Is Isopentane safe in cosmetics?
Isopentane has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Isopentane
Also known as: EINECS 201-142-8, Ethyldimethylmethane, UNII-ZH67814I0O, (CH3)2CH-CH2-CH3, 1,1-dimethylpropane (+4 more)
INCI: ISOPENTANE
Isopentane (CAS 78-78-4) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Propellant, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted; GHS signal word DANGER. 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 78-78-4 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Isopentane is classified GHS Danger (H224, H304, H336, H411, H315, H319, H335, H401) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu status; Chemicals: ghs classifications.signal word/hazard statement code
Function
Propellant, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
2-methylbutane
InChIKey
QWTDNUCVQCZILF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
CIR Expert Panel concluded safe under present practices of concentration and use; reaffirmed 2002
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Isopentane.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Signal Word
DANGER
Pictograms
FlamFlameExcl markWarnCancerHealth haz
Hazard Statements
Extremely flammable liquid and vapour May cause drowsiness or dizziness May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways Toxic to aquatic life
Short-term Exposure Effects
If swallowed the substance easily enters the airways and could result in aspiration pneumonitis. Inhalation of high concentrations of the vapour may cause depression of the central nervous system.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance defats the skin, which may cause dryness or cracking.
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
FlammableHealth HazardHarmful / IrritantEnvironmental Hazard
Hazard Class and Category
Flam. Liq. 1; Asp. Tox. 1; STOT SE 3; Aquatic Chronic 2
Hazard Statements
- H224 Extremely flammable liquid and vapour
- H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
- H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
- H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100,000 - 1,000,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (3)
Carcinogen Classification
Isopentane is found in gasoline, which is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). (L135)
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
ICSC Safety Card
1153
Source: WHO/JECFA
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
High vapor concentrations are irritating to the skin and eyes.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Propellants
non-motive (blowing agents)
Solvent
Viscosity modifier
Regulatory List Membership (1)
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Isopentane.
Regulatory Flags
propellant
solvent
VOC
aerosol
flammable
Known Synonyms
EINECS 201-142-8
Ethyldimethylmethane
UNII-ZH67814I0O
(CH3)2CH-CH2-CH3
1,1-dimethylpropane
R-601a
dimethylethylmethane
iso-C5H12
isoamylhydride
Chemical Function
Solvent
Propellants
non-motive (blowing agents)
Viscosity modifier
Regulatory Lists
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods
detected; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts adhesive; Europe
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Isopentane allowed in the EU?
Isopentane EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Isopentane do in cosmetics?
Isopentane functions as: Propellant, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 78-78-4.
Is Isopentane classified as hazardous under GHS?
Isopentane carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Extremely flammable liquid and vapour May cause drowsiness or dizziness May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways Toxic to aquatic life. This classification is based on the ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Card and ECHA C&L inventory data. Note: GHS classification applies to the pure substance — at cosmetic use concentrations, hazard thresholds may not be met.
Is Isopentane used outside cosmetics?
Isopentane also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Isopentane have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Isopentane is classified GHS Danger (H224, H304, H336, H411, H315, H319, H335, H401) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Isopentane 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
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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Chemical family
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Chemical family
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