Sesquiterpene Lactones

INCI: SESQUITERPENE LACTONES

CAS Number
No single CAS — this is a structural class (e.g., alantolactone CAS 546-43-0; parthenolide CAS 20554-84-1)
Function
Allergen/impurity constituent class; not assigned standard cosmetic function
Safety Rating
POOR

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Not specifically regulated as a class; individual compounds fall under FDA general cosmetic safety requirements

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

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
high
Sensitization
high

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Major allergen: causes type IV delayed hypersensitivity reactions and occupational contact dermatitis; present in Arnica, Chamomile, Feverfew, and Asteraceae extracts; formulators should verify sesquiterpene lactone content and minimize levels.

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Concern Level: High

Regulatory Flags

potential-allergen natural-origin

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sesquiterpene Lactones safe in cosmetics?

Major allergen: causes type IV delayed hypersensitivity reactions and occupational contact dermatitis; present in Arnica, Chamomile, Feverfew, and Asteraceae extracts; formulators should verify sesquiterpene lactone content and minimize levels. The EU classifies Sesquiterpene Lactones as "permitted". Safety rating: POOR.

Is Sesquiterpene Lactones allowed in the EU?

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

What does Sesquiterpene Lactones do in cosmetics?

Sesquiterpene Lactones functions as: Allergen/impurity constituent class; not assigned standard cosmetic function. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: No single CAS — this is a structural class (e.g., alantolactone CAS 546-43-0; parthenolide CAS 20554-84-1).

What is the Margin of Safety for Sesquiterpene Lactones?

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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