Is Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) safe in cosmetics?
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 1 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Also known as: Palmitoylethanolamide, Hexadecanamide, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-, EINECS 208-867-9, NSC 23320, Palmidrolum (+15 more)
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) (CAS 544-31-0) is a cosmetic emollient functioning as Anti-static agent; Foamant; Viscosity modifier. Reported NOAEL =1000 mg/kg bw/day in Rat (ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID); 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 544-31-0 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is classified GHS Danger (H315, H318, H411, H412) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Anti-static agent; Foamant; Viscosity modifier
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA).
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
1 study endpoint found for Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). 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 | =1000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | subchronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
1 - 10 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-static agent
Foamant
Viscosity modifier
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA).
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
1
Lowest NOAEL
1000 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
1000 mg/kg bw/day
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
Known Synonyms
Palmitoylethanolamide
Hexadecanamide, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-
EINECS 208-867-9
NSC 23320
Palmidrolum
UNII-6R8T1UDM3V
Anandamide (16:0)
Hydroxyethylpalmitamide
Loramine P 256
Monoethanolamine palmitic acid amide
N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)hexadecanamide
N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)palmitamide
N-Hexadecyl-ethanolamine
N-hexadecanoyl ethanolamine
N-palmitoylethanolamine
PEA
Palmitamide MEA
Palmitic acid monoethanolamide
Palmitinsaeure-beta-hydroxyethylamid
Palmitoyl ethanolamide
Chemical Function
Anti-static agent
Viscosity modifier
Foamant
Regulatory Lists
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
pharmaceutical
Canada; pharmaceutical
Canada; pharmaceutical
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
PALMIDROL
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL417675
Max Phase
3
Adverse Event Associations
45
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) allowed in the EU?
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) do in cosmetics?
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) functions as: Anti-static agent; Foamant; Viscosity modifier. It is classified as a Emollient in our database. CAS number: 544-31-0.
What is the NOAEL for Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is =1000 mg/kg bw/day based on a subchronic study via oral route in Rat. Source: ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID.
Is Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) used outside cosmetics?
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) 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 Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is classified GHS Danger (H315, H318, H411, H412) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) 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
Alkyl Benzoate
Excellent
Same category
Emollient; skin-conditioning agent; U...
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Excellent
Same category
Plant-derived emollient oil from arga...
Babassu Oil
Excellent
Same category
Skin Conditioning - Emollient: Soften...
Babassu Oil
Excellent
Same category
Emollient; lauric acid-rich tropical oil
Beeswax
Excellent
Same category
Wax; viscosity modifier; film-former
Behenic Acid
Excellent
Same category
Cleansing, Emulsifier, Opacifier, Sur...
(AGARICUS BLAZEI FERMENT + GANODERMA LUCIDUM FERMENT + GANODERMA MULTIPILEUM FERMENT) EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Anti-sebum, Antioxidant, Skin Protecting
(ANGELICA ACUTILOBA/PAEONIA LACTIFLORA/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA) ROOT/CNIDIUM OFFICINALE RHIZOME EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning ...
(ANGELICA ACUTILOBA/PAEONIA LACTIFLORA/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA/SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS) ROOT/(CNIDIUM OFFICINALE/COPTIS CHINENSIS) RHIZOME/GARDENIA JASMINOIDES FRUIT/PHELLODENDRON CHINENSE BARK EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
(ANGELICA GIGAS/GLYCYRRHIZA URALENSIS/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA ROOT)/ANGELICA GIGAS STEM/CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS FLOWER/(CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS/PRUNUS PERSICA SEED)PORIA COCOS WATER
Good
Similar safety
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Pr...
(ANGELICA KEISKEI/CHRYSANTHEMUM ZAWADSKII) LEAF/STEM/CINNAMOMUM CASSIA BARK/TRICHOSANTES KIRILOWII FRUIT/ULMUS DAVIDIANA BARK/ROOT/(PAEONIA JAPONICA/BUPLEURUM FALCATUM/POLYGALA TENUIFOLIA ROOT)/VISCUS ALBUM STEM EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Anti-seborrheic, Anti-sebum, Antioxid...
(APPLE/CITRUS JUNOS/LENTIL/PEAR/PUMPKIN/STRAWBERRY/TOMATO FRUIT)/CORN KERNEL/(ARCTIUM LAPPA/BRASSICA OLERACEA ACEPHALA/CABBAGE/CAMELLIA SINENSIS/MORINGA OLEIFERA/RADISH/SPINACH LEAF)/(SORGHUM BICOLOR LEAF/STEM)/OAT MEAL/POTATO PULP/(CARROT/NELUMBO NUCIFERA/RADISH/WILD YAM ROOT)/(AMARANTHUS HYPOCHONDRIACUS/CASHEW/CICER ARIETINUM/COIX LACRYMA-JOBI MA-YUEN /MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA/PHASEOLUS ANGULARIS/PISTACIA VERA/RHYNCHOSIA NULUBILIS/RICE/SESAME/SETARIA ITALICA/SOYBEAN/SWEET ALMOND/WHEAT SEED)/HORDEUM VULGARE SPROUT/CYPERUS ESCULENTUS TUBER/ARTEMISIA PRINCEPS/BROCCOLI/CHENOPODIUM QUINOA/ENTEROMORPHA COMPRESSA/HORDEUM VULGARE/IPOMOEA BATATAS/LAMINARIA JAPONICA/LENTINUS EDODES/PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS/PORPHYRA TENERA/UNDARIA PINNATIFIDA EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Antioxidant
Ammonium Oleate
Good
Chemical family
Surfactant – Emulsifying, Cleansing
Batyl Alcohol
Excellent
Chemical family
Emulsion stabilising, skin conditioni...
Dibutyl Sulphide
Poor
Chemical family
Masking agent (limited cosmetic relev...
Is Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) 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 Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) in your formulation.