Activated Charcoal

CAS: 7440-44-0 / 16291-96-6 / 64365-11-3. INCI: Charcoal Powder. CIR Expert Panel concluded safe in cosmetics at present practices of use and concentration (Final Report, December 2023). EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009: not listed in Annex II (prohibited), Annex III (restricted), Annex V (preservatives), or Annex VI (UV filters); permitted without restriction for non-colorant functions. Not listed in EU Annex IV as an approved colorant. FDA: NOT approved as a color additive under FD&C Act Section 721 / 21 CFR Parts 70-82 — use to impart color in US cosmetics constitutes a federal violation. Non-colorant uses (absorbent, abrasive, opacifying) permitted in the US without color additive approval. Genotoxicity: negative across full battery. Scope limited to plant-derived charcoal; petroleum-derived charcoal excluded from CIR assessment. The EU classifies Activated Charcoal as "permitted". Safety rating: EXCELLENT.

Activated Charcoal EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

Activated Charcoal functions as: Adsorbent; skin cleanser; pore-cleansing agent; texture agent; claims-driven anti-pollution ingredient in rinse-off formulations. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 7440-44-0.

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.

Activated Charcoal carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air. 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.