Regulatory Status
For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for Methylcellulose. 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 | 700 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 160 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 2500 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Carcinogenicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 1600 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 1200 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 1320 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 1000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | hamster | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 685 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rabbit | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 5000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Subchronic | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 436 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Subchronic | COSMOS_DB |
Expert Verdict
Generally regarded as safe; non-toxic, non-irritating, non-sensitizing at cosmetic use levels. Modified cellulose polymer of synthetic/plant origin; excellent film-forming and thickening capabilities; water-soluble; thermogelling behavior (gels upon heating, liquefies upon cooling - unusual reverse thermal gelation)
Regulatory Flags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Methylcellulose safe in cosmetics?
Generally regarded as safe; non-toxic, non-irritating, non-sensitizing at cosmetic use levels. Modified cellulose polymer of synthetic/plant origin; excellent film-forming and thickening capabilities; water-soluble; thermogelling behavior (gels upon heating, liquefies upon cooling - unusual reverse thermal gelation) The EU classifies Methylcellulose as "permitted". Safety rating: MODERATE. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Is Methylcellulose allowed in the EU?
Methylcellulose EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Methylcellulose do in cosmetics?
Methylcellulose functions as: Binding (cohesion of powdered products), emulsion stabilising, light stabilizer (protects product from photodegradation), viscosity controlling. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9004-67-5.
What is the Margin of Safety for Methylcellulose?
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 Methylcellulose?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Methylcellulose is 700 mg/kg bw/day based on a Developmental study via oral route in mouse. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.
Compliance Tools
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Related Ingredients
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