Is Kaolin safe in cosmetics?
Kaolin has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Kaolin
Also known as: Hydrated aluminum silicate, Altowhites, Arcilla blanca, Argilla alba, Bentone (+15 more)
INCI: KAOLIN
Kaolin (CAS 1332-58-7) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as absorbent, opacifier, viscosity-increasing, bulking. NOAEL 2500 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); 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 and pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 1332-58-7 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
absorbent, opacifier, viscosity-increasing, bulking
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
EC Number
310-194-1
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
FDA OTC Skin Protectant active ingredient (Monograph M016, 21 CFR 347.10) at 4-20%. Also approved as anorectal protectant (21 CFR 346.14). GRAS as indirect food additive for food-contact paper/paperboard (21 CFR 186.1256). Not classified as sunscreen active.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Kaolin.
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.
Hazard Statements
No hazard classification according to GHS criteria
Short-term Exposure Effects
May cause mechanical irritation.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Lungs may be affected by repeated or prolongated exposure to dust particles. This may result in fibrosis (kaolinosis).
Routes of Exposure
Exposure mainly occurs via inhalation.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Kaolin across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
2 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LD50 | ~6300 mg/kg | Guinea Pig | dermal | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | >2000 mg/kg | Rat | dermal | acute | ECHA IUCLID |
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
acne
{"cas_number": "1332-58-7", "anti_acne_mechanism": "sebum_regulation", "comedogenicity_rating_0_to_5": "1", "acne_type_efficacy": "non_inflammatory", "sebum_reduction_pct_clinical": "20-30", "prescription_required_usa": "No", "otc_drug_monograph_category": "No", "max_otc_concentration_pct": "No limit", "japan_quasi_drug_anti_acne": "Yes", "korea_functional_cosmetic_acne": "Yes", "eu_cosmetic_restr…
anti_pollution
{"cas_number": "1332-58-7", "ingredient_class": "anti_pollution/particulate_matter_barrier", "primary_mechanism": "barrier_reinforcement", "pollution_types_targeted": "PM2_5/PM10/urban_dust", "IR_A_protection": "no", "visible_light_protection": "no", "digital_screen_protection_claim": "no", "PM2_5_adhesion_reduction_pct": "60-75", "heavy_metal_chelation_capacity": "Moderate", "PAH_neutralization":…
comedogenicity_detail
{"comedogenicity_rating": "0", "irritancy_rating": "0", "skin_type_suitability": "all,oily,combination,normal,acne-prone", "acne_safe": "yes", "source": "Clay - absorbent"}
deodorant
{"cas_number": "1332-58-7", "ingredient_class": "sweat_absorber", "mechanism_of_action": "odor_absorption", "antiperspirant_efficacy_sweat_reduction_pct": "0-10", "deodorant_efficacy_hours": "6-12", "odor_reduction_pct": "30-50", "bacteriostatic": "no", "bactericidal": "no", "microbiome_impact": "neutral", "axillary_microbiome_effect": "minimal", "astringency_level": "low", "sweat_absorption_capac…
depigmentation
{"cas_number": "1332-58-7", "ingredient_class": "other", "primary_mechanism_of_action": "Mineral active providing UV protection or exfoliation preventing/treating hyperpigmentation", "secondary_mechanisms": "Variable", "molecular_target": "other", "tyrosinase_inhibition_IC50_uM": "varies", "tyrosinase_inhibition_type": "competitive", "melanin_reduction_pct_in_vitro": "25-45", "melanin_reduction_pc…
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "no", "biodegradation_days": "non-biodegradable", "bioaccumulative": "no", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "low", "coral_reef_safe": "yes", "marine_toxicity": "very low toxicity", "freshwater_toxicity": "minimal impact", "soil_toxicity": "clay mineral", "endocrine_disruptor": "no", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "no", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "no", "hawaii_banned": "no",…
mineral_clay
{"cas_number": "1332-58-7", "ingredient_class": "kaolin", "chemical_formula": "Al2Si2O5(OH)4", "mineral_origin": "natural", "particle_size_range_um": "0.2-5.0", "surface_area_m2_per_g": "10-20", "crystal_structure": "triclinic", "color_appearance": "white/off-white", "opacity": "opaque", "refractive_index": "1.56", "oil_absorption_g_per_100g": "30-50", "water_absorption_capacity": "40-60%", "swell…
polymer
{"cas_number": "1332-58-7", "ingredient_class": "opacifier/texture_modifier", "polymer_type": "other", "chemical_backbone": "other", "ionic_character": "nonionic", "pH_viscosity_sensitivity": "moderate", "salt_tolerance": "moderate", "electrolyte_effect_on_viscosity": "moderate", "temperature_viscosity_sensitivity": "moderate", "film_transparency": "transparent", "removability": "easy", "flyaway_r…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Abrasive
Absorbent
Anti-adhesive/cohesive
Anti-caking agent
Binder
Biocide
Conductive agent
Defoamer
Dye
Filler
Regulatory List Membership (3)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Kaolin.
Regulatory Flags
eu-unrestricted
cir-approved
no-sccs-opinion
natural-origin
epa_safer_alternative
Known Synonyms
Hydrated aluminum silicate
Altowhites
Arcilla blanca
Argilla alba
Bentone
BOL Blanc
Emathlite
Fitrol desiccite 25
Hydrite
Kaolin colloidal
Kaopaous
Kaophills-2
Langford
Light kaolin
Mcnamee
Parclay
Snow tex
White bole
beta Coat
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 100104
Chemical Function
Filler
Abrasive
Surface modifier
Absorbent
Thickening agent
Regulatory Lists
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
Canada; Personal care; Substances in PCP - Canada (4/2014)
Journal of Chemical Engineering & Process Technology
Food contact items
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA count match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Adverse Event Associations
65
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kaolin allowed in the EU?
Kaolin EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Kaolin do in cosmetics?
Kaolin functions as: absorbent, opacifier, viscosity-increasing, bulking. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 1332-58-7.
Is Kaolin used outside cosmetics?
Kaolin also appears in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Kaolin 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
Similar safety
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(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
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CI 77004 (Kaolin)
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Chemical family
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