Is 2-Ethylhexanol safe in cosmetics?
2-Ethylhexanol has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 9 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
2-Ethylhexanol
Also known as: 1-Hexanol, 2-ethyl-, 4-01-00-01783, Alcohol, 2-ethylhexyl, BRN 1719280, EINECS 203-234-3 (+4 more)
INCI: ETHYLHEXANOL
2-Ethylhexanol (CAS 104-76-7) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Solvent, Fragrance ingredient. NOAEL 227.5 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted; GHS signal word WARNING. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 104-76-7 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Solvent, Fragrance ingredient
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
2-ethylhexan-1-ol
InChIKey
YIWUKEYIRIRTPP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Not specifically restricted by FDA; RIFM-assessed as safe under current declared use levels
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for 2-Ethylhexanol.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
9 study endpoints found for 2-Ethylhexanol. 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 | 140 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Special Toxicology Study | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 150 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 275 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 320 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 350 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Special Toxicology Study | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | =150 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | chronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =200 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | chronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =500 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | chronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =750 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | chronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Signal Word
WARNING
Pictograms
Excl markWarnCancerHealth haz
Hazard Statements
Combustible liquid May be harmful if swallowed Causes skin and eye irritation May cause damage to central nervous system Harmful to aquatic life
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system. If swallowed the substance may cause vomiting and could result in aspiration pneumonitis.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance defats the skin, which may cause dryness or cracking.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour, by ingestion and through the skin.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for 2-Ethylhexanol across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
HRIPT Human Patch Test Studies
1 human repeat insult patch test aggregated from dermatological literature.
| Test Type | N | Sensitized | Dose µg/cm² | NESIL µg/cm² | Potency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMT | - | 0 | 2700 | - | - |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100,000 - 1,000,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (2)
ICSC Safety Card
0890
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
A severe eye and moderate skin irritant.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Regulatory (2)
JECFA Number
267
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
JECFA Evaluation
2-ETHYL-1-HEXANOL | 1997 | 0-0.5 mg/kg bw (1993) | No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. The 1993 ADI of 0-0.5 mg/kg bw was maintained at the forty-ninth meeting (1997). | TRS 884-JECFA 49/37 | FAS 40-JECFA 49/189
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Defoamer
Degradant/impurity
Dispersing agent
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
No specific technical function
Plasticizer
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Solvent
Wetting agent (non-aqueous)
Regulatory List Membership (3)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Consumer Product Chemical
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for 2-Ethylhexanol.
Regulatory Flags
fragrance-component
endocrine_disruptor
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to 2-Ethylhexanol by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
9
Lowest NOAEL
140 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
750 mg/kg bw/day
COSMOS_DB
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
Known Synonyms
1-Hexanol, 2-ethyl-
4-01-00-01783
Alcohol, 2-ethylhexyl
BRN 1719280
EINECS 203-234-3
FEMA No. 3151
2-Aethylhexanol
UNII-XZV7TAA77P
FEMA 3151
Chemical Function
Solvent
Fragrance
Flavouring and nutrient
Degradant/impurity
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Dispersing agent
Regulatory Lists
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
fracking; water
active_ingredient; Pesticides
artificial_sweat; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
artificial_sweat; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - home office - pens and markers; detected; Europe
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts adhesive; detected; Europe
air; Arts and crafts/Office supplies - fabric treatment and dye; Arts and crafts/Office supplies - home office - pens and markers; detected; emissions; Europe
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
CEDI
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Furniture and Furnishings
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods
detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods; water
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Vehicle - car interior
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Vehicle - car interior
detected; Europe; Vehicle - car interior
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL31637
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2-Ethylhexanol allowed in the EU?
2-Ethylhexanol EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does 2-Ethylhexanol do in cosmetics?
2-Ethylhexanol functions as: Solvent, Fragrance ingredient. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 104-76-7.
What is the NOAEL for 2-Ethylhexanol?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for 2-Ethylhexanol is 140 mg/kg bw/day based on a Special Toxicology Study study via oral route in mouse. A total of 9 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.
Is 2-Ethylhexanol classified as hazardous under GHS?
2-Ethylhexanol carries a GHS signal word of "WARNING". Hazard statements: Combustible liquid May be harmful if swallowed Causes skin and eye irritation May cause damage to central nervous system Harmful to aquatic life. This classification is based on the ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Card and ECHA C&L inventory data. Note: GHS classification applies to the pure substance — at cosmetic use concentrations, hazard thresholds may not be met.
Is 2-Ethylhexanol used outside cosmetics?
2-Ethylhexanol also appears in pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check 2-Ethylhexanol compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
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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