Moderate Cosmetic Ingredient NOAEL Data GHS Classified Sensitization Data

Resorcinol

INCI: RESORCINOL

CAS Number
108-46-3
Function
Oxidative hair dye intermediate, Antiseptic, Hair Conditioning
Safety Rating
MODERATE

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status prohibited
EU Max Conc. 1.25%
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Permitted in OTC drug products (acne, dandruff); permitted in hair dyes; FDA monitors under MoCRA

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

Safety Data

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

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Toxicological Studies

10 study endpoints found for Resorcinol. 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 400 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Chronic COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 260.7 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Short Term Toxicity COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 500 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Developmental COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 400 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Chronic COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 55 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Short Term Toxicity COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 150 mg/kg bw/day oral mouse Short Term Toxicity COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 520 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Subchronic COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 420 mg/kg bw/day oral mouse Subchronic COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 100 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Carcinogenicity COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 112 mg/kg bw/day oral mouse Carcinogenicity COSMOS_DB

GHS Hazard Classification

Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.

Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the blood. This may result in the formation of methaemoglobin. The effects may be delayed. Medical observation is indicated.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization in rare cases.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol, through the skin and by ingestion.

SCCS NOAEL Values

NOAEL/LOAEL values cited in official SCCS opinions for Resorcinol.

NOAEL LOAEL Route Species Study DA% (SCCS) Opinion
80 mg/kg/day 250 mg/kg/day Oral Rat (Sprague-Dawley) Subchronic (90-day) (13 weeks (daily gavage)) 100 SCCS/1619/20 (2021)
27.5 mg/kg/day 55 mg/kg/day Oral Rat (F344/N) Short-term repeated dose (17-day) (17 days, 5 d/week gavage) 100 SCCS/1619/20 (2021)
101 mg/kg/day 304 mg/kg/day Oral Rat (Crl:CD(SD)) Reproductive toxicity (2-generation) (Drinking water; F0 ~133 days + F1/F2 to PND21) 100 SCCS/1619/20 (2021)

Sensitization Profile

Contact sensitization data for Resorcinol based on clinical patch test studies and IFRA standards.

Sensitization Rate
low
Allergen Class
dye
EU Allergen Listed
no
Patch Test Positive Rate
0.5%
Cross-reactivity Group
para-amino-group
Reaction Type
contact-dermatitis

Source: IVDK; NACDG; ESSCA

Expert Verdict

Potential endocrine disruptor (EU Group A priority list) ; strong skin sensitizer (EC3 = 1.4%) ; thyroid disruption concerns; mandatory label warnings: "Contains resorcinol"; "Do not use to dye eyelashes" ; occupational exposure limit: 10 ppm / 45 mg/m³ (EU, skin notation)

⚠️
Concern Level: Moderate

Regulatory Flags

potential-allergen endocrine_disruptor ifra_fragrance fda_food_additive eu_cosing_listed jecfa_safe

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Resorcinol safe in cosmetics?

Potential endocrine disruptor (EU Group A priority list) ; strong skin sensitizer (EC3 = 1.4%) ; thyroid disruption concerns; mandatory label warnings: "Contains resorcinol"; "Do not use to dye eyelashes" ; occupational exposure limit: 10 ppm / 45 mg/m³ (EU, skin notation) The EU classifies Resorcinol as "prohibited". Safety rating: MODERATE. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.

Is Resorcinol allowed in the EU?

Resorcinol EU regulatory status: prohibited. Maximum allowed concentration: 1.25%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Resorcinol do in cosmetics?

Resorcinol functions as: Oxidative hair dye intermediate, Antiseptic, Hair Conditioning. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 108-46-3.

What is the Margin of Safety for Resorcinol?

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.

What is the NOAEL for Resorcinol?

The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Resorcinol is 400 mg/kg bw/day based on a Chronic study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.

Compliance Tools

Check Resorcinol compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

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Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
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Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
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Heavy Metal Limits
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