Is Butoxyethanol safe in cosmetics?
Butoxyethanol has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: restricted. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Butoxyethanol
Also known as: Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, Ethanol, 2-butoxy-, 2-butoxietanol, 2-Butoxyethanol, EGBE (+15 more)
INCI: BUTOXYETHANOL
Butoxyethanol (CAS 111-76-2) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Solvent. Reported NOAEL 82 mg/kg bw/day in rat (COSMOS DB); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted, max 4.0%; GHS signal word DANGER. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, and food safety data.
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Butoxyethanol is classified GHS Danger (H302, H312, H315, H319, H331, H332, H335, H227) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max 4.0%.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu status/eu max; Chemicals: ghs classifications.signal word/hazard statement code
Function
Solvent
Editorial assessment
MODERATE
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
2-butoxyethanol
InChIKey
POAOYUHQDCAZBD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
EU Max Conc.
4.0%
US US Status
restricted
US Notes
Conditional – acceptable only within Annex III restricted-use parameters
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Butoxyethanol.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for Butoxyethanol. 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 | 82 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Subchronic | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 100 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 125 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 159 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 225 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Subchronic | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 246 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 265 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 297 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Subchronic | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | =1.11 mg/kg bw | dermal | rat | dermal absorption | SCCS Opinion |
| NOAEL | =1.11 mg/kg bw | dermal | rat | dermal absorption | SCCS Opinion |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Signal Word
DANGER
Pictograms
FlamFlameSkullToxic
Hazard Statements
Flammable liquid and vapour Fatal in contact with skin Harmful if swallowed May cause damage to organs
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the acid-base balance in the body, central nervous system and kidneys. This may result in metabolic acidosis and impaired functions.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance defats the skin, which may cause dryness or cracking. The substance may have effects on the blood and liver. This may result in impaired functions.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOAEL | =473 mg/m3 | Human | inhalation | acute | Cal OEHHA REL derivations |
| LEL | =53167.4 mg/m3 | Human | inhalation | - | DOE Protective Action Criteria |
| LOAEL | =69 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | - | EFSA |
| NOAEL | =96.668 mg/m3 | Human | inhalation | acute | Cal OEHHA REL derivations |
| LOAEL | =31 ppm | Rat | not specified | chronic | TX TCEQ |
| LOAEL | =31 ppm | Mouse | not specified | chronic | TX TCEQ |
| NOAEL | =20 ppm | Human | not specified | acute | TX TCEQ |
| LEL | =1.55 mg/kg-day | Rat | inhalation | chronic | EPA ToxRefDB |
| LEL | =6.25 mg/kg-day | Rat | inhalation | chronic | EPA ToxRefDB |
| LEL | =4.65 mg/kg-day | Mouse | inhalation | chronic | EPA ToxRefDB |
IARC Carcinogenicity
International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) monograph evaluation.
IARC Group
3
Volume
88
Evaluation Year
2004
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
Acute Toxicity
Hazard Class and Category
Acute Tox. 3; Acute Tox. 4; Skin Irrit. 2; Eye Irrit. 2
Hazard Statements
- H331 Toxic if inhaled
- H302 Harmful if swallowed
- H315 Causes skin irritation
- H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Specific Concentration Limits / M-factors
inhalation: ATE = 3.0 mg/L vapours; oral: ATE = 1200.0 mg/kg bw
Inserted via ATP: ATP18
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 Jurisdictional Detail
Additional regulatory detail beyond the 7-jurisdiction summary: Saudi SFDA, Korea MFDS, ASEAN ACD, Japan/Korea, Brazil/India, and cross-jurisdictional restriction entries.
SA Saudi SFDA (III - Restricted)
Product type: a) Solvent in oxidative hair dye products b) Solvent in non-oxidative hair dye products. Max: a) 4.0% b) 2.0%.
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
Brazil: Restricted · max a) 4%; b) 2%
India: Restricted · max a) 4.0% b) 2.0%
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (3)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA | restricted | 10% | Hair dyes and nail products only |
| ASEAN | restricted | 4% (oxidative hair dye); 2% (non-oxidative hair dye) | Hair dye products |
| KR | prohibited | - | - |
Expanded Dermal Absorption Data
Cross-database dermal penetration: EPA Dryad physics-based, Roberts Mendeley permeation, and SCCS-aggregated measured values.
