What is the NOAEL for Lactic acid?
Lactic acid has 72 NOAEL studies in the database. The lowest reported value is -1.2 % via Dermal. Source: NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization.
NOAEL Data
REACH Registered
Cosmetic Ingredient
Lactic acid
Also known as: DL-Lactic Acid, Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, BRN 5238667, EINECS 200-018-0, EINECS 209-954-4 (+15 more)
CAS 50-21-5
Lactic acid (CAS 50-21-5) is a chemical substance. Key regulatory status: REACH registered, 60 regulatory/inventory lists, cosmetic ingredient cross-reference; source data from EPA ToxValDB, EPA CPDat, ECHA REACH, ILO ICSC.
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Lactic acid is classified GHS Danger (H314, H315, H318) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max ≤2.5% at pH ≥5.0 for consumer leave-on products.
SOURCE
Cross-vertical comparison
Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status/eu_max; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
SOURCE
noael studies public
NOAEL studies
72
SOURCE
chemical inventory jurisdictions
Regulatory lists
60
SOURCE
eu clp annex vi
GHS signal
Not classified
Chemical Identity
CAS, identifiers, formula, and alternate names for the matched substance record.
SOURCE
DSSTox identifiers
26 fields
Name
Lactic acid
CAS Number
50-21-5
DTXSID
DTXSID7023192
Molecular Formula
C3H6O3
InChI Key
JVTAAEKCZFNVCJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Monoisotopic Mass
90.031694
Synonyms
DL-Lactic AcidPropanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-BRN 5238667EINECS 200-018-0EINECS 209-954-4Ethylidenelactic acidFEMA No. 2611FEMA Number 26111-Hydroxyethanecarboxylic acidalpha-Hydroxypropionic acidLactateLactic acid USP
ICSC Chemical Safety
International Chemical Safety Card hazard and exposure summary.
SOURCE
ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards
1 records
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Short-term Effects | The substance is corrosive to the eyes. The substance is irritating to the skin and respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. |
| Routes of Exposure | The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion. |
Functional Uses
Industrial and product-use categories associated with this substance.
SOURCE
EPA CPDat
60 records
pH regulating agentHumectantSoftener and conditionerBiocideChelating agentFragranceAbrasiveFlavouring and nutrientPharmaceutical excipientAntioxidantPreservativeProcessing aids not otherwise specifiedCleaning agent
Regulatory Lists
Inventory, screening, and regulatory list matches from public chemical databases.
SOURCE
EPA CPDat
60 records
| List | Keyword | Source |
|---|---|---|
| active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides | Commission of the European Communities | CPCat |
| SCIL (9/2019) | USEPA | Safer Chemical Ingredients List |
| Canada; consumer_product; Substances in Products - Canada (4/2014) | Government of Canada | CPCat |
| drinking_water; Europe; manufacturing; plastic_additive | Belgaqua | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | State of California | State of California |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | State of California | State of California |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | State of California | State of California |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | State of California | State of California |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | State of California | State of California |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | State of California | State of California |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | California Department of Pesticide Regulation | State of California |
| active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides | European Commission | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Australia | Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority | CPCat |
| inert_ingredient; Pesticides | EPA | CPCat |
| inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides | EPA | CPCat |
| pharmaceutical | FDA | United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) |
| active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides | Commission of the European Communities | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; animal_products; Europe; pharmaceutical; residue | EU | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; agricultural; Pesticides | USDA | United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
| active_ingredient; agricultural; Pesticides | USDA | United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
| active_ingredient; agricultural; Pesticides | USDA | United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
| active_ingredient; agricultural; Pesticides | USDA | United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
| active_ingredient; agricultural; Pesticides | USDA | United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
| active_ingredient; agricultural; Pesticides | USDA | United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
| active_ingredient; agricultural; Pesticides | USDA | United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
| active_ingredient; agricultural; Pesticides | USDA | United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
| active_ingredient; agricultural; Pesticides | USDA | United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
| Europe; Specialty occupational products | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
NOAEL Studies
Toxicology endpoints rendered from public NOAEL study rows.
