Excellent Antioxidant NOAEL Data

L-Leucine

INCI: LEUCINE

CAS Number
61-90-5
Function
Essential branched-chain amino acid that inhibits lipid peroxidation and enhances accessibility of fat-soluble ROS. The hydrophobic isobutyl side chain partitions into lipid membranes and sebaceous environments, scavenging fat-soluble reactive oxygen species and disrupting lipid peroxidation chain reactions. Also commonly used as a slip agent and texture modifier in cosmetic powder formulations.
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT

Regulatory Status

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ EU Status permitted
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ US Status permitted
US Notes FDA GRAS as direct food additive. CIR amino acid class assessed safe.

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

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
negligible
Sensitization
none

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Toxicological Studies

10 study endpoints found for L-Leucine. 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 8000 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Short Term Toxicity COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 7200 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Short Term Toxicity COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 5000 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Short Term Toxicity COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 1500 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Reproductive COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 7000 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Reproductive COSMOS_DB
dose_tested 8000 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Short Term Toxicity COSMOS_DB
dose_tested 7200 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Short Term Toxicity COSMOS_DB
dose_tested 5000 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Short Term Toxicity COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 5 other oral rat oral REACH
LOEL 2000 mg/kg bw/day oral rat oral REACH

Expert Verdict

L-Leucine is a branched-chain amino acid that inhibits lipid peroxidation by accessing fat-soluble ROS in the lipid phase, classified alongside valine and tyrosine in this antioxidant subcategory. Its hydrophobic isobutyl side chain provides strong lipid-phase partitioning. Also widely used as a powder flow agent and texture modifier. GRAS and CIR-class safe with no restrictions.

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Concern Level: None

Regulatory Flags

gras-fda cir-approved antioxidant lipid-peroxidation-inhibitor branched-chain slip-agent eu_children_restricted fda_food_additive jecfa_safe

Frequently Asked Questions

Is L-Leucine safe in cosmetics?

L-Leucine is a branched-chain amino acid that inhibits lipid peroxidation by accessing fat-soluble ROS in the lipid phase, classified alongside valine and tyrosine in this antioxidant subcategory. Its hydrophobic isobutyl side chain provides strong lipid-phase partitioning. Also widely used as a powder flow agent and texture modifier. GRAS and CIR-class safe with no restrictions. The EU classifies L-Leucine as "permitted". Safety rating: EXCELLENT. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.

Is L-Leucine allowed in the EU?

L-Leucine EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does L-Leucine do in cosmetics?

L-Leucine functions as: Essential branched-chain amino acid that inhibits lipid peroxidation and enhances accessibility of fat-soluble ROS. The hydrophobic isobutyl side chain partitions into lipid membranes and sebaceous environments, scavenging fat-soluble reactive oxygen species and disrupting lipid peroxidation chain reactions. Also commonly used as a slip agent and texture modifier in cosmetic powder formulations.. It is classified as a Antioxidant in our database. CAS number: 61-90-5.

What is the Margin of Safety for L-Leucine?

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 L-Leucine?

The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for L-Leucine is 8000 mg/kg bw/day based on a Short Term Toxicity study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.

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