Polylysine

INCI: POLYLYSINE

CAS Number
25104-18-1 (ε-poly-L-lysine)
Function
Hair conditioning agent with antimicrobial properties
Safety Rating
GOOD

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Permitted for cosmetic use; ε-polylysine also GRAS for food preservation in some jurisdictions

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

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
negligible
Sensitization
moderate

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Hair conditioning agent with antimicrobial properties; charge compatibility issues may occur with anionic surfactants causing instability. Verify animal-derived sourcing for vegan and ethical claims.

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Concern Level: Moderate

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Polylysine safe in cosmetics?

Hair conditioning agent with antimicrobial properties; charge compatibility issues may occur with anionic surfactants causing instability. Verify animal-derived sourcing for vegan and ethical claims. The EU classifies Polylysine as "permitted". Safety rating: GOOD.

Is Polylysine allowed in the EU?

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

What does Polylysine do in cosmetics?

Polylysine functions as: Hair conditioning agent with antimicrobial properties. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 25104-18-1 (ε-poly-L-lysine).

What is the Margin of Safety for Polylysine?

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.

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