Is Tin (Sn) safe in cosmetics?
Tin (Sn) has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: prohibited. US status: restricted. 9 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Tin (Sn)
Also known as: CI Pigment metal 5, EINECS 231-141-8, UNII-387GMG9FH5, Stannum metallicum
INCI: TIN
Tin (Sn) (CAS 7440-31-5) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Bulking agent, opacifying agent (limited cosmetic use). NOAEL 1000 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: prohibited. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and food safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 7440-31-5 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Tin (Sn) is prohibited in EU cosmetics but has active industrial GHS classifications (H319, H335, H372).
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Bulking agent, opacifying agent (limited cosmetic use)
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
tin
InChIKey
ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
prohibited
US US Status
restricted
US Notes
Not specifically restricted for cosmetics; no color additive listing; permitted under general provisions
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Tin (Sn).
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
9 study endpoints found for Tin (Sn). 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 | =30 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad65 |
| NOAEL | =30 mg/kg bw | - | Rat | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad65 |
| NOAEL | =30 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad65 |
| NOAEL | =30 mg/kg bw | - | Rat | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad65 |
| NOAEL | =130 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad65 |
| NOAEL | =130 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad65 |
| NOAEL | =180 mg/kg bw/day | - | Mouse | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad65 |
| NOAEL | =180 mg/kg bw/day | - | Mouse | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad65 |
| NOAEL | =1000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | 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
May cause mechanical irritation to the respiratory tract.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance may have effects on the lungs. This may result in a benign pneumoconiosis (stannosis).
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Tin (Sn) across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
10 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LC50 | >4750 mg/m3 | Rat | inhalation | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | >2000 mg/kg | Rat | dermal | acute | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | >2000 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | >2000 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =1000 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =1000 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| NOAEL | >1000 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term | ECHA IUCLID |
| NOAEL | >1000 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| NOEL | >1000 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| NOEL | >1000 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10,000 - 100,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (2)
ICSC Safety Card
1535
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
Tin dust is ... irritant to eyes & airways ... .
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Regulatory (1)
JECFA Evaluation
TIN | 2006 | At its present meeting, the Committee reconsidered studies of the acute toxic effects seen in humans after consumption of foods containing high concentrations of inorganic compounds of tin, and also considered a new study. The Committee concluded that the data available indicated that it is inappropriate to establish an ARfD for inorganic tin, since the occurence of GI-irritation afte
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Antioxidant
Corrosion inhibitor
Degradant/impurity
Plating agent
Stabilizing agent
Surface modifier
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Tin (Sn).
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Tin (Sn) by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
9
Lowest NOAEL
30
Highest NOAEL
1000
Units vary across source rows: mg/kg bw/day, mg/kg bw
INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad65
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
Known Synonyms
CI Pigment metal 5
EINECS 231-141-8
UNII-387GMG9FH5
Stannum metallicum
Chemical Function
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Stabilizing agent
Degradant/impurity
Surface modifier
Regulatory Lists
detected; Europe; Personal care - make-up and related - eye liner
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - body paint; detected; Europe
detected; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts paint; detected; Europe
detected; drinking_water; MN Chemical Screening
detected; drinking_water; MN Chemical Screening
detected; drinking_water; MN Chemical Screening
detected; drinking_water; MN Chemical Screening
Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods
Europe; nondetect; Other direct contact consumer goods
detected; Europe; Toys and children's products
detected; Europe; Toys and children's products
detected; Europe; Toys and children's products
detected; Europe; Toys and children's products
detected; Europe; Toys and children's products
detected; Europe; Toys and children's products
detected; Europe; Furniture and Furnishings
detected; Europe; Home maintenance - caulk/sealant
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
Tin — inorganic
ADI
14 mg/kg bw
Food Category
contaminants
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tin (Sn) allowed in the EU?
Tin (Sn) EU regulatory status: prohibited. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Tin (Sn) do in cosmetics?
Tin (Sn) functions as: Bulking agent, opacifying agent (limited cosmetic use). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 7440-31-5.
What is the NOAEL for Tin (Sn)?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Tin (Sn) is =30 mg/kg bw/day based on a Toxicology study study via oral route in Rat. A total of 9 study endpoints are available. Source: INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad65.
Is Tin (Sn) used outside cosmetics?
Tin (Sn) also appears in industrial chemical safety and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Tin (Sn) have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Tin (Sn) is prohibited in EU cosmetics but has active industrial GHS classifications (H319, H335, H372).
Compliance Tools
Check Tin (Sn) 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
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