Equol

INCI: EQUOL

CAS Number
94105-90-5 (racemic); 531-95-3 (S-equol) [^1_1][^1_2]
Function
Skin conditioning — antioxidant, estrogen-receptor ligand (ERβ-selective isoflavandiol metabolite of daidzein)
Safety Rating
MODERATE

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Permitted — not listed in 21 CFR §700.11–.27 (prohibited/restricted). No CIR final report.

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

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
moderate
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Estrogenic activity (ERβ agonist) with endocrine-disruption potential at systemic levels; requires careful use-level justification in CPSR and is not suitable for leave-on products near mucous membranes without MoS calculation.

⚠️
Concern Level: Moderate

Regulatory Flags

endocrine_disruptor

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Equol safe in cosmetics?

Estrogenic activity (ERβ agonist) with endocrine-disruption potential at systemic levels; requires careful use-level justification in CPSR and is not suitable for leave-on products near mucous membranes without MoS calculation. The EU classifies Equol as "permitted". Safety rating: MODERATE.

Is Equol allowed in the EU?

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

What does Equol do in cosmetics?

Equol functions as: Skin conditioning — antioxidant, estrogen-receptor ligand (ERβ-selective isoflavandiol metabolite of daidzein). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 94105-90-5 (racemic); 531-95-3 (S-equol) [^1_1][^1_2].

What is the Margin of Safety for Equol?

not established 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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