Roberts Skin Permeation (Mendeley 2022)
MW: 118.17
Log Kow: 0.83
Log Kp: -2.2676062401770314
Log Jmax: -4.386221583406459
Source: Roberts Cheruvu Mendeley 2022
Aggregated DA Values (1 records across 5 sources)
| Type | DA % | Method | Skin Model | SCCS Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| measured_sccs_opinion | 6.9% | - | - | SCCP/1045/06 |
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (6)
Carcinogen Classification
2-Butoxyethanol | Group 3: Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans | Volume 88: (2006) Formaldehyde, 2-Butoxyethanol and 1-tert-Butoxypropan-2-ol
Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Carcinogen Classification
2-Butoxyethanol (Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether) | TR-484: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of 2-Butoxyethanol (CASRN 111-76-2) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies) (2000 ) | 10/30/98 | No Evidence | Equivocal Evidence | Some Evidence | Some Evidence | Under the conditions of these 2-year inhalation studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of…
Source: NTP Technical Reports
Evidence for Carcinogenicity
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE CHARACTERIZATION: No reliable human epidemiological studies are available that address the potential carcinogenicity of EGBE. ... NTP /the National Toxicology Program/ reported no evidence of carcinogenic activity in male F344/N rats, and equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity in female F344/N rats on the basis of increased combined incidences of benign and malignant…
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Endocrine Disruptors
Potential endocrine disrupting compound
Source: NORMAN Suspect List Exchange
ICSC Safety Card
0059
Source: WHO/JECFA
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Chemical reaction regulator
Cleaning agent
Defoamer
Degradant/impurity
Deodorizer
Dispersing agent
Dye
Film former
Flavouring and nutrient
Flow promoter
Regulatory List Membership (3)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for Butoxyethanol — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
eu_cosing_listed
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Butoxyethanol by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
84
Lowest NOAEL
1.11
Highest NOAEL
1500
Units vary across source rows: mg/kg bw, mg/kg bw/day, mg/kg bw/d
SCCS Opinion
ECHA
COSMOS DB
Dermal Absorption
View details ->| Absorption % | Method | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 6.9% | SCCS PDF direct extraction | - |
Known Synonyms
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether
Ethanol, 2-butoxy-
2-butoxietanol
2-Butoxyethanol
EGBE
BRN 1732511
Caswell No. 121
EINECS 203-905-0
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 011501
Glycol ether EB
UNII-I0P9XEZ9WV
2-BUTOXY ETHANOL (ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOBUTYL ETHER)
2-Butossi-etanolo
2-Butoxy-Ethanol
2-Butoxy-aethanol
2-Butoxy-aethanol(GERMAN)
2-Butoxyethan-1-ol
2-Butoxyethanol (butyl cellosolve)
2-Butoxyethanol (ethylene glycol monobutyl ether)
2-N-Butoxy-1-ethanol
Chemical Function
Solvent
Deodorizer
Viscosity modifier
Fragrance
Regulatory Lists
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Furniture and Furnishings
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
air; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe
air; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe
Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods
consumer_product; detected
fracking; water
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - home office - pens and markers; detected; Europe
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
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Furniture and Furnishings
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Furniture and Furnishings
air; Cleaning products and household care; detected; emissions
air; detected; emissions; Personal care
detected; Europe; Vehicle - car interior
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Vehicle - car interior
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed_with_terms
Specific information requirements: Obligations to provide information apply. You must tell us within 28 days if the circumstances of your importation or manufacture (introduction) are different to those in our assessment.
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical and food safety data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
BUTOXYETHANOL
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL284588
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOBUTYL ETHER
Food Category
food_additive
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Butoxyethanol allowed in the EU?
Butoxyethanol EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 4.0%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Butoxyethanol do in cosmetics?
Butoxyethanol functions as: Solvent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 111-76-2.
What is the NOAEL for Butoxyethanol?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Butoxyethanol is 82 mg/kg bw/day based on a Subchronic study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS DB.
Is Butoxyethanol classified as hazardous under GHS?
Butoxyethanol carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Flammable liquid and vapour Fatal in contact with skin Harmful if swallowed May cause damage to organs. 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 Butoxyethanol used outside cosmetics?
Butoxyethanol also appears in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Butoxyethanol have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Butoxyethanol is classified GHS Danger (H302, H312, H315, H319, H331, H332, H335, H227) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max 4.0%.
Compliance Tools
Check Butoxyethanol 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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