Also known as: 4-01-00-02565, BRN 1098298, Caswell No. 574, EINECS 203-489-0, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 068601 (+11 more)
INCI: HEXYLENE GLYCOL
Hexylene Glycol (CAS 107-41-5) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as solvent. NOAEL 300 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted; 1 safety opinion reviewed (CIR Safety Assessment). Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
US NotesNo FDA pre-market approval required for cosmetic use. Indirect food additive (IFA) status as defoaming agent under 21 CFR 176.210. No cosmetic-specific restrictions. EPA Safer Chemical Program classifies 2-Methyl-2,4-pentanediol as expected to be of low concern. CIR Expert Panel has concluded safe as presently used.
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Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Hexylene Glycol.
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Toxicological Studies
2 study endpoints found for Hexylene Glycol. 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
=250 mg/kg bw/day
oral
Rat
reproduction developmental
ECHA
NOAEL
=300 mg/kg bw/day
oral
Rat
reproduction developmental
ECHA
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 irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol.
Safety Opinions
Official safety assessments from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR).
CIR Safety AssessmentNumber 5, 1985
Verdict: unknown
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Hexylene Glycol across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Hexylene Glycol, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
8-15%
Penetration Level
stratum-corneum
Penetration Depth
stratum corneum/epidermis
Molecular Weight
118.2 Da
Log P
0.58
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
5-12%
Safety Margin Factor
moderate
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation
Source: CIR Expert Panel
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Warning
Pictograms
Harmful / Irritant
Hazard Class and Category
Skin Irrit. 2; Eye Irrit. 2
Hazard Statements
H315Causes skin irritation
H319Causes serious eye irritation
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
HRIPT Human Patch Test Studies
1 human repeat insult patch test aggregated from dermatological literature.
Test Type
N
Sensitized
Dose µg/cm²
NESIL µg/cm²
Potency
HMT
-
0
13500
-
-
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)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-adhesive/cohesiveChelating agentEmulsifierFillerFragrancePlasticizerSoftener and conditionerSolubility enhancerSolventSurfactant (surface active agent)
Regulatory List Membership (4)
EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics)IFRA Fragrance Transparency ListEPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for Hexylene Glycol — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Hexylene Glycol has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 2 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database. This ingredient has been reviewed by CIR Safety Assessment.
Is Hexylene Glycol allowed in the EU?
Hexylene Glycol EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Hexylene Glycol do in cosmetics?
Hexylene Glycol functions as: solvent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 107-41-5.
What is the NOAEL for Hexylene Glycol?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Hexylene Glycol is =250 mg/kg bw/day based on a reproduction developmental study via oral route in Rat. A total of 2 study endpoints are available. Source: ECHA.
Is Hexylene Glycol used outside cosmetics?
Hexylene Glycol 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.
Compliance Tools
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