Is L-Glutamic Acid safe in cosmetics?
L-Glutamic Acid has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 2 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
L-Glutamic Acid
Also known as: Acidum glutaminicum, L-2-Aminoglutaric acid, 2-Aminopentanedioic acid, (S)-, EINECS 200-293-7, FEMA No. 3285 (+15 more)
INCI: GLUTAMIC ACID
L-Glutamic Acid (CAS 56-86-0) is a cosmetic humectant functioning as Enzymatically converts to pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA), the largest single. NOAEL 1000 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 56-86-0 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
L-Glutamic Acid is classified GHS Danger (H314, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Enzymatically converts to pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA), the largest single component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). Ion-pair formulations with L-arginine enhance percutaneous absorption.
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
(2S)-2-aminopentanedioic acid
InChIKey
WHUUTDBJXJRKMK-VKHMYHEASA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
FDA GRAS status; CIR-assessed safe as used in cosmetics.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for L-Glutamic Acid.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
2 study endpoints found for L-Glutamic Acid. 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 | 5000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 10000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for L-Glutamic Acid across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
5 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | =3200 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | - | EFSA |
| LD50 | >2000 mg/kg | Rat | dermal | acute | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | >5110 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | >2300 mg/kg | Rabbit | oral | - | ChemIDplus |
| LD50 | >30000 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ChemIDplus |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100 - 1,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Additional Ingredient Properties
3 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
acne
{"cas_number": "56-86-0", "anti_acne_mechanism": "anti_inflammatory", "comedogenicity_rating_0_to_5": "0", "acne_type_efficacy": "inflammatory", "sebum_reduction_pct_clinical": "0-5", "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_restriction_ac…
anti_aging
{"anti_aging_claim": "hydration-plumping, barrier-repair", "mechanism_of_action": "Building block for proteins, NMF component", "target_skin_layer": "epidermis", "collagen_stimulation": "Mild", "elastin_protection": "Mild", "wrinkle_reduction_pct": "6-12", "clinical_study_duration_weeks": "8", "sample_size": "25", "double_blind": "Yes", "placebo_controlled": "Yes", "published_journal": "Int J Cosm…
solubility_hlb
{"water_soluble": "yes", "oil_soluble": "no", "soluble_in": "water, glycerin, propylene glycol", "insoluble_in": "oils, ethanol, silicones", "log_p": "-3.6", "melting_point_c": "247", "appearance": "white powder", "source": "Ajinomoto"}
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (1)
Carcinogen Classification
No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
Regulatory (3)
JECFA Number
1420
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
JECFA Evaluation
L-GLUTAMIC ACID | 2004 | NOT SPECIFIED (1987) | No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. Not evaluated using the Procedure for the Safety Evaluation of Flavouring Agents; the substance is a macronutrient and a normal component of protein and, as such, human exposure through food is orders of magnitude higher than the anticipated level of exposure from use as a
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
EU Food Improvement
Food additives
Source: EU Food Improvement Agents
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-static agent
Flavouring and nutrient
Humectant
Softener and conditioner
pH regulating agent
Regulatory List Membership (1)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for L-Glutamic Acid.
Regulatory Flags
fda_food_additive
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to L-Glutamic Acid by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
17
Lowest NOAEL
1000 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
10000 mg/kg bw/day
COSMOS_DB
ECHA_REACH_reach_study_results_dossiers_23-05-2023.zip
Known Synonyms
Acidum glutaminicum
L-2-Aminoglutaric acid
2-Aminopentanedioic acid, (S)-
EINECS 200-293-7
FEMA No. 3285
Glutamate, L-
Glutamic acid (H-3)
Glutamic acid, (S)-
D-Glutamiensuur
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 374350
Acidum glutamicum
UNII-3KX376GY7L
(2S)-2-Aminopentanedioate
(S)-(+)-Glutamate
(S)-2-Aminopentanedioate
(S)-Glutamate
1-Amino-propane-1,3-dicarboxylate
1-Amino-propane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid
1-Aminopropane-1,3-dicarboxylate
2-Aminoglutarate
Chemical Function
Humectant
Anti-static agent
Softener and conditioner
pH regulating agent
Flavouring and nutrient
Regulatory Lists
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
active_ingredient; agricultural; applied; Pesticides
active_ingredient; agricultural; applied; Pesticides
Canada; pharmaceutical
active_ingredient; agricultural; applied; Pesticides
active_ingredient; agricultural; applied; Pesticides
active_ingredient; agricultural; applied; Pesticides
active_ingredient; agricultural; applied; Pesticides
Canada; Personal care; Substances in PCP - Canada (4/2014)
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
active_ingredient; agricultural; Pesticides
active_ingredient; agricultural; applied; fruits_and_vegetables; Pesticides
active_ingredient; agricultural; Pesticides
active_ingredient; agricultural; Pesticides
active_ingredient; agricultural; Pesticides
active_ingredient; agricultural; Pesticides
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
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.
Compound
GLUTAMIC ACID
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL575060
Max Phase
3
Adverse Event Associations
2
Frequently Asked Questions
Is L-Glutamic Acid allowed in the EU?
L-Glutamic Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does L-Glutamic Acid do in cosmetics?
L-Glutamic Acid functions as: Enzymatically converts to pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA), the largest single component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). Ion-pair formulations with L-arginine enhance percutaneous absorption.. It is classified as a Humectant in our database. CAS number: 56-86-0.
What is the NOAEL for L-Glutamic Acid?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for L-Glutamic Acid is 5000 mg/kg bw/day based on a Developmental study via oral route in mouse. A total of 2 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.
Is L-Glutamic Acid used outside cosmetics?
L-Glutamic Acid 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.
Does L-Glutamic Acid have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
L-Glutamic Acid is classified GHS Danger (H314, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check L-Glutamic Acid 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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