Moderate Cosmetic Ingredient GHS Classified

Methyl Pyrrolidone

INCI: METHYL PYRROLIDONE (N-METHYL-2-PYRROLIDONE, NMP)

CAS Number
872-50-4
Function
Solvent, surfactant; enhances dermal absorption of other cosmetic ingredients
Safety Rating
MODERATE

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status prohibited
EU Max Conc. 5%
🇺🇸 US Status prohibited
US Notes Not explicitly banned by FDA for cosmetics, but listed by US EPA and California Proposition 65 as a developmental toxin

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

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
low
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

GHS Hazard Classification

Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.

Signal Word
WARNING
Pictograms
excl mark;warn; cancer;health haz
Hazard Statements
Combustible liquid May be harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye irritation May cause respiratory irritation Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. The substance is mildly irritating to the skin. Exposure to very high concentrations could cause lowering of consciousness.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. Animal tests show that this substance possibly causes toxic effects upon human reproduction.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.

Expert Verdict

CMR Category 1B (reproductive toxicant); developmental toxin; enhances transdermal penetration of co-formulated ingredients, amplifying systemic exposure risk. Powerful aprotic solvent; fully miscible with water; manufacturers must reformulate to eliminate this ingredient from EU-market cosmetics

⚠️
Concern Level: High

Regulatory Flags

prop65 eu_banned_cosmetics eu_cosing_listed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Methyl Pyrrolidone safe in cosmetics?

CMR Category 1B (reproductive toxicant); developmental toxin; enhances transdermal penetration of co-formulated ingredients, amplifying systemic exposure risk. Powerful aprotic solvent; fully miscible with water; manufacturers must reformulate to eliminate this ingredient from EU-market cosmetics The EU classifies Methyl Pyrrolidone as "prohibited". Safety rating: MODERATE.

Is Methyl Pyrrolidone allowed in the EU?

Methyl Pyrrolidone EU regulatory status: prohibited. Maximum allowed concentration: 5%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Methyl Pyrrolidone do in cosmetics?

Methyl Pyrrolidone functions as: Solvent, surfactant; enhances dermal absorption of other cosmetic ingredients. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 872-50-4.

What is the Margin of Safety for Methyl Pyrrolidone?

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.

Is Methyl Pyrrolidone classified as hazardous under GHS?

Methyl Pyrrolidone carries a GHS signal word of "WARNING". Hazard statements: Combustible liquid May be harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye irritation May cause respiratory irritation Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child. This classification is based on the ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Card and ECHA C&L inventory data. Note: GHS classification applies to the pure substance — at cosmetic use concentrations, hazard thresholds may not be met.

Compliance Tools

Check Methyl Pyrrolidone compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

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Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
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Substance Compliance
Check compliance across 55 jurisdictions
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
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Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions

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