Personal care - liniment
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Personal care - liniment
Europe; Personal care - liniment
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods
fracking; water
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Isopropanol allowed in the EU?
Isopropanol EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Isopropanol do in cosmetics?
Isopropanol functions as: Solvent, Antifoaming, Cosmetic Astringent, Viscosity Decreasing. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 67-63-0.
What is the NOAEL for Isopropanol?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Isopropanol is 100 mg/kg bw/day based on a Multigeneration Reproductive study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.
Is Isopropanol classified as hazardous under GHS?
Isopropanol carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Highly flammable liquid and vapour Causes serious eye irritation May cause drowsiness or dizziness. This classification is based on the ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Card and ECHA C&L inventory data. Note: GHS classification applies to the pure substance — at cosmetic use concentrations, hazard thresholds may not be met.
Is Isopropanol used outside cosmetics?
Isopropanol also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Isopropanol have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Isopropanol is classified GHS Danger (H225, H319, H336, H335, H361, H370, H372, H373) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Isopropanol compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
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