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
3 study endpoints found for Butyloctanol. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOEL | >=1 other | oral | rat | oral | REACH |
| NOEL | >=1 other | oral | - | oral | REACH |
| NOAEL | 1000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | oral | REACH |
Expert Verdict
Butyloctanol is a synthetic humectant and solvent with a clean regulatory profile across EU and US markets. Not listed in any EU Cosmetics Regulation annex as restricted or prohibited. EWG scores all concern categories as LOW with limited data availability. One study noted antimicrobial effects against axillary corynebacteria at higher concentrations with no adverse skin findings. Considered safe at cosmetic use levels.
Regulatory Flags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Butyloctanol safe in cosmetics?
Butyloctanol is a synthetic humectant and solvent with a clean regulatory profile across EU and US markets. Not listed in any EU Cosmetics Regulation annex as restricted or prohibited. EWG scores all concern categories as LOW with limited data availability. One study noted antimicrobial effects against axillary corynebacteria at higher concentrations with no adverse skin findings. Considered safe at cosmetic use levels. The EU classifies Butyloctanol as "permitted". Safety rating: GOOD. 3 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Is Butyloctanol allowed in the EU?
Butyloctanol EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Butyloctanol do in cosmetics?
Butyloctanol functions as: Humectant, Solvent. Synthetic branched-chain primary alcohol (2-butyl-1-octanol, C12H26O); used in rinse-off and leave-on formulations as a light-texture solvent and moisture-retaining agent; also serves as an intermediate for emollient ester synthesis. Found in hair colourants, shower gels, conditioners and shampoos at low use levels (~0.19% of products).. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 3913-02-8.
What is the Margin of Safety for Butyloctanol?
adequate 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 Butyloctanol?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Butyloctanol is >=1 other based on a oral study via oral route in rat. A total of 3 study endpoints are available. Source: REACH.
Compliance Tools
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Related Ingredients
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