Octoxynol-3

INCI: OCTOXYNOL-3

CAS Number
9002-93-1 (generic polymer); 2315-62-0 / 27176-94-9 (discrete)
Function
Surfactant — emulsifying, cleansing, solubilizing
Safety Rating
MODERATE

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Permitted — not on FDA prohibited/restricted list (21 CFR 700). CIR: safe in rinse-off; ≤ 5% in leave-on

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

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
moderate
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Potential residual EO, 1,4-dioxane, unreacted alkylphenol from synthesis; higher irritation potential vs. high-EO homologues; degrades to environmental endocrine disruptor; not COSMOS/ECOCERT eligible (ethoxylated)

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Concern Level: Moderate

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Octoxynol-3 safe in cosmetics?

Potential residual EO, 1,4-dioxane, unreacted alkylphenol from synthesis; higher irritation potential vs. high-EO homologues; degrades to environmental endocrine disruptor; not COSMOS/ECOCERT eligible (ethoxylated) The EU classifies Octoxynol-3 as "permitted". Safety rating: MODERATE.

Is Octoxynol-3 allowed in the EU?

Octoxynol-3 EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Octoxynol-3 do in cosmetics?

Octoxynol-3 functions as: Surfactant — emulsifying, cleansing, solubilizing. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9002-93-1 (generic polymer); 2315-62-0 / 27176-94-9 (discrete).

What is the Margin of Safety for Octoxynol-3?

adequate 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.

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