Cetylpyridinium Chloride

INCI: CETYLPYRIDINIUM CHLORIDE

CAS Number
123-03-5
Function
Preservative, antimicrobial, oral care agent
Safety Rating
GOOD

Regulatory Status

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ EU Status permitted
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ US Status permitted
US Notes FDA-approved as OTC active ingredient in oral antiseptic products; permitted in cosmetics with no specific restriction under 21 CFR

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
moderate
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Skin, eye, and oral mucosal irritation potential; aggregate exposure concern when used alongside non-cosmetic sources such as poultry treatment; not yet formally added to EU Annex V despite positive SCCS opinion.

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Concern Level: Moderate

Regulatory Flags

preservative

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cetylpyridinium Chloride safe in cosmetics?

Skin, eye, and oral mucosal irritation potential; aggregate exposure concern when used alongside non-cosmetic sources such as poultry treatment; not yet formally added to EU Annex V despite positive SCCS opinion. The EU classifies Cetylpyridinium Chloride as "permitted". Safety rating: GOOD.

Is Cetylpyridinium Chloride allowed in the EU?

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

What does Cetylpyridinium Chloride do in cosmetics?

Cetylpyridinium Chloride functions as: Preservative, antimicrobial, oral care agent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 123-03-5.

What is the Margin of Safety for Cetylpyridinium Chloride?

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.

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