Good Cosmetic Ingredient SCCS/CIR Reviewed Sensitization Data

HC Yellow No. 4

INCI: HC YELLOW NO. 4

CAS Number
59820-43-8
Function
Hair Dyeing (non-oxidative semi-permanent)
Safety Rating
GOOD

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status restricted
EU Max Conc. 1.5%
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Permitted under coal-tar hair dye exemption (FD&C Act §601(a))

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

Safety Data

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

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Safety Opinions

Official safety assessments from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR).

cir
Verdict: safe

nimal and clinical data presented in this report, the Expert Panel concluded that HC Yellow No. 4 is safe as a hair colorant in the present practices of use. REFERENCES Adams, R. M., H. I. Maibach, W. E. Clendenning, et al. 1985. A five-year study of cosmetic reactions. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 13:1062-106

Sensitization Profile

Contact sensitization data for HC Yellow No. 4 based on clinical patch test studies and IFRA standards.

Sensitization Rate
low
Allergen Class
dye
EU Allergen Listed
no
Patch Test Positive Rate
0.1%
Cross-reactivity Group
para-amino-group
Reaction Type
contact-dermatitis

Source: IVDK; NACDG; ESSCA

Expert Verdict

Restricted in EU under Annex III with 1.5% maximum concentration; permitted in US under coal-tar hair dye exemption with adequate margin of safety.

⚠️
Concern Level: Low

Regulatory Flags

eu_cosing_listed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HC Yellow No. 4 safe in cosmetics?

Restricted in EU under Annex III with 1.5% maximum concentration; permitted in US under coal-tar hair dye exemption with adequate margin of safety. The EU classifies HC Yellow No. 4 as "restricted". Safety rating: GOOD. This ingredient has been reviewed by cir.

Is HC Yellow No. 4 allowed in the EU?

HC Yellow No. 4 EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 1.5%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does HC Yellow No. 4 do in cosmetics?

HC Yellow No. 4 functions as: Hair Dyeing (non-oxidative semi-permanent). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 59820-43-8.

What is the Margin of Safety for HC Yellow No. 4?

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.

Compliance Tools

Check HC Yellow No. 4 compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

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Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
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Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
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Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions

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