Moderate Cosmetic Ingredient NOAEL Data GHS Classified

Isobutyric Acid

INCI: ISOBUTYRIC ACID

CAS Number
79-31-2
Function
Fragrance
Safety Rating
MODERATE

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Allowed in cosmetics; also GRAS as food flavoring

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

Safety Data

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

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Toxicological Studies

4 study endpoints found for Isobutyric Acid. 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
NOEL 316 mg/kg bw/day oral rat oral REACH
NOEL 375 mg/kg bw/day oral rat oral REACH
NOAEL 1000 mg/kg bw/day oral rat oral REACH
NOAEL 610 mg/kg bw/day oral rat oral REACH

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 corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.

Expert Verdict

RIFM comprehensive safety assessment found no safety concerns for skin sensitization at current declared use levels; exposure below DST; not expected to be phototoxic/photoallergenic; no genotoxicity concern; screening-level PEC/PNEC < 1, indicating low aquatic environmental risk. Short-chain branched carboxylic acid (2-methylpropanoic acid); pungent, cheese-like odor in concentrated form; IFRA-compliant (51st Amendment confirmed); propionic acid and isovaleric acid serve as read-across analo...

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Concern Level: High

Regulatory Flags

potential-allergen fragrance-component ifra_fragrance fda_food_additive jecfa_safe

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Isobutyric Acid safe in cosmetics?

RIFM comprehensive safety assessment found no safety concerns for skin sensitization at current declared use levels; exposure below DST; not expected to be phototoxic/photoallergenic; no genotoxicity concern; screening-level PEC/PNEC < 1, indicating low aquatic environmental risk. Short-chain branched carboxylic acid (2-methylpropanoic acid); pungent, cheese-like odor in concentrated form; IFRA-compliant (51st Amendment confirmed); propionic acid and isovaleric acid serve as read-across analo... The EU classifies Isobutyric Acid as "permitted". Safety rating: MODERATE. 4 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.

Is Isobutyric Acid allowed in the EU?

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

What does Isobutyric Acid do in cosmetics?

Isobutyric Acid functions as: Fragrance. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 79-31-2.

What is the Margin of Safety for Isobutyric Acid?

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.

What is the NOAEL for Isobutyric Acid?

The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Isobutyric Acid is 316 mg/kg bw/day based on a oral study via oral route in rat. A total of 4 study endpoints are available. Source: REACH.

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