Is Phytosphingosine safe in cosmetics?
Phytosphingosine has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Phytosphingosine
Also known as: 4-D-Hydroxysphinganine, UNII-GIN46U9Q2Q, 4-R-hydroxyoctadecasphinganine
INCI: PHYTOSPHINGOSINE
Phytosphingosine (CAS 554-62-1) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as Skin-conditioning agent, ceramide precursor, anti-inflammatory sphingoid base;. 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 data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 554-62-1 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Skin-conditioning agent, ceramide precursor, anti-inflammatory sphingoid base; bioconverted to ceramides in skin; broad-spectrum antimicrobial; reduces inflammation
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
No FDA concentration limits. Classified as cosmetic ingredient. Ceramide precursor with established use in barrier repair formulations. Anti-inflammatory properties documented.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Phytosphingosine.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Phytosphingosine, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
4-10%
Penetration Level
stratum-corneum
Penetration Depth
stratum corneum
Molecular Weight
317.5 Da
Log P
3.2
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
2-8%
Safety Margin Factor
low
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation
Source: J Lipid Res 2003
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10 - 100 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
acne
{"cas_number": "554-62-1", "anti_acne_mechanism": "anti_inflammatory", "comedogenicity_rating_0_to_5": "1", "acne_type_efficacy": "inflammatory", "sebum_reduction_pct_clinical": "0-5", "prescription_required_usa": "No", "otc_drug_monograph_category": "No", "max_otc_concentration_pct": "No limit", "japan_quasi_drug_anti_acne": "No", "korea_functional_cosmetic_acne": "No", "eu_cosmetic_restriction_a…
anti_aging
{"anti_aging_claim": "barrier-repair, anti-inflammatory", "mechanism_of_action": "Lipid barrier restoration, TEWL reduction, emollient", "target_skin_layer": "stratum corneum", "collagen_stimulation": "No", "elastin_protection": "No", "wrinkle_reduction_pct": "8-15", "clinical_study_duration_weeks": "8", "sample_size": "30", "double_blind": "Yes", "placebo_controlled": "Yes", "published_journal": …
anti_pollution
{"cas_number": "554-62-1", "ingredient_class": "other", "primary_mechanism": "barrier_reinforcement", "pollution_types_targeted": "PM2_5", "IR_A_protection": "no", "visible_light_protection": "no", "digital_screen_protection_claim": "no", "PAH_neutralization": "no", "ozone_protection": "no", "mitochondrial_protection": "no", "Nrf2_activation": "no", "AhR_pathway_modulation": "no", "NF_kB_inhibitio…
comedogenicity_detail
{"comedogenicity_rating": "0", "irritancy_rating": "0", "skin_type_suitability": "all,oily,sensitive,combination,acne-prone,rosacea", "acne_safe": "yes", "source": "Anti-inflammatory lipid"}
concentration
{"min_concentration_pct": "0.1", "max_concentration_pct": "0.5", "typical_concentration_pct": "0.2", "product_type": "Serum", "function_at_concentration": "Anti-inflammatory", "source": "Clinical literature"}
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "317.5", "log_p_value": "3.2", "skin_penetration_level": "stratum-corneum", "penetration_depth": "stratum corneum", "absorption_pct": "4-10", "systemic_absorption": "minimal", "penetration_enhancer": "yes", "occlusion_effect": "no", "vehicle_dependent": "yes", "skin_barrier_effect": "strengthens", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "2-8", "safety_margin_factor": "low", "source"…
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "no", "emulsifier_type": "w_o", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "steric_stabilization", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "cholesterol,ceramides", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "55-85", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "15-45", "droplet_size_range_um": "3-35", "creaming_resistance": "moderate", "coalescence_resistance": "excellent", "ostwald_ripening_resistance": "excellent", "freeze_…
hair_care
{"hair_function": "strengthening", "hair_type_suitability": "all", "curl_pattern_suitability": "all", "porosity_suitability": "high", "protein_sensitivity": "balanced", "moisture_protein_balance": "yes", "cg_method_approved": "not-a-silicone", "silicone_type": "not-a-sulfate", "sulfate_type": "no", "drying_alcohol": "no", "fatty_alcohol": "no", "heat_protectant": "yes", "color_safe": "strengthens"…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Softener and conditioner
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Phytosphingosine.
Regulatory Flags
ceramide-precursor
anti-inflammatory
barrier-repair
sphingoid-base
ceramide-depletion-postmenopausal
menopausal-skin-target
biosynthesis-support
Known Synonyms
4-D-Hydroxysphinganine
UNII-GIN46U9Q2Q
4-R-hydroxyoctadecasphinganine
Chemical Function
Softener and conditioner
Regulatory Lists
Canada; pharmaceutical
Canada; pharmaceutical
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed_with_terms
Assessment: This chemical has been assessed as a component of dermal cosmetic products at concentrations no more than 0.1%. This chemical is not to be used in topical products intended for the eye.
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
PHYTOSPHINGOSINE
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL236036
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phytosphingosine allowed in the EU?
Phytosphingosine EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Phytosphingosine do in cosmetics?
Phytosphingosine functions as: Skin-conditioning agent, ceramide precursor, anti-inflammatory sphingoid base; bioconverted to ceramides in skin; broad-spectrum antimicrobial; reduces inflammation. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 554-62-1.
Is Phytosphingosine used outside cosmetics?
Phytosphingosine also appears in pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Phytosphingosine compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
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