Is Microcrystalline Wax safe in cosmetics?
Microcrystalline Wax has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Excellent
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Also known as: Hydrocarbon waxes (petroleum), hydrotreated microcryst., Hydrocarbon waxes, (petroleum), hydrotreated microcryst., EINECS 265-163-4, Hydrotreated microcrystalline wax
INCI: CERA MICROCRISTALLINA
Microcrystalline Wax (CAS 64742-60-5) is a cosmetic emollient functioning as wax structurant, thickener, oil binder, film-forming agent. 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 64742-60-5 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
wax structurant, thickener, oil binder, film-forming agent
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Chemistry & Identifiers
EC Number
265-163-4
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
GRAS status confirmed. Listed in FDA Inactive Ingredients Database for topical, oral, and vaginal preparations. Permitted under 21 CFR 172.886 (food contact) and 21 CFR 178.3710. No sunscreen active classification. No specific cosmetic use restrictions; CIR safety assessment (1984, reaffirmed 2005) supports safe use.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Microcrystalline Wax.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10,000 - 100,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Binder
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Microcrystalline Wax.
Regulatory Flags
eu-unrestricted
cir-approved
no-sccs-opinion
gras-fda
Known Synonyms
Hydrocarbon waxes (petroleum), hydrotreated microcryst.
Hydrocarbon waxes, (petroleum), hydrotreated microcryst.
EINECS 265-163-4
Hydrotreated microcrystalline wax
Chemical Function
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Binder
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Microcrystalline Wax allowed in the EU?
Microcrystalline Wax EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Microcrystalline Wax do in cosmetics?
Microcrystalline Wax functions as: wax structurant, thickener, oil binder, film-forming agent. It is classified as a Emollient in our database. CAS number: 64742-60-5.
Is Microcrystalline Wax used outside cosmetics?
Microcrystalline Wax 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 Microcrystalline Wax compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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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
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C10-11 Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Moderate
Chemical family
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C10-11 Isoparaffin
Excellent
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C10-12 Alkane/Cycloalkane
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