SOURCE
NOAEL studies
Showing 50 of 72 studies
| Value | Unit | Endpoint | Route | Species | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| >200 | ug/mL | CD86, EC150 | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| >630.546 | ug/mL | CD86, EC150 | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 2000 | ug/mL | CV75 | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 2800 | ug/mL | CV75 | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| -0.9 | % | Depletion Cys | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| - | % | Depletion Cys | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 3 | % | Depletion Cys | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| -1.2 | % | Depletion Lys | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 0.8 | % | Depletion Lys | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 0.4 | % | Depletion Lys + Cys | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 0.9 | % | Depletion Lys + Cys | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 102.7 | unitless | Draize rabbit irritation score | Ocular | Rabbit | NTP_ICE_eye_irritation |
| 219.2 | uM | EC1.5 | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1329.9 | uM | EC1.5 | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1555.3 | uM | EC1.5 | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| >2000 | uM | EC1.5 | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| >25 | % | EC3 | Dermal | Mouse | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1 | unitless | EPA Classification | Ocular | Rabbit | NTP_ICE_eye_irritation |
| 3B8D35Y7S4 | UNII | FDA UNII substance identifier | - | - | openFDA substances |
| 3B8D35Y7S4 | UNII | FDA UNII substance identifier | - | - | openFDA substances |
| 3B8D35Y7S4 | UNII | FDA UNII substance identifier | - | - | openFDA substances |
| 3B8D35Y7S4 | UNII | FDA UNII substance identifier | - | - | openFDA substances |
| >7000 | uM | IC50 | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 0.9807 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.051 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.073 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.08 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.1 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.115 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.117 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.143 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.178 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.187 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.199 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.2 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.24 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.241 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.245 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.246 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.256 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.3 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.305 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.32 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.468 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.548 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.7 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.765 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 1.845 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 2.258 | ratio | Imax | Dermal | - | NTP_ICE_skin_sensitization |
| 0.3 | %/sec | Intensity | Ocular | - | NTP_ICE_eye_irritation |
Showing 50 of 72 studies
REACH Registration
Registration status from the ECHA REACH registered substances database.
SOURCE
ECHA (EU)
1 records
| Status | Name | EC Number | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered | Lactic acid | 200-018-0 | ECHA overview → |
Cosmetic Safety Profile
Same-CAS cosmetic ingredient record for cross-vertical context.
SOURCE
CosIng / Ingredients DB
EU Status
restricted
Max
≤2.5% at pH ≥5.0 for consumer leave-on products
Category
active
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS pharmaceutical records from drug and bioactivity sources.
SOURCE
EMBL-EBI ChEMBL
LACTIC ACID
ChEMBL Phase
4
Adverse Events
3
Bioactivity
3
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive, ADI, and GRAS records where available.
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
1 records
E270 — ADI: NOT LIMITED (1973) mg/kg bw
View full food safety profile →Frequently Asked Questions
What regulatory lists include Lactic acid?
Lactic acid appears on 24 regulatory/inventory lists including active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides, SCIL (9/2019), Canada; consumer_product; Substances in Products - Canada (4/2014), and 21 more. Source: EPA CPDat.
Is Lactic acid used in cosmetics?
Yes, Lactic acid is also indexed as a cosmetic ingredient under the name Lactic Acid. View the full cosmetic safety profile on the ingredient page for detailed safety data, SCCS opinions, and regulatory status.
Where does the safety data for Lactic acid come from?
Safety data is sourced from EPA ToxValDB, EPA CPDat, EPA DSSTox, ECHA REACH, ILO/WHO ICSC, CosIng / Ingredients DB, ChEMBL / DailyMed, EFSA / FDA GRAS. All data traces to primary regulatory sources and is updated from official government databases.
Does Lactic acid have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Lactic acid is classified GHS Danger (H314, H315, H318) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max ≤2.5% at pH ≥5.0 for consumer leave-on products.
Is Lactic acid used outside industrial chemicals?
Lactic acid also appears in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food safety databases.