Is Sodium Levulinate safe in cosmetics?
Sodium Levulinate has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Good
Cosmetic Ingredient
Sodium Levulinate
Also known as: EINECS 243-378-4, UNII-VK44E1MQU8
INCI: SODIUM LEVULINATE
Sodium Levulinate (CAS 19856-23-6) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Skin conditioning, preservative booster, antimicrobial. NOAEL 1000 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against 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 data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 19856-23-6 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Sodium Levulinate is classified GHS Danger (H302, H317, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Skin conditioning, preservative booster, antimicrobial
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
sodium 4-oxopentanoate
InChIKey
RDKYCKDVIYTSAJ-UHFFFAOYSA-M
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Listed in FDA VCRP; parent acid is FDA-approved food additive under 21 CFR 172 section 515
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Sodium Levulinate.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Sodium Levulinate across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100 - 1,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Additional Ingredient Properties
8 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
acne
{"cas_number": "19856-23-6", "anti_acne_mechanism": "antibacterial", "comedogenicity_rating_0_to_5": "0-1", "acne_type_efficacy": "inflammatory", "p_acnes_mic_ug_per_ml": ">500", "sebum_reduction_pct_clinical": "0-5", "prescription_required_usa": "No", "otc_drug_monograph_category": "No", "max_otc_concentration_pct": "Max 1-2%", "japan_quasi_drug_anti_acne": "No", "korea_functional_cosmetic_acne":…
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "yes", "biodegradation_days": "14-28", "bioaccumulative": "no", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "low", "coral_reef_safe": "yes", "marine_toxicity": "low aquatic toxicity", "freshwater_toxicity": "minimal impact", "endocrine_disruptor": "no", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "no", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "no", "hawaii_banned": "no", "eu_restricted_environmental": "no", "pa…
microbiome_impact
{"microbiome_effect": "mixed", "prebiotic": "yes", "probiotic_compatible": "yes", "antimicrobial_spectrum": "selective", "preservative_effect_on_microbiome": "Salt of levulinic acid; selective antimicrobial; prebiotic-like properties", "skin_flora_disruption": "mild", "gut_microbiome_risk": "low", "microbiome_recovery_time": "3-5 days", "selective_antimicrobial": "yes", "beneficial_bacteria_suppor…
pediatric_safety
{"safe_for_newborn_0_6m": "yes", "safe_for_infant_6_12m": "yes", "safe_for_toddler_1_3y": "yes", "safe_for_child_3_12y": "yes", "safe_for_teen_12_18y": "yes", "pediatric_max_concentration_pct": "1.0", "adult_max_concentration_pct": "1.0", "pediatric_dermal_absorption_factor": "normal", "immature_skin_barrier_risk": "low", "oral_ingestion_risk": "low", "eye_irritation_risk": "low", "diaper_area_saf…
ph_stability
{"optimal_ph_min": "4.0", "optimal_ph_max": "6.0", "stable_ph_min": "3.5", "stable_ph_max": "6.5", "degrades_above_ph": "7.0", "ph_dependent_function": "Natural preservative salt", "formulation_note": "Used with levulinic acid", "source": "Formulation literature"}
pregnancy_detail
{"pregnancy_safe": "yes", "breastfeeding_safe": "yes", "risk_category": "not-rated", "reason": "Natural preservative; COSMOS approved", "source": "COSMOS"}
preservative
{"preservative_class": "Organic acid", "antimicrobial_spectrum_bacteria_gp": "Moderate", "antimicrobial_spectrum_bacteria_gn": "Good", "antimicrobial_spectrum_yeast": "Yes", "antimicrobial_spectrum_mold": "Yes", "mic_staph_aureus_ppm": "280", "mic_e_coli_ppm": "350", "mic_pseudomonas_ppm": "450", "mic_candida_albicans_ppm": "550", "mic_aspergillus_niger_ppm": "900", "challenge_test_pass_concentrat…
solubility_hlb
{"water_soluble": "yes", "oil_soluble": "no", "soluble_in": "water, glycerin, propylene glycol", "insoluble_in": "oils, ethanol, silicones", "log_p": "-2.3", "appearance": "clear liquid", "source": "Solvay"}
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Biocide
Softener and conditioner
pH regulating agent
Regulatory List Membership (1)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Sodium Levulinate.
Known Synonyms
EINECS 243-378-4
UNII-VK44E1MQU8
Chemical Function
Softener and conditioner
Biocide
pH regulating agent
Regulatory Lists
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
Cleaning products and household care - dishwasher and dishes - automatic dishwashing detergent; Europe
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sodium Levulinate allowed in the EU?
Sodium Levulinate EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Sodium Levulinate do in cosmetics?
Sodium Levulinate functions as: Skin conditioning, preservative booster, antimicrobial. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 19856-23-6.
Is Sodium Levulinate used outside cosmetics?
Sodium Levulinate also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Sodium Levulinate have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Sodium Levulinate is classified GHS Danger (H302, H317, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Sodium Levulinate compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
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Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
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Heavy Metal Limits
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