Is Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine safe in cosmetics?
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine 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.
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Also known as: L-Phenylalanine, N-(1-oxo-10-undecen-1-yl)-, N-Undecenoyl-L-phenylalanine
INCI: UNDECYLENOYL PHENYLALANINE
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine (CAS 175357-18-3) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) antagonist at MC1R receptor;. Reported NOAEL =600 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 data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 175357-18-3 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine is classified GHS Danger (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
Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) antagonist at MC1R receptor; inhibits melanin production upstream of tyrosinase by blocking MC1R stimulation and downstream cAMP-mediated MITF activation
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted as cosmetic ingredient under FDCA cosmetic provisions. Not classified as OTC drug active; not listed in FDA OTC skin bleaching monograph. No pre-market approval required.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
1 study endpoint found for Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine. 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 | =600 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | reproduction developmental | 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
Additional Ingredient Properties
7 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
anti_aging
{"anti_aging_claim": "brightening, dark-spot-reduction", "mechanism_of_action": "Bioactive compound, specialized mechanism", "target_skin_layer": "epidermis, dermis", "collagen_stimulation": "Mild", "elastin_protection": "Mild", "wrinkle_reduction_pct": "10-18", "clinical_study_duration_weeks": "12", "sample_size": "35", "double_blind": "Yes", "placebo_controlled": "Yes", "published_journal": "JAA…
concentration
{"min_concentration_pct": "0.5", "max_concentration_pct": "2.0", "typical_concentration_pct": "1.0", "product_type": "Moisturizer", "function_at_concentration": "Brightening", "source": "Supplier TDS"}
interactions
{"ingredient_2": "Niacinamide", "interaction_type": "synergistic", "severity": "beneficial", "effect": "Melanin transfer inhibition + melanin reduction", "recommendation": "Excellent combination; different brightening mechanisms", "data_source": "Formulation science literature, dermatological research, cosmetic chemistry best practices", "last_updated": "2026-03-05"}
ph_stability
{"optimal_ph_min": "5.0", "optimal_ph_max": "7.0", "stable_ph_min": "4.5", "stable_ph_max": "7.5", "degrades_above_ph": "8.0", "degrades_below_ph": "4.0", "ph_dependent_function": "Melanin inhibitor", "formulation_note": "Sepiwhite derivative", "source": "Formulation literature"}
pregnancy_detail
{"pregnancy_safe": "yes", "breastfeeding_safe": "yes", "risk_category": "not-rated", "reason": "Safe; brightening peptide", "source": "dermatology literature"}
regulatory
{"eu_status": "allowed", "us_status": "allowed"}
skin_brightening
{"cas_number": "175357-18-3", "mechanism_of_action": "α-MSH antagonist; MC1R competitive inhibition", "melanogenesis_pathway_target": "MC1R receptor", "tyrosinase_inhibition_ic50_um": "Not tyrosinase inhibitor", "tyrosinase_inhibition_vs_kojic_acid": "Receptor antagonist", "melanosome_transfer_inhibitor": "No", "melanin_oxidation_reducer": "No", "endothelin_pathway_blocker": "No", "alpha_msh_antag…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Softener and conditioner
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine.
Regulatory Flags
eu-unrestricted
cir-approved
no-sccs-opinion
non-sensitizing
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
1
Lowest NOAEL
600 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
600 mg/kg bw/day
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
Known Synonyms
L-Phenylalanine, N-(1-oxo-10-undecen-1-yl)-
N-Undecenoyl-L-phenylalanine
Chemical Function
Softener and conditioner
Regulatory Lists
Canada; Personal care; Substances in PCP - Canada (4/2014)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine allowed in the EU?
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine do in cosmetics?
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine functions as: Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) antagonist at MC1R receptor; inhibits melanin production upstream of tyrosinase by blocking MC1R stimulation and downstream cAMP-mediated MITF activation. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 175357-18-3.
What is the NOAEL for Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine is =600 mg/kg bw/day based on a reproduction developmental study via oral route in Rat. Source: ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID.
Is Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine used outside cosmetics?
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine is classified GHS Danger (H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
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Ingredient Decoder
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Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
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Heavy Metal Limits
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