Is L-Ergothioneine safe in cosmetics?
L-Ergothioneine has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
EXCELLENT
Cosmetic Ingredient
L-Ergothioneine
Also known as: (S)-(1-Carboxy-2-(2-mercaptoimidazol-4-yl)ethyl)trimethylammonium hydroxide List Acronyms, 1H-Imidazole-4-ethanaminium, alpha-carboxy-2,3-dihydro-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-thioxo-, hydroxide, inner salt, 1H-Imidazole-4-ethanaminium, alpha-carboxy-2,3-dihydro-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-thioxo-, inner salt, (alphaS)-, 1H-Imidazole-4-ethanaminium, alpha-carboxy-2,3-dihydro-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-thioxo-, inner salt, (S)-, 1H-Imidazole-4-ethaniminium, alpha-carboxy-2,3-dihydro-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-thioxo-, hydroxide, inner salt, (S)- (+1 more)
INCI: ERGOTHIONEINE
L-Ergothioneine (CAS 497-30-3) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Antioxidant, Skin conditioning. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in pharmaceutical and food safety data.
Function
Antioxidant, Skin conditioning
Editorial assessment
EXCELLENT
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
GRAS status evaluated by FDA; no cosmetic-specific restrictions; widely used in premium skincare
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for L-Ergothioneine.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Antioxidant
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for L-Ergothioneine — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
antioxidant
amino-acid-derivative
anti-aging
mushroom-derived
skin-conditioning
brightening
OCTN-1-transporter
Known Synonyms
(S)-(1-Carboxy-2-(2-mercaptoimidazol-4-yl)ethyl)trimethylammonium hydroxide List Acronyms
1H-Imidazole-4-ethanaminium, alpha-carboxy-2,3-dihydro-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-thioxo-, hydroxide, inner salt
1H-Imidazole-4-ethanaminium, alpha-carboxy-2,3-dihydro-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-thioxo-, inner salt, (alphaS)-
1H-Imidazole-4-ethanaminium, alpha-carboxy-2,3-dihydro-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-thioxo-, inner salt, (S)-
1H-Imidazole-4-ethaniminium, alpha-carboxy-2,3-dihydro-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-thioxo-, hydroxide, inner salt, (S)-
Ammonium, (1-carboxy-2-(2-mercaptoimidazol-4-yl)ethyl)trimethyl-, hydroxide, inner salt, L-(+)-
Chemical Function
Antioxidant
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical and food safety data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL5209630
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
fda_gras_enriched
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
Ergothioneine
FDA GRAS
FDA has no questions
GRN
734
For use as a nutrient supplement in cakes, cookies, pastries (including granola bars); coffee; tea; fruit drinks and ades; carbonated soft drinks; and candy containing chocolate at a levels intended to provide 5 mg/serving ergothionine.
View full food safety profile →Frequently Asked Questions
Is L-Ergothioneine allowed in the EU?
L-Ergothioneine EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does L-Ergothioneine do in cosmetics?
L-Ergothioneine functions as: Antioxidant, Skin conditioning. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 497-30-3.
Is L-Ergothioneine used outside cosmetics?
L-Ergothioneine also appears in pharmaceutical and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check L-Ergothioneine compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
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Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
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Heavy Metal Limits
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