Is Usnic Acid safe in cosmetics?
Usnic Acid has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Usnic Acid
INCI: USNIC ACID
Usnic Acid (CAS 125-46-2 (racemic); (+)-Usnic acid: 7562-61-0) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Antimicrobial, skin conditioning, preservative-boosting. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 125-46-2 (racemic); (+)-Usnic acid: 7562-61-0 →
Function
Antimicrobial, skin conditioning, preservative-boosting
Editorial assessment
MODERATE
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted in topical cosmetics; FDA issued warning letters for oral supplements containing sodium usniate due to hepatotoxicity
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Usnic Acid.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Sensitization Profile
Contact sensitization data for Usnic Acid 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
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for Usnic Acid — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
preservative
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Usnic Acid allowed in the EU?
Usnic Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Usnic Acid do in cosmetics?
Usnic Acid functions as: Antimicrobial, skin conditioning, preservative-boosting. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 125-46-2 (racemic); (+)-Usnic acid: 7562-61-0.
Compliance Tools
Check Usnic Acid 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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