Is Octoxynol-40 safe in cosmetics?
Octoxynol-40 has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Good
Cosmetic Ingredient
Octoxynol-40
Also known as: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl]-omega-hydroxy-, polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether, Octoxinol 9, OPE 30, OPE 4 (+15 more)
Octoxynol-40 (CAS 9002-93-1) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Surfactant (surface active agent). EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 9002-93-1 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted — CIR: safe as used. Also FDA-approved inactive ingredient in ophthalmic solutions at ≤ 0.05% w/v
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Octoxynol-40.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Endocrine Disruptor Evidence (Expanded)
Cross-referenced EDC classifications, mechanism data, and dose-response evidence from EDLists, SIN List, and cosmetic-specific detail sources.
Confirmed
Evidence: High
(2012)
Health effects: No
Affected pathways: Estrogenic (ER agonist)
Regulatory framework: REACH
Source list: I
Cosmetic-Specific Mechanism
Category: surfactant
Receptor targets: ERα
LOEC: 1 µM
EU status: restricted (SVHC; phase out)
agonist (via nonylphenol degradation)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Cleaning agent
Emulsifier
Fragrance
Surface modifier
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Wetting agent (non-aqueous)
Regulatory List Membership (2)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Octoxynol-40.
Regulatory Flags
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
Known Synonyms
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl]-omega-hydroxy-
polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether
Octoxinol 9
OPE 30
OPE 4
NOP 90
Lutensol OP 10
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl]-.omega.-hydroxy-
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl)-omega-hydroxy-
alpha-(p-(1,1,3,3-Tetramethylbutyl)phenyl)-omega-hydroxypoly(oxyethylene) produced by the condensation of 1 mole of p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol with a range of 30-70 moles of ethylene oxide
Triton X-100
EC No.: 618-344-0
EC No.: 923-960-0
Antarox A-200
Conco nix-100
Ethoxylated p-tert-octylphenol
Hyonic pe-250
Igepal CA-630
Marlophen 820
Neutronyx 605
Chemical Function
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Regulatory Lists
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
fracking; water
pharmaceutical
IFRA Transparency
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Octoxynol-40 allowed in the EU?
Octoxynol-40 EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Octoxynol-40 do in cosmetics?
Octoxynol-40 functions as: Surfactant (surface active agent). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9002-93-1.
Compliance Tools
Check Octoxynol-40 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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