Poor Cosmetic Ingredient GHS Classified

2,4-Xylenol

INCI: 2,4-XYLENOL (2,4-DIMETHYLPHENOL)

CAS Number
105-67-9
Function
Denaturant; antimicrobial; primarily an industrial chemical (phenolic disinfectant)
Safety Rating
POOR

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status prohibited
🇺🇸 US Status restricted
US Notes Not specifically restricted but subject to general safety requirements; not commonly used in cosmetics

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
high
Sensitization
moderate

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

GHS Hazard Classification

Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.

Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is corrosive to the skin, respiratory tract and eyes. Corrosive on ingestion. Inhalation of the aerosol may cause lung oedema. See Notes.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, by ingestion and through the skin.

Expert Verdict

GHS hazard: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation); skin corrosion; serious eye damage; aquatic toxicity; classified as CMR suspect in some databases - NOT recommended for leave-on cosmetics without robust safety dossier

⚠️
Concern Level: High

Regulatory Flags

ifra_fragrance

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 2,4-Xylenol safe in cosmetics?

GHS hazard: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation); skin corrosion; serious eye damage; aquatic toxicity; classified as CMR suspect in some databases - NOT recommended for leave-on cosmetics without robust safety dossier The EU classifies 2,4-Xylenol as "prohibited". Safety rating: POOR.

Is 2,4-Xylenol allowed in the EU?

2,4-Xylenol EU regulatory status: prohibited. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does 2,4-Xylenol do in cosmetics?

2,4-Xylenol functions as: Denaturant; antimicrobial; primarily an industrial chemical (phenolic disinfectant). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 105-67-9.

What is the Margin of Safety for 2,4-Xylenol?

not established The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

Compliance Tools

Check 2,4-Xylenol 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 55 jurisdictions
 🧮
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
 ⚗️
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions

Related Ingredients

Aluminum Calcium Magnesium Potassium Sodium Zinc Silicates
Good
sh-Polypeptide-13
Good
Phthalic Anhydride/Glycerin/Glycidyl Decanoate Copolymer
Moderate
Tripeptide-38
Good
Dehydrolatanoprost
Poor
Browse all 30,000+ ingredients →
📱

Is 2,4-Xylenol in Your Products?

Scan any product label with Piro — our free ingredient scanner. Point your camera at the ingredients list and get instant safety scores for every ingredient.

Try Piro Free →

Analyze Your Full Ingredient List

Paste any INCI list into the Decoder for instant safety analysis, or calculate the Margin of Safety for 2,4-Xylenol in your formulation.

Ingredient Decoder MoS Calculator