Is L-Glutamic Acid safe in cosmetics?
L-Glutamic Acid has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
EXCELLENT
Humectant
L-Glutamic Acid
INCI: GLUTAMIC ACID
L-Glutamic Acid (CAS 56-86-0) is a cosmetic humectant functioning as Enzymatically converts to pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA), the largest single. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
L-Glutamic Acid is classified GHS Danger (H314, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu status; Chemicals: ghs classifications.signal word/hazard statement code
Function
Enzymatically converts to pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA), the largest single component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). Ion-pair formulations with L-arginine enhance percutaneous absorption.
Editorial assessment
EXCELLENT
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
FDA GRAS status; CIR-assessed safe as used in cosmetics.
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-Glutamic Acid.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for L-Glutamic Acid — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
fda_food_additive
Chemical Function
Humectant
Anti-static agent
Softener and conditioner
Flavouring and nutrient
pH regulating agent
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
GLUTAMIC ACID
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL575060
Max Phase
3
Adverse Event Associations
2
Frequently Asked Questions
Is L-Glutamic Acid allowed in the EU?
L-Glutamic Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does L-Glutamic Acid do in cosmetics?
L-Glutamic Acid functions as: Enzymatically converts to pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA), the largest single component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). Ion-pair formulations with L-arginine enhance percutaneous absorption.. It is classified as a Humectant in our database. CAS number: 56-86-0.
Is L-Glutamic Acid used outside cosmetics?
L-Glutamic Acid 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.
Does L-Glutamic Acid have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
L-Glutamic Acid is classified GHS Danger (H314, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check L-Glutamic Acid compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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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
Is L-Glutamic Acid in Your Products?
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