Is Poloxamer 188 safe in cosmetics?
Poloxamer 188 has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Moderate
Cosmetic Ingredient
Poloxamer 188
Also known as: 2-Methyl-oxirane polymer with oxirane, 1,2-Ethanediol, polymer with 1,2-propanediol, Ethylene glycol polyethylene-polypropylene glycol ether (1:2), Proxanol Tsl-3, Polyoxyethylene-oxy-propylene (+13 more)
INCI: POLOXAMER 188
Poloxamer 188 (CAS 9003-11-6) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Insufficient Data. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted, max 5%. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 9003-11-6 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Insufficient Data
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
EU Max Conc.
5%
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
OTC drug ingredient
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Poloxamer 188.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Additional Ingredient Properties
1 property record from structured ingredient metadata.
solubility_hlb
{"water_soluble": "yes", "oil_soluble": "partial", "soluble_in": "water, ethanol, propylene glycol", "insoluble_in": "oils", "log_p": "-1.2", "melting_point_c": "52-57", "appearance": "white flakes", "source": "BASF"}
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-streaking agent
Binder
Cleaning agent
Defoamer
Dispersing agent
Drier
Emulsifier
Filler
Humectant
Lubricating agent
Regulatory List Membership (2)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Poloxamer 188.
Regulatory Flags
epa_safer_alternative
fda_food_additive
Known Synonyms
2-Methyl-oxirane polymer with oxirane
1,2-Ethanediol, polymer with 1,2-propanediol
Ethylene glycol polyethylene-polypropylene glycol ether (1:2)
Proxanol Tsl-3
Polyoxyethylene-oxy-propylene
Ethylene oxide, propylene oxide block polymer
UNII-52901V8XAR
UNII-P5QZM4T259
UNII-66UUC8WX0D
UNII-YWJ6837FL1
UNII-68T8I45V23
UNII-B9Y8J911BV
UNII-199SZS8E2Q
UNII-1AZW43116L
UNII-5Z46X21X7I
UNII-ETS9O8IMRZ
UNII-JP0CK963E0
Pluronic F-127
Chemical Function
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Solvent
Regulatory Lists
fracking; water
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
pharmaceutical
active_ingredient; animal_products; Europe; pharmaceutical; residue
SCIL (9/2019)
Canada; pharmaceutical
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Poloxamer 188 allowed in the EU?
Poloxamer 188 EU regulatory status: permitted. Maximum allowed concentration: 5%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Poloxamer 188 do in cosmetics?
Poloxamer 188 functions as: Insufficient Data. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9003-11-6.
Compliance Tools
Check Poloxamer 188 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
Arginine
Excellent
Same category
Amino acid / pH Adjuster
D-Panthenol
Excellent
Same category
Hair and skin conditioning, humectant...
Dicaprylyl Ether
Excellent
Same category
Emollient
Emulsifying Wax
Excellent
Same category
O/W emulsifier; stabilizes oil-in-wat...
Ethyl Butyrate
Excellent
Same category
Perfuming, Masking
Fructose
Excellent
Same category
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Flavori...
(20S)-Protopanaxadiol
Moderate
Similar safety
(Cnidium Officinale/Coptis Chinensis/Glycyrrhiza Uralensis) Root Extract
Moderate
Similar safety
Skin conditioning
(Cryptomeria Japonica/Chamaecyparis Obtusa) Stem Ferment Extract
Moderate
Similar safety
Antimicrobial, antioxidant, humectant
(Eclipta Prostrata/Houttuynia Cordata) Leaf Extract
Moderate
Similar safety
Skin conditioning
(Lepidium Meyenii/Sarcodon Aspratus) Root Water
Moderate
Similar safety
Skin conditioning
(Licorice/Reynoutria Japonica) Root/Stem Extract
Moderate
Similar safety
Skin conditioning, antioxidant
AMMONIUM POLYACRYLATE
Good
Chemical family
Film Forming, Light Stabilizer, Surfa...
Acrylates Crosspolymer
Good
Chemical family
Absorbent, Film Former, Viscosity Con...
Acrylonitrile/Butadiene/Styrene Copolymer
Moderate
Chemical family
Film forming
Is Poloxamer 188 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 Poloxamer 188 in your formulation.