Is Sodium Selenite safe in cosmetics?
Sodium Selenite has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: permitted. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Sodium Selenite
Also known as: EINECS 233-267-9, Selenite sodium, UNII-HIW548RQ3W
INCI: SODIUM SELENITE
Sodium Selenite (CAS 10102-18-8) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Skin conditioning, Antioxidant. Reported NOAEL =0.12 mg/kg bw/day in Rat (ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted, max 1%. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 10102-18-8 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Sodium Selenite is classified GHS Danger (H300, H330, H315, H317, H319, H331, H400, H410) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max 1%.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status/eu_max; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Skin conditioning, Antioxidant
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
disodium;selenite
InChIKey
BVTBRVFYZUCAKH-UHFFFAOYSA-L
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
EU Max Conc.
1%
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Selenium sulfide is an OTC active; sodium selenite in cosmetics requires careful justification; not broadly GRAS for topical use
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Sodium Selenite.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for Sodium Selenite. 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 | =0.12 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | subchronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =0.14 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | subchronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =0.2 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | subchronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =0.35 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | reproduction developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =0.36 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | short-term | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =0.4 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | subchronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =0.68 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =0.756 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | chronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =0.9 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | subchronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =2 mg/kg bw/day | injection | Rat | developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
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 liver, heart, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Medical observation is indicated.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. The substance may have effects on the central nervous system, bone and blood. See Notes.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
Acute ToxicityEnvironmental Hazard
Hazard Class and Category
Acute Tox. 3 *; Acute Tox. 2 *; Skin Sens. 1; Aquatic Chronic 2
Hazard Statements
- H331 Toxic if inhaled
- H300 Fatal if swallowed
- H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction
- H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100 - 1,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE; GROUP
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (2)
Carcinogen Classification
3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. (L135)
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
ICSC Safety Card
0698
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
No specific technical function
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Sodium Selenite.
Regulatory Flags
endocrine_disruptor
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Sodium Selenite by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
49
Lowest NOAEL
0.025 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
7 mg/kg bw/day
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
ECHA_REACH_reach_study_results_dossiers_23-05-2023.zip
Known Synonyms
EINECS 233-267-9
Selenite sodium
UNII-HIW548RQ3W
Chemical Function
No specific technical function
Regulatory Lists
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
active_ingredient; animal_products; Europe; pharmaceutical; residue
Europe; supplements
Europe; food_additive; supplements
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
SODIUM SELENITE
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL112302
Max Phase
3
Adverse Event Associations
145
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sodium Selenite allowed in the EU?
Sodium Selenite EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 1%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Sodium Selenite do in cosmetics?
Sodium Selenite functions as: Skin conditioning, Antioxidant. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 10102-18-8.
What is the NOAEL for Sodium Selenite?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Sodium Selenite is =0.12 mg/kg bw/day based on a subchronic study via oral route in Rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID.
Is Sodium Selenite used outside cosmetics?
Sodium Selenite also appears in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Sodium Selenite have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Sodium Selenite is classified GHS Danger (H300, H330, H315, H317, H319, H331, H400, H410) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max 1%.
Compliance Tools
Check Sodium Selenite compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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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
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Fragrance ingredient
DISODIUM SELENITE
Moderate
Chemical family
Not Reported
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Good
Chemical family
Astringent, antiperspirant
SODIUM (ASTROCARYUM VULGARE/EUTERPE OLERACEAE/PALM) FRUIT/(ASTROCARYUM VULGARE/PALM) KERNEL/(ASTROCARYUM MURUMURU/BABASSU/BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA/CARAPA GUIANENSIS/COCOA/FEVILLEA TRILOBATA/PASSIFLORA EDULIS/THEOBROMA GRANDIFLORUM) SEEDATE
Good
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