Is Musk Xylene safe in cosmetics?
Musk Xylene has a safety rating of "POOR" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: permitted. 4 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Musk Xylene
Also known as: Benzene, 1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6-trinitro-, 4-05-00-01132, Benzene, 1-tert-butyl-3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6-trinitro-, BRN 2015910, 5-tert-Butyl-2,4,6-trinitroxylene (+10 more)
INCI: MUSK XYLENE
Musk Xylene (CAS 81-15-2) is a cosmetic fragrance functioning as Fragrance fixative (nitro-musk, powdery-musky odor). Reported NOAEL =10 mg/kg/d (SCCNFP Opinion); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Musk Xylene is classified GHS Danger (H228, H320, H351, H201, H410, H400) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu status; Chemicals: ghs classifications.signal word/hazard statement code
Function
Fragrance fixative (nitro-musk, powdery-musky odor)
Editorial assessment
POOR
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
1-tert-butyl-3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene
InChIKey
XMWRWTSZNLOZFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
No federal US ban. IFRA 51st Amendment (Oct 2025 full compliance deadline) actively encourages replacement with macrocyclic alternatives such as ambrettolide and cashmeran.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Musk Xylene.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
4 study endpoints found for Musk Xylene. 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 | =10 mg/kg/d | - | - | reproductive toxicity | SCCNFP Opinion |
| NOAEL | =10 mg/kg/d | - | - | reproductive toxicity | SCCNFP Opinion |
| NOAEL | =10 mg/kg/d | - | - | reproductive toxicity | SCCNFP Opinion |
| NOAEL | =10 mg/kg/d | - | - | reproductive toxicity | SCCNFP Opinion |
Sensitization Profile
Contact sensitization data for Musk Xylene based on clinical patch test studies and IFRA standards.
Sensitization Rate
low
Allergen Class
fragrance
EU Allergen Listed
no
Patch Test Positive Rate
0.1%
Cross-reactivity Group
nitromusk-group
Reaction Type
contact-dermatitis
IFRA Restricted
Source: SCCS Opinion
IARC Carcinogenicity
International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) monograph evaluation.
IARC Group
3
Volume
65
Evaluation Year
1995
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
ExplosiveHealth HazardEnvironmental Hazard
Hazard Class and Category
Expl. 1.1; Carc. 2; Aquatic Acute 1; Aquatic Chronic 1
Hazard Statements
- H201
- H351 Suspected of causing cancer
- H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
- H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
HRIPT Human Patch Test Studies
1 human repeat insult patch test aggregated from dermatological literature.
| Test Type | N | Sensitized | Dose µg/cm² | NESIL µg/cm² | Potency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMT | - | 0 | 3240 | - | - |
Endocrine Disruptor Evidence (Expanded)
Cross-referenced EDC classifications, mechanism data, and dose-response evidence from EDLists, SIN List, and cosmetic-specific detail sources.
Cosmetic-Specific Mechanism
Category: fragrance
Receptor targets: ERα (via amino-metabolites)
LOEC: 10 µM
EU status: banned (Annex II) since 2004
weak agonist
Dose-Response Data Points
| Endpoint | Target | Value | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| cell_proliferation | ERα | 10 mmol/L mmol/L | agonist |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC)
Included: 28-Oct-2008
vPvB (Article 57e)
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.
SA Saudi SFDA (III - Restricted)
Product type: All cosmetic products, with the exception of oral products Note: 'Due to environmental concerns, musk xylene is included in the authorisation list (Annex IV) of REACH. Musk xylene cannot be placed on the market or used unless authorisation has been granted under REACH’. Max: (a) 1.0% in fine fragrance (b) 0.4% in eau de toilette (c) 0.03% in other products.
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
Brazil: Restricted · max a) 1% em fragrâncias finas; b) 0,4% em colônias; c) 0,03% em outros produtos.
