Is Retinyl Propionate safe in cosmetics?
Retinyl Propionate has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: permitted.
Good
Active Ingredient
Retinyl Propionate
Also known as: EINECS 230-363-2, Propionic acid, retinol ester
INCI: RETINYL PROPIONATE
Retinyl Propionate (CAS 7069-42-3) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as Skin-conditioning agent; retinol ester pro-vitamin A active; promotes collagen. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted, max 0.3% RE for leave-on and rinse-off face products; 0.05% RE for body lotions (Regulation EU 2024/996). Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 7069-42-3 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Retinyl Propionate is classified GHS Danger (H360, H372, H413) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max 0.3% RE for leave-on and rinse-off face products; 0.05% RE for body lotions (Regulation EU 2024/996).
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status/eu_max; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Skin-conditioning agent; retinol ester pro-vitamin A active; promotes collagen synthesis and cell turnover via retinol/retinoic acid conversion pathway
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
[(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl] propanoate
InChIKey
SFRPDSKECHTFQA-ONOWFSFQSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
EU Max Conc.
0.3% RE for leave-on and rinse-off face products; 0.05% RE for body lotions (Regulation EU 2024/996)
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
No FDA concentration limits for topical cosmetic use. Classified as cosmetic ingredient when no drug claims made. No dedicated CIR safety report identified. Clinical data showing superior wrinkle reduction vs tretinoin with niacinamide combination and markedly better tolerability noted in 2025 evidence. No mandatory pregnancy labelling under US law, though retinoid class teratogenicity considerations apply to professional guidance.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Retinyl Propionate.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
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
Additional Ingredient Properties
6 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
acne
{"cas_number": "7069-42-3", "anti_acne_mechanism": "keratolytic/comedolytic", "comedogenicity_rating_0_to_5": "2", "acne_type_efficacy": "inflammatory", "sebum_reduction_pct_clinical": "0-10", "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_restr…
anti_aging
{"anti_aging_claim": "anti-wrinkle, cell-turnover", "mechanism_of_action": "Cofactor for enzymatic reactions, antioxidant activity", "target_skin_layer": "epidermis", "collagen_stimulation": "Mild", "elastin_protection": "Mild", "wrinkle_reduction_pct": "8-15", "clinical_study_duration_weeks": "12", "sample_size": "30", "double_blind": "Yes", "placebo_controlled": "Yes", "published_journal": "JAAD…
depigmentation
{"cas_number": "7069-42-3", "ingredient_class": "combined_mechanism", "primary_mechanism_of_action": "Synthetic or isolated bioactive with melanin reduction properties", "secondary_mechanisms": "Variable", "molecular_target": "other", "tyrosinase_inhibition_IC50_uM": "varies", "tyrosinase_inhibition_type": "competitive", "melanin_reduction_pct_in_vitro": "25-45", "melanin_reduction_pct_clinical": …
pregnancy_detail
{"pregnancy_safe": "no", "breastfeeding_safe": "no", "trimester_restriction": "all", "risk_category": "not-rated", "reason": "Vitamin A derivative; retinoid precaution applies", "alternative_ingredient": "Bakuchiol", "source": "dermatology literature"}
uv_stability
{"uv_stable": "no", "uv_degradation_rate": "fast", "photosensitizer": "yes", "phototoxic": "yes", "photoallergic": "no", "requires_uv_protection_packaging": "yes", "color_change_uv": "yes", "odor_change_uv": "yes", "efficacy_loss_uv_pct": "75-85", "spf_contribution": "no", "uva_protection": "no", "uvb_protection": "no", "photostable_sunscreen": "no", "boost_spf_of_others": "no", "antioxidant_under…
vitamin
{"cas_number": "7069-42-3", "ingredient_class": "vitamin_A", "chemical_form": "ester", "derivative_type": "pro_vitamin", "molecular_weight_Da": "342.51", "water_solubility": "insoluble", "oil_solubility": "soluble", "log_P": "8.20", "stability_to_light": "moderate", "stability_to_heat": "good", "stability_to_oxidation": "moderate", "stability_to_pH_acid": "excellent", "stability_to_pH_alkaline": "…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Softener and conditioner
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Retinyl Propionate.
Regulatory Flags
retinoid
retinol-ester
eu-restricted
pregnancy-warning
pm-only
teratogen-risk
niacinamide-synergy
superior-tolerability-vs-tretinoin
emerging-clinical-data
encapsulation-recommended
Known Synonyms
EINECS 230-363-2
Propionic acid, retinol ester
Chemical Function
Softener and conditioner
Regulatory Lists
Canada
consumer_product
Substances in Products - Canada (4/2014)
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Retinyl Propionate allowed in the EU?
Retinyl Propionate EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 0.3% RE for leave-on and rinse-off face products; 0.05% RE for body lotions (Regulation EU 2024/996). This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Retinyl Propionate do in cosmetics?
Retinyl Propionate functions as: Skin-conditioning agent; retinol ester pro-vitamin A active; promotes collagen synthesis and cell turnover via retinol/retinoic acid conversion pathway. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 7069-42-3.
Is Retinyl Propionate used outside cosmetics?
Retinyl Propionate also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Retinyl Propionate have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Retinyl Propionate is classified GHS Danger (H360, H372, H413) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max 0.3% RE for leave-on and rinse-off face products; 0.05% RE for body lotions (Regulation EU 2024/996).
Compliance Tools
Check Retinyl Propionate 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
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