Regulatory Status
For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
8 study endpoints found for Arginine. 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 | 1000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Subchronic | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 50 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Carcinogenicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 174 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Special Toxicology Study | COSMOS_DB |
| dose_tested | 1000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Subchronic | COSMOS_DB |
| dose_tested | 50 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Carcinogenicity | COSMOS_DB |
| dose_tested | 174 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Special Toxicology Study | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 3130.9 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | oral | REACH |
| NOAEL | 3318 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | oral | REACH |
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Arginine, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Source: J Cosmet Sci 2017
Expert Verdict
Arginine (CAS 74-79-3) is one of the safest, most well-documented cosmetic amino acids. CIR-approved as safe across all product types including eye area and leave-on. FDA GRAS under 21 CFR 172.320, no EU concentration cap, no SCCS restrictions. Typical use range of 0.5-5% is well within the established safety envelope. Monitor pH when used as neutralizer — alkaline at higher concentrations.
Regulatory Flags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arginine safe in cosmetics?
Arginine (CAS 74-79-3) is one of the safest, most well-documented cosmetic amino acids. CIR-approved as safe across all product types including eye area and leave-on. FDA GRAS under 21 CFR 172.320, no EU concentration cap, no SCCS restrictions. Typical use range of 0.5-5% is well within the established safety envelope. Monitor pH when used as neutralizer — alkaline at higher concentrations. The EU classifies Arginine as "permitted". Safety rating: EXCELLENT. 8 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Is Arginine allowed in the EU?
Arginine EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Arginine do in cosmetics?
Arginine functions as: Amino acid / pH Adjuster. It is classified as a Cosmetic Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 74-79-3.
What is the Margin of Safety for Arginine?
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.
What is the NOAEL for Arginine?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Arginine is 1000 mg/kg bw/day based on a Subchronic study via oral route in rat. A total of 8 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.
Compliance Tools
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Related Ingredients
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