Is Shellac safe in cosmetics?
Shellac has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Shellac
INCI: SHELLAC
Shellac (CAS 9000-59-3) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as Film-forming agent; binding agent; coating agent. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in food safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 9000-59-3 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Film-forming agent; binding agent; coating agent
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
FDA GRAS status under 21 CFR 184.1715 as a direct food additive; also listed as indirect food additive under 21 CFR 175.105, 175.300, and 176.170. Permitted in cosmetics with no FDA concentration restrictions. CIR Expert Panel reviewed and reaffirmed safety conclusion (safe up to 6% in cosmetic formulations) in 2008.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Shellac.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Sensitization Profile
Contact sensitization data for Shellac based on clinical patch test studies and IFRA standards.
Sensitization Rate
low
Allergen Class
botanical
EU Allergen Listed
no
Patch Test Positive Rate
0.3%
Cross-reactivity Group
none
Reaction Type
contact-dermatitis
Source: IVDK; ESSCA; NACDG
Additional Ingredient Properties
4 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
allergen_detail
{"eu_allergen_listed": "no", "allergen_class": "botanical", "patch_test_frequency_pct": "0.3", "sensitization_rate": "low", "common_reaction_type": "contact-dermatitis", "ifra_restricted": "no", "source": "IVDK; ESSCA; NACDG"}
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "yes", "biodegradation_days": "60-120", "bioaccumulative": "no", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "low", "coral_reef_safe": "yes", "marine_toxicity": "low aquatic toxicity", "freshwater_toxicity": "minimal impact", "endocrine_disruptor": "no", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "no", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "no", "hawaii_banned": "no", "eu_restricted_environmental": "no", "p…
polymer
{"cas_number": "9000-59-3", "ingredient_class": "film_former/nail_film_former/hair_fixative", "polymer_type": "natural_polysaccharide", "chemical_backbone": "ester", "ionic_character": "nonionic", "pH_viscosity_sensitivity": "moderate", "salt_tolerance": "moderate", "electrolyte_effect_on_viscosity": "moderate", "temperature_viscosity_sensitivity": "moderate", "film_flexibility": "semi_flexible", …
sensory
{"silky": "waxy", "smooth, glides easily": "smooth, glossy", "dry-touch, non-greasy": "protected, shiny", "instant": "moderate", "low": "medium", "w/o": "w/o", "very-high": "moderate", "no": "no", "yes": "yes", "light-diffusing": "high-shine", "1.40": "1.16", "transparent": "translucent", "colorless": "amber", "excellent": "fair", "light": "medium", "synthetic": "botanical"}
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-caking agent
Binder
Drier
Film former
Hair fixative
Humectant
Pigment
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Softener and conditioner
Surface modifier
Regulatory List Membership (2)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Shellac.
Regulatory Flags
eu-unrestricted
cir-approved
no-sccs-opinion
gras-fda
sensitizer
fda_food_additive
Chemical Function
Softener and conditioner
Film former
Viscosity modifier
Hair fixative
Binder
Regulatory Lists
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
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
Shellac
E Number
E904
ADI
0.4 mg/kg bw
Food Category
preservative
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shellac allowed in the EU?
Shellac EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Shellac do in cosmetics?
Shellac functions as: Film-forming agent; binding agent; coating agent. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9000-59-3.
Is Shellac used outside cosmetics?
Shellac also appears in food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Shellac 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
Related Ingredients
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Excellent
Same category
Anti-edema peptide for periorbital ar...
Activated Charcoal
Excellent
Same category
Adsorbent; skin cleanser; pore-cleans...
Adenosine
Excellent
Same category
Skin-conditioning agent, anti-aging, ...
Allantoin
Excellent
Same category
Skin conditioner, keratolytic, anti-i...
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Excellent
Same category
prebiotic, skin-conditioning
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Excellent
Same category
Skin Brightening, Tyrosinase Inhibito...
(AGARICUS BLAZEI FERMENT + GANODERMA LUCIDUM FERMENT + GANODERMA MULTIPILEUM FERMENT) EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Anti-sebum, Antioxidant, Skin Protecting
(ANGELICA ACUTILOBA/PAEONIA LACTIFLORA/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA) ROOT/CNIDIUM OFFICINALE RHIZOME EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning ...
(ANGELICA ACUTILOBA/PAEONIA LACTIFLORA/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA/SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS) ROOT/(CNIDIUM OFFICINALE/COPTIS CHINENSIS) RHIZOME/GARDENIA JASMINOIDES FRUIT/PHELLODENDRON CHINENSE BARK EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
(ANGELICA GIGAS/GLYCYRRHIZA URALENSIS/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA ROOT)/ANGELICA GIGAS STEM/CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS FLOWER/(CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS/PRUNUS PERSICA SEED)PORIA COCOS WATER
Good
Similar safety
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Pr...
(ANGELICA KEISKEI/CHRYSANTHEMUM ZAWADSKII) LEAF/STEM/CINNAMOMUM CASSIA BARK/TRICHOSANTES KIRILOWII FRUIT/ULMUS DAVIDIANA BARK/ROOT/(PAEONIA JAPONICA/BUPLEURUM FALCATUM/POLYGALA TENUIFOLIA ROOT)/VISCUS ALBUM STEM EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Anti-seborrheic, Anti-sebum, Antioxid...
(APPLE/CITRUS JUNOS/LENTIL/PEAR/PUMPKIN/STRAWBERRY/TOMATO FRUIT)/CORN KERNEL/(ARCTIUM LAPPA/BRASSICA OLERACEA ACEPHALA/CABBAGE/CAMELLIA SINENSIS/MORINGA OLEIFERA/RADISH/SPINACH LEAF)/(SORGHUM BICOLOR LEAF/STEM)/OAT MEAL/POTATO PULP/(CARROT/NELUMBO NUCIFERA/RADISH/WILD YAM ROOT)/(AMARANTHUS HYPOCHONDRIACUS/CASHEW/CICER ARIETINUM/COIX LACRYMA-JOBI MA-YUEN /MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA/PHASEOLUS ANGULARIS/PISTACIA VERA/RHYNCHOSIA NULUBILIS/RICE/SESAME/SETARIA ITALICA/SOYBEAN/SWEET ALMOND/WHEAT SEED)/HORDEUM VULGARE SPROUT/CYPERUS ESCULENTUS TUBER/ARTEMISIA PRINCEPS/BROCCOLI/CHENOPODIUM QUINOA/ENTEROMORPHA COMPRESSA/HORDEUM VULGARE/IPOMOEA BATATAS/LAMINARIA JAPONICA/LENTINUS EDODES/PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS/PORPHYRA TENERA/UNDARIA PINNATIFIDA EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Antioxidant
Acacia Senegal Gum
Good
Chemical family
Adhesion/cohesion promoter; Deodorize...
Acacia Senegal Gum Extract
Good
Chemical family
Adhesive, Binder, Emulsion Stabilizer...
Acacia Seyal Gum Extract
Moderate
Chemical family
Film forming, viscosity controlling, ...
Is Shellac in Your Products?
Scan any product label with Piro — our free ingredient scanner. Point your camera at the ingredients list and get instant safety scores for every ingredient.
Try Piro Free →Analyze Your Full Ingredient List
Paste any INCI list into the Decoder for instant safety analysis, or calculate the Margin of Safety for Shellac in your formulation.