Is DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) safe in cosmetics?
DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 5 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol)
Also known as: 2-Dimethylaminoethanol (Deanol) (Dimethylaminoethanol) (Ethanol, 2-(dimethylamino)-), BRN 1209235, beta-Dimethylaminoethyl alcohol, N,N-Dimethyl-N-(beta-hydroxyethyl)amine, EINECS 203-542-8 (+13 more)
INCI: DIMETHYL MEA
DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) (CAS 108-01-0) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as Buffering agent, pH regulator. NOAEL 7 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted, max 2.5%. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 108-01-0 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) is classified GHS Danger (H226, H302, H312, H314, H318, H331, H332, H335) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics at max 2.5%.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status/eu_max; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Buffering agent, pH regulator
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
2-(dimethylamino)ethanol
InChIKey
UEEJHVSXFDXPFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
EU Max Conc.
2.5%
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
No specific restrictions
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol).
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
5 study endpoints found for DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol). 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 | =50 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | reproduction developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =100 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rabbit | reproduction developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =150 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | reproduction developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =250 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rabbit | developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =300 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | reproduction developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is severely irritating to the respiratory tract. The substance is corrosive to the eyes and skin. Corrosive on ingestion. Inhalation of the vapour may cause lung oedema. See Notes. The effects may be delayed. Medical observation is indicated.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour, through the skin and by ingestion.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
FlammableHarmful / IrritantCorrosive
Hazard Class and Category
Flam. Liq. 3; Acute Tox. 4 *; Acute Tox. 4 *; Acute Tox. 4 *; Skin Corr. 1B
Hazard Statements
- H226 Flammable liquid and vapour
- H332 Harmful if inhaled
- H312 Harmful in contact with skin
- H302 Harmful if swallowed
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Specific Concentration Limits / M-factors
STOT SE 3; H335: C ≥ 5.0%
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
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)
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (3)
Carcinogen Classification
No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
ICSC Safety Card
0654
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
A skin and severe eye irritant.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Catalyst
Degradant/impurity
Preservative
Processing aids not otherwise specified
pH regulating agent
Regulatory List Membership (1)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol).
Regulatory Flags
fda_food_additive
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
5
Lowest NOAEL
50 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
300 mg/kg bw/day
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
Known Synonyms
2-Dimethylaminoethanol (Deanol) (Dimethylaminoethanol) (Ethanol, 2-(dimethylamino)-)
BRN 1209235
beta-Dimethylaminoethyl alcohol
N,N-Dimethyl-N-(beta-hydroxyethyl)amine
EINECS 203-542-8
Varesal
2-Dwumetyloaminoetanolu
Dimethylaethanolamin
UNII-2N6K9DRA24
2-(Dimethylamino)-1-ethanol
DMAE
DMEA
Deanol
Dimethylaminoaethanol
N,N-Dimethyl-2-hydroxyethylamine
N,N-Dimethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine
N,N-Dimethylaminoethanol
N-Dimethylaminoethanol
Chemical Function
pH regulating agent
Degradant/impurity
Preservative
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Regulatory Lists
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts paint; Europe
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Canada; pharmaceutical
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
DIMETHYLAMINOETHANOL
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL1135
Max Phase
2
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) allowed in the EU?
DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) EU regulatory status: permitted. Maximum allowed concentration: 2.5%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) do in cosmetics?
DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) functions as: Buffering agent, pH regulator. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 108-01-0.
What is the NOAEL for DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol)?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) is =50 mg/kg bw/day based on a reproduction developmental study via oral route in Rat. A total of 5 study endpoints are available. Source: ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID.
Is DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) used outside cosmetics?
DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) also appears in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) is classified GHS Danger (H226, H302, H312, H314, H318, H331, H332, H335) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics at max 2.5%.
Compliance Tools
Check DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) 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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