Is Bisabolol safe in cosmetics?
Bisabolol has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Bisabolol
Also known as: alpha-Bisabolol, alpha,4-Dimethyl-alpha-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-3-cyclohexene-1-methanol, EINECS 208-205-9, EINECS 246-973-7, UNII-36HQN158VC
INCI: BISABOLOL
Bisabolol (CAS 515-69-5) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as Synthetic (nature-identical) (-)-alpha-bisabolol. Sesquiterpene alcohol;. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
Function
Synthetic (nature-identical) (-)-alpha-bisabolol. Sesquiterpene alcohol; anti-inflammatory via 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibition; skin-conditioning and soothing. Chemically identical to plant-derived bisabolol but produced by total synthesis (ISO 16128 NI=0 — synthetic). Lacks the companion terpenoids present in plant-derived chamomile-extracted bisabolol (chamazulene, apigenin, alpha-bisabolol oxides) that may contribute synergistic anti-inflammatory effects. Pharmaceutical-grade batch consistency and purity. Penetration enhancer.
Editorial assessment
EXCELLENT
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
No FDA-specific regulation; manufacturer self-regulation applies. German chamomile (primary natural source of Bisabolol) is classified as GRAS for essential oils and extractives. CIR panel confirmed safe as used in cosmetic formulations (1999 + re-review). No FDA-imposed concentration limits; typical use 0.1-1.0%. No special listing or notification requirements under MoCRA beyond standard obligations.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Bisabolol.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Bisabolol, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
8-15%
Penetration Level
stratum-corneum
Penetration Depth
stratum corneum/epidermis
Molecular Weight
222.4 Da
Log P
4.4
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
5-12%
Safety Margin Factor
moderate
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation
Source: Int J Cosmet Sci 2011
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
1 toxicity value from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LD50 | >5000 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ChemIDplus |
Typical Use Concentrations
Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.
| Product Category | Typical Range | Max Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face Cream | 0.1–0.5 | 1 | CIR Safety Assessment |
| Body Lotion | 0.1–0.5 | 1 | CIR Safety Assessment |
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Deodorizer
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
Humectant
Softener and conditioner
Regulatory List Membership (4)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for Bisabolol — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
eu-unrestricted
cir-approved
cosmos-approved
natural-origin
no-sccs-opinion
eu_children_restricted
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
Known Synonyms
alpha-Bisabolol
alpha,4-Dimethyl-alpha-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-3-cyclohexene-1-methanol
EINECS 208-205-9
EINECS 246-973-7
UNII-36HQN158VC
Chemical Function
Deodorizer
Softener and conditioner
Humectant
Fragrance
Flavouring and nutrient
Regulatory Lists
IFRA Transparency
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
Europe
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care - general moisturizing - hand/body lotion
children; Europe; Personal care - hair styling and care - shampoo
Europe; Personal care - hair styling and care - shampoo-dandruff
Europe; Personal care - hair styling and care - shampoo-dandruff
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bisabolol allowed in the EU?
Bisabolol EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Bisabolol do in cosmetics?
Bisabolol functions as: Synthetic (nature-identical) (-)-alpha-bisabolol. Sesquiterpene alcohol; anti-inflammatory via 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibition; skin-conditioning and soothing. Chemically identical to plant-derived bisabolol but produced by total synthesis (ISO 16128 NI=0 — synthetic). Lacks the companion terpenoids present in plant-derived chamomile-extracted bisabolol (chamazulene, apigenin, alpha-bisabolol oxides) that may contribute synergistic anti-inflammatory effects. Pharmaceutical-grade batch consistency and purity. Penetration enhancer.. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 515-69-5.
Compliance Tools
Check Bisabolol compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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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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