Is Microcrystalline Cellulose safe in cosmetics?
Microcrystalline Cellulose has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Excellent
Cosmetic Ingredient
Microcrystalline Cellulose
Also known as: Sigmacell, α-Cellulose, beta-Amylose, Arbocell B 600/30, EINECS 232-674-9 (+9 more)
INCI: MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE
Microcrystalline Cellulose (CAS 9004-34-6) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Abrasive, bulking agent, stabilizer, gentle exfoliant. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in pharmaceutical and food safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 9004-34-6 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Abrasive, bulking agent, stabilizer, gentle exfoliant
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Not a synthetic polymer; not covered by Microbead-Free Waters Act; FDA permitted in various applications
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Microcrystalline Cellulose.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOEL | =10 % diet | Rat | oral | chronic | ECOTOX |
| NOEL | =10 % diet | Rat | oral | chronic | ECOTOX |
| LC50 | >5.8 mg/L | Rat | inhalation | - | ChemIDplus |
| LD50 | >2000 mg/kg | Rabbit | dermal | - | ChemIDplus |
| LD50 | >5000 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ChemIDplus |
Additional Ingredient Properties
7 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
biopolymer
{"cas_number": "9004-34-6", "polymer_class": "cellulose_derivative", "botanical_source": "Wood pulp (partially depolymerized)", "molecular_weight_range_kDa": "36-200", "monosaccharide_composition": "crystalline glucose polymers", "degree_of_branching": "linear", "charge_type": "nonionic", "viscosity_1pct_solution_mPas": "insoluble", "pseudoplastic_behavior": "not_applicable", "thixotropy": "not_ap…
cost_pricing
{"cost_tier": "budget", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_low": "8", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_high": "15", "natural_premium_markup_pct": "0", "organic_certified_premium_pct": "0", "supply_chain_volatility": "low", "primary_source_region": "Global", "bulk_discount_threshold_kg": "500", "seasonal_price_variation": "low", "commodity_or_specialty": "commodity", "substitute_ingredients": "Cellulose, HEC", "…
deodorant
{"cas_number": "9004-34-6", "ingredient_class": "sweat_absorber", "mechanism_of_action": "odor_absorption", "antiperspirant_efficacy_sweat_reduction_pct": "0", "deodorant_efficacy_hours": "8-12", "odor_reduction_pct": "30-50", "bacteriostatic": "no", "bactericidal": "no", "microbiome_impact": "neutral", "axillary_microbiome_effect": "varies by ingredient", "MIC_value_if_antimicrobial": "varies", "…
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "no", "emulsifier_type": "o_w", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "steric_stabilization", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "carboxymethylcellulose_sodium", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "5-20", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "80-95", "electrolyte_tolerance": "high", "pH_emulsion_stability_range": "4.0-10.0", "viscosity_building_contribution": "high", "droplet_size_range_um": "0.5-15"…
polymer
{"cas_number": "9004-34-6", "ingredient_class": "texture_modifier/opacifier", "polymer_type": "natural_polysaccharide", "chemical_backbone": "cellulose", "ionic_character": "nonionic", "pH_viscosity_sensitivity": "moderate", "salt_tolerance": "moderate", "electrolyte_effect_on_viscosity": "moderate", "temperature_viscosity_sensitivity": "moderate", "film_transparency": "transparent", "removability…
sensory
{"silky": "powdery", "smooth, glides easily": "thick, textured", "dry-touch, non-greasy": "smooth, matte", "instant": "fast", "low": "high", "w/o": "o/w", "very-high": "low", "no": "no", "yes": "no", "light-diffusing": "matte", "1.40": "1.54", "transparent": "opaque", "colorless": "white", "excellent": "poor", "light": "light", "synthetic": "botanical"}
solubility_hlb
{"water_soluble": "no", "oil_soluble": "no", "insoluble_in": "water, oils, ethanol, glycerin, propylene glycol, silicones", "melting_point_c": "260", "appearance": "white powder", "source": "JRS"}
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Abrasive
Absorbent
Adhesion/cohesion promoter
Anti-adhesive/cohesive
Anti-caking agent
Anti-stain agent
Binder
Chemical reaction regulator
Degradant/impurity
Diluent
Regulatory List Membership (3)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Microcrystalline Cellulose.
Regulatory Flags
biodegradable
microplastic-alternative
natural-polymer
reach-entry-78-exempt
microplastic-free
eco-preferred
epa_safer_alternative
ifra_fragrance
jecfa_safe
Known Synonyms
Sigmacell
α-Cellulose
beta-Amylose
Arbocell B 600/30
EINECS 232-674-9
Hydroxycellulose
Spartose OM-22
Whatman CC-31
alpha-Cellulose
UNII-OP1R32D61U
UNII-SMD1X3XO9M
UNII-I355QGZ19A
Sentry aq mardel clout
Cellulose - (C6H10O5)x
Chemical Function
Abrasive
Absorbent
Emulsifier
Viscosity modifier
Filler
Stabilizing agent
Regulatory Lists
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
Cleaning products and household care; Europe
IFRA Transparency
SCIL (9/2019)
Cleaning products and household care - laundry and fabric treatment - laundry detergent; Europe
Cleaning products and household care - dishwasher and dishes - automatic dishwashing detergent; Europe
fracking; water
Canada; pharmaceutical
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical and food safety data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA count match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Adverse Event Associations
1
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
Microcrystalline cellulose
E Number
E460i
ADI
NOT SPECIFIED mg/kg bw
Food Category
emulsifier
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Microcrystalline Cellulose allowed in the EU?
Microcrystalline Cellulose EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Microcrystalline Cellulose do in cosmetics?
Microcrystalline Cellulose functions as: Abrasive, bulking agent, stabilizer, gentle exfoliant. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9004-34-6.
Is Microcrystalline Cellulose used outside cosmetics?
Microcrystalline Cellulose also appears in pharmaceutical and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Microcrystalline Cellulose 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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