Is Methyl Pyrrolidone safe in cosmetics?
Methyl Pyrrolidone has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: prohibited. US status: prohibited. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Methyl Pyrrolidone
Also known as: 2-Pyrrolidinone, 1-methyl-, EINECS 212-828-1, N-Methylpyrrolidinone, 1-Methylpyrrolidinone, UNII-JR9CE63FPM (+5 more)
INCI: METHYL PYRROLIDONE (N-METHYL-2-PYRROLIDONE, NMP)
Methyl Pyrrolidone (CAS 872-50-4) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Solvent, surfactant; enhances dermal absorption of other cosmetic ingredients. NOAEL 125 mg/kg bw/day (PDF-verified against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: prohibited, max 5%; GHS signal word WARNING. 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 872-50-4 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Methyl Pyrrolidone is prohibited in EU cosmetics at max 5% but has active industrial GHS classifications (H315, H319, H335, H360, H360D, H227, H361, H372).
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status/eu_max; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Solvent, surfactant; enhances dermal absorption of other cosmetic ingredients
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
1-methylpyrrolidin-2-one
InChIKey
SECXISVLQFMRJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
prohibited
EU Max Conc.
5%
US US Status
prohibited
US Notes
Not explicitly banned by FDA for cosmetics, but listed by US EPA and California Proposition 65 as a developmental toxin
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Methyl Pyrrolidone.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for Methyl Pyrrolidone. 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 | =169 mg/kg bw | oral | - | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad35 |
| NOAEL | =217 mg/kg bw | - | - | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad35 |
| NOAEL | =237 mg/kg bw | - | - | Developmental toxicity | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad35 |
| NOAEL | =237 mg/kg bw/day | - | - | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad35 |
| NOAEL | =250 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Dog | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad35 |
| NOAEL | =429 mg/kg bw | - | - | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad35 |
| NOAEL | =514 mg/kg bw | - | - | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad35 |
| NOAEL | =2500 mg/kg diet | oral | Mouse | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad35 |
| NOAEL | =6000 mg/kg diet | oral | Rat | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad35 |
| NOAEL | =14.8 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | developmental toxicity | SCCS_vision_codex |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Signal Word
WARNING
Pictograms
Excl markWarnCancerHealth haz
Hazard Statements
Combustible liquid May be harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye irritation May cause respiratory irritation Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. The substance is mildly irritating to the skin. Exposure to very high concentrations could cause lowering of consciousness.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. Animal tests show that this substance possibly causes toxic effects upon human reproduction.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Methyl Pyrrolidone across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
Health HazardHarmful / Irritant
Hazard Class and Category
Repr. 1B; STOT SE 3; Skin Irrit. 2; Eye Irrit. 2
Hazard Statements
- H360D ***
- H335 May cause respiratory irritation
- H315 Causes skin irritation
- H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Specific Concentration Limits / M-factors
STOT SE 3; H335: C ≥ 10.0%
Inserted via ATP: ATP09
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10,000 - 100,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
Yes (since 20-Jun-2011)
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
SVHC reason: Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c)
Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC)
Included: 20-Jun-2011
Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c)
EU CosIng Annex Listing
European Commission CosIng database Annex references per Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Annex II — Prohibited
Ref: 1393
(EU) 2019/831
CMR: Reprotoxic Cat. 1B()
Expanded Jurisdictional Detail
Additional regulatory detail beyond the 7-jurisdiction summary: Saudi SFDA, Korea MFDS, ASEAN ACD, Japan/Korea, Brazil/India, and cross-jurisdictional restriction entries.
SA Saudi SFDA (II - Prohibited)
ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (II)
Ref: 1393
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
India: Prohibited (GNRAS)
Expanded Dermal Absorption Data
Cross-database dermal penetration: EPA Dryad physics-based, Roberts Mendeley permeation, and SCCS-aggregated measured values.
Aggregated DA Values (1 records across 5 sources)
| Type | DA % | Method | Skin Model | SCCS Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| measured_sccs_opinion | 100.0% | - | - | SCCS/1413/11 |
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (4)
Carcinogen Classification
No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
Endocrine Disruptors
Potential endocrine disrupting compound
Source: NORMAN Suspect List Exchange
ICSC Safety Card
0513
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
The substance is irritating to the eyes and skin.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Binder
Diluent
Film former
Flow promoter
Solubility enhancer
Solvent
UV stabilizer
Regulatory List Membership (4)
California Proposition 65 (OEHHA)
EU Banned in Cosmetics
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Methyl Pyrrolidone.
Regulatory Flags
prop65
eu_banned_cosmetics
eu_cosing_listed
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Methyl Pyrrolidone by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
105
Lowest NOAEL
14.8
Highest NOAEL
7500
Units vary across source rows: mg/kg bw/day, mg/kg, mg/kg bw
SCCS_vision_codex
INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad35
Dermal Absorption
View details ->| Absorption % | Method | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 100.0% | SCCS opinion extraction | - |
Known Synonyms
2-Pyrrolidinone, 1-methyl-
EINECS 212-828-1
N-Methylpyrrolidinone
1-Methylpyrrolidinone
UNII-JR9CE63FPM
N-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinone
N-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidone
N-methyl-gamma-butyrolactam
NMP
N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one
Chemical Function
Solvent
Binder
UV stabilizer
Film former
Regulatory Lists
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods
active_ingredient; animal_products; Europe; pharmaceutical; residue
air; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Furniture and Furnishings
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts paint; Europe
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - fabric treatment and dye; detected
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
detected; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods
detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods; water
Canada; pharmaceutical
banned; Europe; Personal care
Cleaning products and household care - oven - oven cleaner; Europe
Europe; Specialty occupational products
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
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
METHYLPYRROLIDONE
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL12543
Max Phase
1
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Methyl Pyrrolidone allowed in the EU?
Methyl Pyrrolidone EU regulatory status: prohibited. Maximum allowed concentration: 5%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Methyl Pyrrolidone do in cosmetics?
Methyl Pyrrolidone functions as: Solvent, surfactant; enhances dermal absorption of other cosmetic ingredients. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 872-50-4.
What is the NOAEL for Methyl Pyrrolidone?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Methyl Pyrrolidone is =169 mg/kg bw based on a Toxicology study study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad35.
Is Methyl Pyrrolidone classified as hazardous under GHS?
Methyl Pyrrolidone carries a GHS signal word of "WARNING". Hazard statements: Combustible liquid May be harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye irritation May cause respiratory irritation Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child. 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 Methyl Pyrrolidone used outside cosmetics?
Methyl Pyrrolidone 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 Methyl Pyrrolidone have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Methyl Pyrrolidone is prohibited in EU cosmetics at max 5% but has active industrial GHS classifications (H315, H319, H335, H360, H360D, H227, H361, H372).
Compliance Tools
Check Methyl Pyrrolidone 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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