Is Acetophenone safe in cosmetics?
Acetophenone has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 5 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Acetophenone
Also known as: ethanone, 1-phenyl-, Benzene, acetyl-, EINECS 202-708-7, FEMA No. 2009, FEMA Number 2009 (+15 more)
INCI: ACETOPHENONE
Acetophenone (CAS 98-86-2) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Fragrance, masking agent. Reported NOAEL 102 mg/kg bw/day in rat (COSMOS_DB); 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 industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 98-86-2 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Fragrance, masking agent
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
FEMA GRAS (No. 2009); FDA approved food additive; permitted in cosmetics
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Acetophenone.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
5 study endpoints found for Acetophenone. 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 | 102 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 300 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | =125 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =170 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rabbit | developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =250 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | subchronic | 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 markWarn
Hazard Statements
Harmful if swallowed May be harmful in contact with skin Causes eye irritation
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system.
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.
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
10 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEL | =54055.9 mg/m3 | Human | inhalation | - | DOE Protective Action Criteria |
| NOAEL | =50 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | subchronic | EFSA |
| LD50 | =3300 mg/kg | Rat | dermal | acute | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | >20600 mg/kg | Guinea Pig | dermal | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | =900 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | =3000 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | =740 mg/kg | Mouse | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | =3200 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | =2200 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | =2081 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Warning
Pictograms
Harmful / Irritant
Hazard Class and Category
Acute Tox. 4 *; Eye Irrit. 2
Hazard Statements
- H302 Harmful if swallowed
- H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10,000 - 100,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
Expanded Dermal Absorption Data
Cross-database dermal penetration: EPA Dryad physics-based, Roberts Mendeley permeation, and SCCS-aggregated measured values.
EPA Dryad Skin Absorption (physics-based)
MW: 120.151
LogP: 1.5825
Kp epidermis: 0.02753 cm/h
% dose epidermis: 0.79%
% dose stratum corneum: 0.8%
% dose dermis: 0.71%
Source: EPA_Dryad_Skin_Absorption_2024
Roberts Skin Permeation (Mendeley 2022)
MW: 120.15
Log Kow: 1.58
Log Kp: -1.5601714416637376
Log Jmax: -5.785810526749979
Source: Roberts_Cheruvu_Mendeley_2022
Additional Ingredient Properties
1 property record from structured ingredient metadata.
fragrance_ifra
{"cas_number": "98-86-2", "ifra_amendment_number": "49", "ifra_restriction_type": "Restricted", "ifra_max_use_level_category_1_pct": "0.095", "ifra_max_use_level_category_4_pct": "1.5", "ifra_max_use_level_category_7_pct": "0.22", "ifra_max_use_level_category_11_pct": "0.042", "eu_allergen_declaration_required": "No", "eu_26_allergens_list": "No", "sccs_opinion_available": "Yes", "sensitization_po…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Deodorizer
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
No specific technical function
Solvent
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 Acetophenone.
Regulatory Flags
fragrance-component
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
jecfa_safe
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Acetophenone by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
5
Lowest NOAEL
102 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
300 mg/kg bw/day
COSMOS_DB
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
Known Synonyms
ethanone, 1-phenyl-
Benzene, acetyl-
EINECS 202-708-7
FEMA No. 2009
FEMA Number 2009
RCRA waste number U004
USAF EK-496
UNII-RK493WHV10
1-Phenyl-Ethanone
1-Phenylethan-1-one
1-Phenylethanone (acetophenone)
1-Phenylethanone, 9CI
Acetofenon
Acetyl-Benzene
Acetylbenzol
Benzoylmethide
Dymex
FEMA 2009
Hypnon
Ketone, methyl phenyl
Chemical Function
Fragrance
Deodorizer
No specific technical function
Flavouring and nutrient
Regulatory Lists
air; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe
Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe
detected; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods
air; Batteries; detected; emissions; Europe
air; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe
air; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe
air; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe
air; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
air; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - home office - pens and markers; detected; Europe
detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods; water
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts paint; detected; Europe
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
detected; Europe; Toys and children's products
artificial_sweat; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
artificial_saliva; artificial_sweat; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
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.
Compound
ACETOPHENONE
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL274467
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acetophenone allowed in the EU?
Acetophenone EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Acetophenone do in cosmetics?
Acetophenone functions as: Fragrance, masking agent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 98-86-2.
What is the NOAEL for Acetophenone?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Acetophenone is 102 mg/kg bw/day based on a Short Term Toxicity study via oral route in rat. A total of 5 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.
Is Acetophenone classified as hazardous under GHS?
Acetophenone carries a GHS signal word of "WARNING". Hazard statements: Harmful if swallowed May be harmful in contact with skin Causes eye irritation. 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 Acetophenone used outside cosmetics?
Acetophenone also appears in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Acetophenone 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 multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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