Is Lycopene safe in cosmetics?
Lycopene has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Lycopene
INCI: LYCOPENE
Lycopene (CAS 502-65-8 [^1_4]) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Antioxidant, colorant (CI 75125). EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 502-65-8 [^1_4] →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Antioxidant, colorant (CI 75125)
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted — GRAS status for food use (GRN 000119); no specific cosmetic restriction under 21 CFR
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Lycopene.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Lycopene, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
0.5-2%
Penetration Level
stratum-corneum
Penetration Depth
stratum corneum
Molecular Weight
536.9 Da
Log P
15.7
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
0.2-1%
Safety Margin Factor
minimal
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation
Source: Exp Dermatol 2001
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
anti_aging
{"anti_aging_claim": "antioxidant-protection, photoprotection", "mechanism_of_action": "Specialized bioactive mechanism", "target_skin_layer": "epidermis, dermis", "collagen_stimulation": "Mild", "elastin_protection": "Mild", "wrinkle_reduction_pct": "10-18", "clinical_study_duration_weeks": "12", "sample_size": "28", "double_blind": "Yes", "placebo_controlled": "Yes", "published_journal": "Specia…
anti_pollution
{"cas_number": "502-65-8", "ingredient_class": "blue_light_filter/antioxidant_pollution_shield", "primary_mechanism": "free_radical_scavenging", "pollution_types_targeted": "blue_light_HEV/UV_A/PM2_5/ozone", "blue_light_absorption_range_nm": "440-500", "blue_light_protection_factor": "High", "HEV_screening_efficacy_pct": "75-85", "IR_A_protection": "no", "visible_light_protection": "yes", "digital…
antioxidant
{"cas_number": "502-65-8", "antioxidant_class": "carotenoid", "chemical_subclass": "tetraterpene", "molecular_weight_daltons": "536.87", "orac_value_umol_te_per_g": "3150", "dpph_radical_scavenging_ic50_ug_per_ml": "8-16", "abts_trolox_equivalent": "1.2", "singlet_oxygen_quenching": "very high", "superoxide_dismutase_mimetic": "low", "hydroxyl_radical_scavenging": "high", "lipid_peroxidation_inhib…
depigmentation
{"cas_number": "502-65-8", "ingredient_class": "combined_mechanism", "primary_mechanism_of_action": "Synthetic or isolated bioactive with melanin reduction properties", "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": "…
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "536.9", "log_p_value": "15.7", "skin_penetration_level": "stratum-corneum", "penetration_depth": "stratum corneum", "absorption_pct": "0.5-2", "systemic_absorption": "minimal", "penetration_enhancer": "no", "occlusion_effect": "yes", "vehicle_dependent": "yes", "skin_barrier_effect": "strengthens", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "0.2-1", "safety_margin_factor": "minimal", …
ph_stability
{"optimal_ph_min": "4.0", "optimal_ph_max": "8.0", "stable_ph_min": "3.5", "stable_ph_max": "9.0", "ph_dependent_function": "Carotenoid antioxidant", "formulation_note": "Lipophilic; oxidizes easily", "source": "Formulation literature"}
pregnancy_detail
{"pregnancy_safe": "yes", "breastfeeding_safe": "yes", "risk_category": "not-rated", "reason": "Safe; carotenoid antioxidant", "source": "dermatology literature"}
self_tanning
{"cas_number": "502-65-8", "ingredient_class": "instant_bronzer", "tanning_mechanism": "cosmetic_colorant", "color_development_onset_hours": "0.0", "full_color_development_hours": "0", "color_duration_days": "0", "color_depth": "light", "undertone": "warm_golden", "DHA_concentration_if_applicable_pct": "0", "erythrulose_concentration_pct": "0", "pH_dependent_color": "no", "formaldehyde_release_con…
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Lycopene.
Regulatory Flags
colorant
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lycopene allowed in the EU?
Lycopene EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Lycopene do in cosmetics?
Lycopene functions as: Antioxidant, colorant (CI 75125). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 502-65-8 [^1_4].
Compliance Tools
Check Lycopene 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
Related Ingredients
Acid Blue 9
Excellent
Same category
Colorant, Hair Dyeing
Acid Blue 9 Aluminum Lake
Excellent
Same category
Colorant
Anthocyanins
Excellent
Same category
Colorant
Beta Vulgaris Extract
Excellent
Same category
Skin Conditioning, Colorant (betalain...
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Excellent
Same category
Skin Conditioning, Colorant (betanin/...
Beta Vulgaris Root Powder
Excellent
Same category
Skin conditioning, natural colorant, ...
1-Methylhydantoin-2-imide (Creatinine)
Excellent
Similar safety
Skin conditioning (skin brightening/l...
2,6-Dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol (Dihydromyrcenol)
Excellent
Similar safety
Fragrance (perfuming), masking
2-Ethoxy-2,6,6-Trimethyl-9-Methylenebicyclo[3.3.1]Nonane (Boisiris™)
Excellent
Similar safety
Fragrance (rich woody, orris/iris roo...
2-Hydroxypropylcarbamato Amodimethicone
Excellent
Similar safety
Hair conditioning; modified aminosili...
2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Excellent
Similar safety
Softener and conditioner
3 O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Excellent
Similar safety
Antioxidant; tyrosinase inhibitor; me...
CI 75125 (Lycopene)
Good
Chemical family
Colorant. Natural carotenoid pigment ...
Citronellic Acid
Good
Chemical family
Fragrance ingredient; skin conditioning
Epsilon-Caprolactone
Moderate
Chemical family
Solvent / monomer used as a precursor...
Is Lycopene in Your Products?
Scan any product label with Piro — our free ingredient scanner. Point your camera at the ingredients list and get instant safety scores for every ingredient.
Try Piro Free →Analyze Your Full Ingredient List
Paste any INCI list into the Decoder for instant safety analysis, or calculate the Margin of Safety for Lycopene in your formulation.