Is Methoxyethanol safe in cosmetics?
Methoxyethanol has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: prohibited. US status: prohibited. 6 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Methoxyethanol
Also known as: Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, UN 1188 (DOT), EGME, Methyl cellosolve, Hisolve MC (+15 more)
INCI: METHOXYETHANOL
Methoxyethanol (CAS 109-86-4) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Solvent. NOAEL 43 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: prohibited. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 109-86-4 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Methoxyethanol is prohibited in EU cosmetics but has active industrial GHS classifications (H226, H302, H312, H332, H360, H370, H373, H360FD).
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu status; Chemicals: ghs classifications.signal word/hazard statement code
Function
Solvent
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
2-methoxyethanol
InChIKey
XNWFRZJHXBZDAG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
prohibited
US US Status
prohibited
US Notes
Not explicitly prohibited by FDA for cosmetics, but recognized as a reproductive toxicant by OSHA and listed under California Proposition 65; effectively avoided by responsible manufacturers
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Methoxyethanol.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
6 study endpoints found for Methoxyethanol. 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 | =12.5 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | developmental | ECHA |
| NOAEL | =25 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | reproduction developmental | ECHA |
| NOAEL | =43 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | short-term | ECHA |
| NOAEL | =100 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | developmental | ECHA |
| NOAEL | =125 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | subchronic | ECHA |
| NOAEL | =1250 mg/kg bw/day | dermal | Rat | chronic | ECHA |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is mildly irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system, blood, bone marrow, kidneys and liver. Exposure at high levels could cause unconsciousness. Medical observation is indicated.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance defats the skin, which may cause dryness or cracking. The substance may have effects on the blood and bone marrow. This may result in anaemia and lesions of blood cells. May cause toxicity to human reproduction or development.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Methoxyethanol across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
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 / Irritant
Hazard Class and Category
Flam. Liq. 3; Repr. 1B; Acute Tox. 4 *; Acute Tox. 4 *; Acute Tox. 4 *
Hazard Statements
- H226 Flammable liquid and vapour
- H360FD
- H332 Harmful if inhaled
- H312 Harmful in contact with skin
- H302 Harmful if swallowed
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
1,000 - 10,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
Yes (since 15-Dec-2010)
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
SVHC reason: Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c)
Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC)
Included: 15-Dec-2010
Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c)
Expanded Jurisdictional Detail
Additional regulatory detail beyond the 7-jurisdiction summary: Saudi SFDA, Korea MFDS, ASEAN ACD, Japan/Korea, Brazil/India, and cross-jurisdictional restriction entries.
ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (II)
Ref: 665
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (2)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA | banned | - | - |
| KR | prohibited | - | - |
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (4)
Carcinogen Classification
No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
Endocrine Disruptors
Potential endocrine disrupting compound
Source: NORMAN Suspect List Exchange
ICSC Safety Card
0061
Source: WHO/JECFA
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
Eye Irritation: guinea pig - slightly irritating | Eye Irritation: rabbit - slightly irritating | Skin Irritation: rabbit - slightly irritating | It is mildly irritating to the skin and eyes. | The substance is mildly irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Drier
Flow promoter
Solvent
Viscosity modifier
Regulatory List Membership (4)
California Proposition 65 (OEHHA)
EU Banned in Cosmetics
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Methoxyethanol.
Regulatory Flags
prop65
eu_banned_cosmetics
eu_cosing_listed
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Methoxyethanol by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
6
Lowest NOAEL
12.5 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
1250 mg/kg bw/day
ECHA
Known Synonyms
Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether
UN 1188 (DOT)
EGME
Methyl cellosolve
Hisolve MC
Methyl glycol
Methylcellosolve
4-01-00-02375
BRN 1731074
Caswell No. 551
EINECS 203-713-7
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 042202
Ethyleneglycol monomethyl ether
Glycol ether EM
Jeffersol EM
Monomethyl ether of ethylene glycol
Monomethyl glycol
2-Methoxy-aethanol
2-Metossietanolo
Ether monomethylique de l'ethylene-glycol
Chemical Function
Solvent
Viscosity modifier
Flow promoter
Regulatory Lists
Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; Europe
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
detected; drinking_water; MN Chemical Screening
detected; drinking_water; MN Chemical Screening
detected; drinking_water; MN Chemical Screening
detected; drinking_water; MN Chemical Screening
children; WA Children's Safe Product Act (4/2020)
Canada; pharmaceutical
children
children
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
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
2-METHOXYETHANOL
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL444144
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Methoxyethanol allowed in the EU?
Methoxyethanol EU regulatory status: prohibited. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Methoxyethanol do in cosmetics?
Methoxyethanol functions as: Solvent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 109-86-4.
What is the NOAEL for Methoxyethanol?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Methoxyethanol is =12.5 mg/kg bw/day based on a developmental study via oral route in Rat. A total of 6 study endpoints are available. Source: ECHA.
Is Methoxyethanol used outside cosmetics?
Methoxyethanol 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 Methoxyethanol have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Methoxyethanol is prohibited in EU cosmetics but has active industrial GHS classifications (H226, H302, H312, H332, H360, H370, H373, H360FD).
Compliance Tools
Check Methoxyethanol 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
Related Ingredients
C10-13 Isoparaffin
Excellent
Same category
Solvent
C9-14 Isoparaffin
Excellent
Same category
Solvent
PPG-10 Butanediol
Excellent
Same category
Solvent
Phosphate Buffered Saline
Excellent
Same category
Solvent, buffering agent
Water
Excellent
Same category
Solvent, vehicle/carrier
1,10-Decanediol
Good
Same category
Solvent
(20S)-Protopanaxadiol
Moderate
Similar safety
(Cnidium Officinale/Coptis Chinensis/Glycyrrhiza Uralensis) Root Extract
Moderate
Similar safety
Skin conditioning
(Cryptomeria Japonica/Chamaecyparis Obtusa) Stem Ferment Extract
Moderate
Similar safety
Antimicrobial, antioxidant, humectant
(Eclipta Prostrata/Houttuynia Cordata) Leaf Extract
Moderate
Similar safety
Skin conditioning
(Lepidium Meyenii/Sarcodon Aspratus) Root Water
Moderate
Similar safety
Skin conditioning
(Licorice/Reynoutria Japonica) Root/Stem Extract
Moderate
Similar safety
Skin conditioning, antioxidant
5-Hexen-2-One
Moderate
Chemical family
Flavouring and nutrient; Fragrance
Butyl Butyrate
Good
Chemical family
Solvent, masking agent, fragrance ing...
Butyl Isovalerate
Good
Chemical family
Fragrance
Is Methoxyethanol in Your Products?
Scan any product label with Piro — our free ingredient scanner. Point your camera at the ingredients list and get instant safety scores for every ingredient.
Try Piro Free →Analyze Your Full Ingredient List
Paste any INCI list into the Decoder for instant safety analysis, or calculate the Margin of Safety for Methoxyethanol in your formulation.