Is Lecithin safe in cosmetics?
Lecithin has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Lecithin
Also known as: Lecithins, Soybean lecithin, Acti-flow 68-sb, EINECS 232-307-2, Emulthin M-35 (+4 more)
INCI: LECITHIN
Lecithin (CAS 8002-43-5) is a cosmetic emulsifier functioning as Complex phospholipid mixture (principally phosphatidylcholine, PC) from. 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 data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 8002-43-5 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Complex phospholipid mixture (principally phosphatidylcholine, PC) from soybean, sunflower, or egg sources. Functions as natural emulsifier, skin-conditioning agent, penetration enhancer, and liposomal bilayer-forming material. Commercial grades range from ≥45% PC (lecithin fractions) to ≥94% PC (high-purity fractions). COSMOS-approved non-GMO sunflower variants available. Platform for liposomal delivery of hydrophilic actives (vitamin C, caffeine) and lipophilic actives (CoQ10, vitamins A/E).
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
FDA GRAS under 21 CFR 184.1400 (direct food substance, no numerical limit). Listed in FDA Inactive Ingredients Database for topical, oral, injection, and other routes. CIR 2020 safety assessment covers lecithin and 16 other phosphoglycerides — safe as used in all cosmetic categories without concentration restriction. BSE/TSE: FDA prohibits bovine specified risk materials; verify source for animal-derived lecithin.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Lecithin.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Lecithin, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
4-10%
Penetration Level
stratum-corneum
Penetration Depth
stratum corneum/epidermis
Molecular Weight
Variable Da
Log P
n/a
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
2-8%
Safety Margin Factor
low
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation
Source: Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2007
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
1 toxicity value from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | =3750 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | chronic | EFSA |
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
anti_aging
{"anti_aging_claim": "barrier-repair, hydration-plumping", "mechanism_of_action": "Lipid barrier restoration, TEWL reduction, emollient", "target_skin_layer": "stratum corneum", "collagen_stimulation": "No", "elastin_protection": "No", "wrinkle_reduction_pct": "6-12", "clinical_study_duration_weeks": "8", "sample_size": "30", "double_blind": "No", "placebo_controlled": "Yes", "published_journal": …
comedogenicity_detail
{"comedogenicity_rating": "2", "irritancy_rating": "1", "skin_type_suitability": "dry,sensitive,combination,normal", "acne_safe": "caution", "source": "Natural emulsifier"}
concentration
{"min_concentration_pct": "0.5", "max_concentration_pct": "3.0", "typical_concentration_pct": "1.5", "product_type": "Moisturizer", "function_at_concentration": "Emulsifier", "source": "CIR Safety Assessment"}
cost_pricing
{"cost_tier": "mid-range", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_low": "15", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_high": "30", "natural_premium_markup_pct": "30", "organic_certified_premium_pct": "60", "supply_chain_volatility": "medium", "primary_source_region": "Soy: Global, Sunflower: EU", "synthetic_vs_natural_cost_ratio": "1.8", "bulk_discount_threshold_kg": "200", "seasonal_price_variation": "medium", "commodity…
deodorant
{"cas_number": "8002-43-5", "ingredient_class": "other", "mechanism_of_action": "other", "antiperspirant_efficacy_sweat_reduction_pct": "0", "deodorant_efficacy_hours": "0", "odor_reduction_pct": "0", "bacteriostatic": "no", "bactericidal": "no", "microbiome_impact": "neutral", "axillary_microbiome_effect": "varies by ingredient", "MIC_value_if_antimicrobial": "varies", "astringency_level": "varie…
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "Variable", "skin_penetration_level": "stratum-corneum", "penetration_depth": "stratum corneum/epidermis", "absorption_pct": "4-10", "systemic_absorption": "minimal", "penetration_enhancer": "yes", "occlusion_effect": "no", "vehicle_dependent": "yes", "skin_barrier_effect": "strengthens", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "2-8", "safety_margin_factor": "low", "source": "Eur J …
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "yes", "biodegradation_days": "28-60", "bioaccumulative": "no", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "low", "coral_reef_safe": "yes", "marine_toxicity": "very low toxicity", "freshwater_toxicity": "minimal impact", "endocrine_disruptor": "no", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "no", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "no", "hawaii_banned": "no", "eu_restricted_environmental": "no", "palm_…
emulsifier
{"cas_number": "8002-43-5", "ingredient_class": "O/W_emulsifier,liquid_crystal_former", "chemical_type": "lecithin", "HLB_value": "9.0", "HLB_required_for_oil_phase": "8-10", "emulsion_type_primary": "O/W", "droplet_size_typical_um": "5-15", "surface_tension_reduction_mN_m": "31", "interfacial_tension_reduction": "35", "foam_formation": "low", "foam_stability": "low", "liquid_crystal_formation": "…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-caking agent
Anti-static agent
Antioxidant
Drier
Emulsifier
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
Humectant
Lubricating agent
Pharmaceutical excipient
Regulatory List Membership (6)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Consumer Product Chemical
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Lecithin.
Regulatory Flags
penetration-enhancer
allergen-risk-soy
allergen-risk-egg
gmo-consideration
cosmos-approved
gras-fda
liposomal-delivery
eu_children_restricted
epa_safer_alternative
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
jecfa_safe
Known Synonyms
Lecithins
Soybean lecithin
Acti-flow 68-sb
EINECS 232-307-2
Emulthin M-35
Ovovitellin
Phosphatidylcholine
Vitellin
L-α-Phosphatidylcholine
Chemical Function
Softener and conditioner
Humectant
Anti-static agent
Emulsifier
Regulatory Lists
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
IFRA Transparency
SCIL (9/2019)
consumer_product
drinking_water; Europe; manufacturing; plastic_additive
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
Europe; Personal care
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lecithin allowed in the EU?
Lecithin EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Lecithin do in cosmetics?
Lecithin functions as: Complex phospholipid mixture (principally phosphatidylcholine, PC) from soybean, sunflower, or egg sources. Functions as natural emulsifier, skin-conditioning agent, penetration enhancer, and liposomal bilayer-forming material. Commercial grades range from ≥45% PC (lecithin fractions) to ≥94% PC (high-purity fractions). COSMOS-approved non-GMO sunflower variants available. Platform for liposomal delivery of hydrophilic actives (vitamin C, caffeine) and lipophilic actives (CoQ10, vitamins A/E).. It is classified as a Emulsifier in our database. CAS number: 8002-43-5.
Is Lecithin used outside cosmetics?
Lecithin also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Lecithin 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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