India: Restricted · max (a) 1.0% in fine fragrance (b) 0.4% in eau de toilette (c) 0.03% in other products
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (2)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BR | restricted | 1 (fine frag) / 0.4 (cologne) / 0.03 (other) | a) Fine fragrances 1%; b) Cologne 0.4%; c) Other products 0.03%; not in oral hygiene products |
| ASEAN | restricted | 1.0% (fine fragrance ≥20%); 0.4% (EdT ≥8%); 0.03% (other) | Fragrances — fine fragrance, eau de toilette, other |
Expanded Dermal Absorption Data
Cross-database dermal penetration: EPA Dryad physics-based, Roberts Mendeley permeation, and SCCS-aggregated measured values.
Aggregated DA Values (1 records across 5 sources)
| Type | DA % | Method | Skin Model | SCCS Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| measured_in_vitro | 22 | In vitro; human skin; Hood et al. 1996 | Human skin in vitro | SCCNFP/0817/04; Hood et al. 1996 (1996) |
IFRA Concentration Limits (12 Product Categories)
International Fragrance Association standards per product category. Restriction: Prohibition. Effective: 2009-01-01.
| Category | Max % | Category | Max % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Lip products) | 0.0% | 7a (Deodorant – not spray) | 0.0% |
| 2 (Body spray) | 0.0% | 7b (Deodorant spray) | 0.0% |
| 3 (Body cream) | 0.0% | 8 (Face cream) | 0.0% |
| 4 (Fine fragrance) | 0.0% | 9 (Soap) | 0.0% |
| 5a (Body lotion) | 0.0% | 10a (Household – non-spray) | 0.0% |
| 5b (Face cream leave-on) | 0.0% | 10b (Household – spray) | 0.0% |
| 5c (Hand cream) | 0.0% | 11a (Intimate – leave-on) | 0.0% |
| 5d (Baby cream) | 0.0% | 11b (Intimate – rinse) | 0.0% |
| 6 (Mouthwash) | 0.0% | 12 (Not for consumer exposure) | 0.0% |
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (3)
Carcinogen Classification
Musk xylene | Group 3: Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans | Volume 65: (1996) Printing Processes and Printing Inks, Carbon Black and Some Nitro Compounds
Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Evidence for Carcinogenicity
Evaluation: There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of musk xylene. There is limited evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of musk xylene. Musk xylene is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
A human skin irritant.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Deodorizer
Fragrance
Regulatory List Membership (1)
EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for Musk Xylene — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
nitro-musk
phototoxic
photomutagenic
bioaccumulation
environmental-persistence
ifra-phase-out
eu-restricted
endocrine_disruptor
eu_cosing_listed
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Musk Xylene by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
4
Lowest NOAEL
10 mg/kg/d
Highest NOAEL
10 mg/kg/d
SCCNFP Opinion
Dermal Absorption
View details ->| Absorption % | Method | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | In vitro; human skin; Hood et al. 1996 | O/W emulsion and methanol |
Known Synonyms
Benzene, 1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6-trinitro-
4-05-00-01132
Benzene, 1-tert-butyl-3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6-trinitro-
BRN 2015910
5-tert-Butyl-2,4,6-trinitroxylene
1-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene
EINECS 201-329-4
2,4,6-Trinitro-1,3-dimethyl-5-tert-butylbenzene
Musk xylol
NSC 59844
m-Xylene, 5-tert-butyl-2,4,6-trinitro-
UNII-1ZAO16GU5K
2,4,6-Trinitro-3,5-dimethyl-1-tert-butylbenzene
2,4,6-Trinitro-5-tert-butyl-m-xylene
Xylene musk
Chemical Function
Deodorizer
Fragrance
Regulatory Lists
Europe; Personal care; restricted
Europe
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.
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL228513
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Musk Xylene allowed in the EU?
Musk Xylene EU regulatory status: restricted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Musk Xylene do in cosmetics?
Musk Xylene functions as: Fragrance fixative (nitro-musk, powdery-musky odor). It is classified as a Fragrance in our database. CAS number: 81-15-2.
What is the NOAEL for Musk Xylene?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Musk Xylene is =10 mg/kg/d based on a reproductive toxicity study via oral route in rat. A total of 4 study endpoints are available. Source: SCCNFP Opinion.
Is Musk Xylene used outside cosmetics?
Musk Xylene 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 Musk Xylene have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Musk Xylene is classified GHS Danger (H228, H320, H351, H201, H410, H400) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Musk Xylene 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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