Is Phosphatidylcholine safe in cosmetics?
Phosphatidylcholine has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Phosphatidylcholine
Also known as: Lecithins, Soybean lecithin, Acti-flow 68-sb, EINECS 232-307-2, Emulthin M-35 (+3 more)
INCI: PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE
Phosphatidylcholine (CAS 8002-43-5) is a cosmetic emulsifier functioning as Principal phospholipid emulsifier and bilayer-forming material for cosmetic. 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 and food safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 8002-43-5 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Principal phospholipid emulsifier and bilayer-forming material for cosmetic delivery systems. Sourced from soybean, sunflower, or egg lecithin. Forms liposomal vesicles for delivery of hydrophilic actives (vitamin C, caffeine) and lipophilic actives (CoQ10, vitamins A/E). Commercial purity grades range from ≥45% PC (lecithin fractions) to ≥94% PC (high-purity PHOSPHOLIPON 90 G type). COSMOS-approved non-GMO sunflower variants available.
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
FDA GRAS for food use. CIR reviewed and safe. Sunflower PC preferred for non-GMO/COSMOS compliance. Biocompatible, biodegradable, and minimally immunogenic.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Phosphatidylcholine.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Phosphatidylcholine, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
5-12%
Penetration Level
stratum-corneum
Penetration Depth
stratum corneum/epidermis
Molecular Weight
758.1 Da
Log P
5.5
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
3-10%
Safety Margin Factor
moderate
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation
Source: J Liposome Res 2012
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
1 toxicity value from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | =3750 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | chronic | EFSA |
Additional Ingredient Properties
7 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
anti_aging
{"anti_aging_claim": "barrier-repair, hydration-plumping", "mechanism_of_action": "Lipid barrier restoration, TEWL reduction, emollient", "target_skin_layer": "stratum corneum", "collagen_stimulation": "No", "elastin_protection": "No", "wrinkle_reduction_pct": "8-15", "clinical_study_duration_weeks": "8", "sample_size": "30", "double_blind": "No", "placebo_controlled": "Yes", "published_journal": …
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "758.1", "log_p_value": "5.5", "skin_penetration_level": "stratum-corneum", "penetration_depth": "stratum corneum/epidermis", "absorption_pct": "5-12", "systemic_absorption": "minimal", "penetration_enhancer": "yes", "occlusion_effect": "no", "vehicle_dependent": "yes", "skin_barrier_effect": "strengthens", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "3-10", "safety_margin_factor": "mod…
emulsifier
{"cas_number": "8002-43-5", "ingredient_class": "O/W_emulsifier,liquid_crystal_former", "chemical_type": "lecithin", "HLB_value": "10.0", "HLB_required_for_oil_phase": "9-11", "emulsion_type_primary": "O/W", "droplet_size_typical_um": "5-15", "surface_tension_reduction_mN_m": "32", "interfacial_tension_reduction": "36", "foam_formation": "low", "foam_stability": "low", "liquid_crystal_formation": …
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_value": "3.5", "hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "yes", "emulsifier_type": "w_o", "critical_packing_parameter": "0.58-0.78", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "electrostatic_steric", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "xanthan_gum,cholesterol", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "60-88", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "12-40", "electrolyte_tolerance": "moderate", "pH_emulsion_stability_range": "4.0-7.5", "viscosity_bui…
pregnancy_detail
{"pregnancy_safe": "yes", "breastfeeding_safe": "yes", "risk_category": "not-rated", "reason": "Safe; naturally occurring phospholipid", "source": "dermatology literature"}
surfactant
{"cas_number": "52835-65-5", "surfactant_type": "nonionic", "chemical_class": "fatty_acid_soap", "charge_at_use_ph": "neutral", "cmc_critical_micelle_concentration_mm": "6.762906302853345", "hlb_value": "30.72252245140017", "foam_volume_ml_ross_miles": "129", "foam_quality": "dense", "foam_stability_5min_pct": "82", "cleansing_power_rating_1_to_10": "8.316847242417646", "oil_emulsification_capacit…
synergy
{"inci_name_2": "Caffeine + Carnitine", "synergy_type": "efficacy-boost", "synergy_description": "Lipolytic complex for body contouring and cellulite reduction", "combined_benefit": "Enhanced fat breakdown, improved drainage, reduced cellulite appearance", "efficacy_multiplier": "2.4x", "mechanism_of_action": "Phosphatidylcholine breaks down fat; caffeine mobilizes lipids; carnitine transports fat…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-caking agent
Anti-static agent
Antioxidant
Drier
Emulsifier
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
Humectant
Lubricating agent
Pharmaceutical excipient
Regulatory List Membership (6)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Consumer Product Chemical
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Phosphatidylcholine.
Regulatory Flags
emulsifier
liposomal-delivery
biocompatible
biodegradable
non-gmo-sunflower-preferred
cosmos-eligible
penetration-enhancer
delivery-system
eu_children_restricted
epa_safer_alternative
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
Known Synonyms
Lecithins
Soybean lecithin
Acti-flow 68-sb
EINECS 232-307-2
Emulthin M-35
Ovovitellin
Vitellin
L-α-Phosphatidylcholine
Chemical Function
Softener and conditioner
Humectant
Anti-static agent
Emulsifier
Regulatory Lists
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
IFRA Transparency
SCIL (9/2019)
consumer_product
drinking_water; Europe; manufacturing; plastic_additive
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
Europe; Personal care
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in food safety data.
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
Lecithin
E Number
E322
ADI
NOT LIMITED mg/kg bw
Food Category
preservative
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phosphatidylcholine allowed in the EU?
Phosphatidylcholine EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Phosphatidylcholine do in cosmetics?
Phosphatidylcholine functions as: Principal phospholipid emulsifier and bilayer-forming material for cosmetic delivery systems. Sourced from soybean, sunflower, or egg lecithin. Forms liposomal vesicles for delivery of hydrophilic actives (vitamin C, caffeine) and lipophilic actives (CoQ10, vitamins A/E). Commercial purity grades range from ≥45% PC (lecithin fractions) to ≥94% PC (high-purity PHOSPHOLIPON 90 G type). COSMOS-approved non-GMO sunflower variants available.. It is classified as a Emulsifier in our database. CAS number: 8002-43-5.
Is Phosphatidylcholine used outside cosmetics?
Phosphatidylcholine also appears in industrial chemical safety and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Phosphatidylcholine 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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