Is Magnesium Oxide safe in cosmetics?
Magnesium Oxide has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Magnesium Oxide
Also known as: Magnesium oxide (MgO), Akro-mag, Calcined brucite, EINECS 215-171-9, Granmag (+15 more)
INCI: MAGNESIUM OXIDE
Magnesium Oxide (CAS 1309-48-4) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Bulking agent, absorbent, pH adjuster, opacifying 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 and pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 1309-48-4 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Bulking agent, absorbent, pH adjuster, opacifying agent
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
oxomagnesium
InChIKey
CPLXHLVBOLITMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Delisted as color additive (formerly exempt from certification); permitted as general cosmetic ingredient
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Magnesium Oxide.
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.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of dust or fume.
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (3)
Evidence for Carcinogenicity
A4: Not classifiable as a human carcinogen.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
ICSC Safety Card
0504
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
Irritates the eyes and respiratory tract. Magnesium in the form of nascent magnesium oxide can cause metal fume fever with cough, chest pain, and flu like fever, if inhaled in sufficient quantity. The symptoms of metal fume fever may be delayed for 4-12 hr following exposure. | Examination of 95 workers exposed to an unspecified concentration of MgO dust revealed slight iritation of the eyes and n
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Regulatory (2)
JECFA Evaluation
MAGNESIUM OXIDE | 1965 | NOT LIMITED | NMRS 40/TRS 339-JECFA 9/16 | FAS 67.29/NMRS 40A,B,C-JECFA 9/159
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
Absorbent
Anti-caking agent
Binder
Catalyst
Chemical reaction regulator
Degradant/impurity
Drier
Filler
Flame retardant
Flavouring and nutrient
Regulatory List Membership (2)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Magnesium Oxide.
Regulatory Flags
epa_safer_alternative
fda_food_additive
jecfa_safe
Known Synonyms
Magnesium oxide (MgO)
Akro-mag
Calcined brucite
EINECS 215-171-9
Granmag
Heavy calcined magnesia
Heavy magnesia
Heavy magnesium oxide
Light magnesia
Magchem 100
Magnesia monoxide
Magox OP
Periclase
Seasorb
Seawater magnesia
KMACH-F
Uro-Mag
Magnezu tlenek
UNII-3A3U0GI71G
Magmilax bolus
Chemical Function
Absorbent
pH regulating agent
Opacifer
Regulatory Lists
drinking_water; Europe; manufacturing; plastic_additive
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
active_ingredient; animal_products; Europe; pharmaceutical; residue
Europe; supplements
Europe; food_additive; supplements
fracking
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
SCIL (9/2019)
Canada; pharmaceutical
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
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
MAGNESIUM OXIDE
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL1200572
Max Phase
4
Adverse Event Associations
6099
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Magnesium Oxide allowed in the EU?
Magnesium Oxide EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Magnesium Oxide do in cosmetics?
Magnesium Oxide functions as: Bulking agent, absorbent, pH adjuster, opacifying agent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 1309-48-4.
Is Magnesium Oxide used outside cosmetics?
Magnesium Oxide 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 Magnesium Oxide 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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