Is Ficin safe in cosmetics?
Ficin has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Moderate
Cosmetic Ingredient
Ficin
Also known as: Debricin, EINECS 232-599-1, Ficus protease, Ficus proteinase, Higueroxyl delabarre
INCI: FICIN
Ficin (CAS 9001-33-6) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Skin conditioning / exfoliating enzyme (cysteine protease, EC 3.4.22.3). EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 9001-33-6 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Ficin is classified GHS Danger (H315, H319, H334, H335) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Skin conditioning / exfoliating enzyme (cysteine protease, EC 3.4.22.3)
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
fluoro-[(imino-lambda3-iodanyl)methylidene]-lambda3-iodane
InChIKey
POTUGHMKJGOKRI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted — FDA 21 CFR 184.1316 (GRAS for direct food use); no cosmetic-specific restriction
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Ficin.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
Harmful / IrritantHealth Hazard
Hazard Class and Category
STOT SE 3; Skin Irrit. 2; Eye Irrit. 2; Resp. Sens. 1
Hazard Statements
- H335 May cause respiratory irritation
- H315 Causes skin irritation
- H319 Causes serious eye irritation
- H334 May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
Additional Ingredient Properties
4 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
anti_aging
{"anti_aging_claim": "cell-turnover", "mechanism_of_action": "Enzymatic activity, targeted protein modification", "target_skin_layer": "epidermis, dermis", "collagen_stimulation": "Moderate", "elastin_protection": "Moderate", "wrinkle_reduction_pct": "6-12", "clinical_study_duration_weeks": "8", "sample_size": "25", "double_blind": "No", "placebo_controlled": "Yes", "published_journal": "Enzyme re…
depigmentation
{"cas_number": "9001-33-6", "ingredient_class": "keratinocyte_turnover_enhancer", "primary_mechanism_of_action": "Proteolytic enzyme providing gentle exfoliation and melanin dispersal", "secondary_mechanisms": "Variable", "molecular_target": "other", "tyrosinase_inhibition_IC50_uM": "varies", "tyrosinase_inhibition_type": "competitive", "melanin_reduction_pct_in_vitro": "25-45", "melanin_reduction…
exfoliant
{"cas_number": "9001-33-6", "ingredient_class": "enzymatic_exfoliant", "chemical_subclass": "proteolytic_enzyme/fruit_enzyme", "molecular_weight_Da": "25000", "pH_dependent_activity": "yes", "optimal_pH_range": "5.0-8.0", "penetration_depth": "stratum_corneum", "mechanism_of_action": "proteolysis", "target_bonds": "keratin_crosslinks", "onset_of_action": "minutes", "peak_effect_timeline": "4-8 wee…
self_tanning
{"cas_number": "9001-33-6", "ingredient_class": "tan_eraser", "tanning_mechanism": "other", "color_development_onset_hours": "0.0", "full_color_development_hours": "0", "color_duration_days": "0", "DHA_concentration_if_applicable_pct": "0", "erythrulose_concentration_pct": "0", "pH_dependent_color": "no", "formaldehyde_release_concern": "no", "formaldehyde_release_ppm": "0", "AGE_formation_concern…
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Regulatory (1)
JECFA Evaluation
FICIN | 1971 | DECISION POSTPONED | NMRS 50/TRS 488-JECFA 15/11 | NOT PREPARED
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Chemical reaction regulator
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Softener and conditioner
Regulatory List Membership (1)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Ficin.
Regulatory Flags
fda_food_additive
Known Synonyms
Debricin
EINECS 232-599-1
Ficus protease
Ficus proteinase
Higueroxyl delabarre
Chemical Function
Softener and conditioner
Chemical reaction regulator
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Regulatory Lists
animal_products
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ficin allowed in the EU?
Ficin EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Ficin do in cosmetics?
Ficin functions as: Skin conditioning / exfoliating enzyme (cysteine protease, EC 3.4.22.3). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9001-33-6.
Is Ficin used outside cosmetics?
Ficin also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Ficin have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Ficin is classified GHS Danger (H315, H319, H334, H335) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Ficin 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
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