Good Cosmetic Ingredient

Witch Hazel Extract

INCI: HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA EXTRACT

CAS Number
84696-19-5
Function
Astringent, skin protectant, antioxidant; hamamelitannin and polyphenols (gallic acid, catechins) precipitate surface proteins
Safety Rating
GOOD

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes FDA-recognized OTC active ingredient (GRASE) as astringent under Skin Protectant Final Monograph (21 CFR Part 347). Also permitted at 10-50% in anorectal OTC products (21 CFR 346.18). CIR deferred to FDA. USP-grade contains 14% ethanol.

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

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
negligible
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

EU: Permitted, not listed in any restrictive Annex under EC 1223/2009; COSING-listed. US: FDA OTC GRASE active ingredient as astringent under 21 CFR Part 347; CIR deferred to FDA. Dermal absorption considered negligible due to tannin-mediated astringency.

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Concern Level: Low

Regulatory Flags

otc-active-ingredient fda-monograph-21-cfr-347 cir-deferred-to-fda tannin-bearing trace-safrole alcohol-distillate-form astringent eu_children_restricted

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Witch Hazel Extract safe in cosmetics?

EU: Permitted, not listed in any restrictive Annex under EC 1223/2009; COSING-listed. US: FDA OTC GRASE active ingredient as astringent under 21 CFR Part 347; CIR deferred to FDA. Dermal absorption considered negligible due to tannin-mediated astringency. The EU classifies Witch Hazel Extract as "permitted". Safety rating: GOOD.

Is Witch Hazel Extract allowed in the EU?

Witch Hazel Extract EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Witch Hazel Extract do in cosmetics?

Witch Hazel Extract functions as: Astringent, skin protectant, antioxidant; hamamelitannin and polyphenols (gallic acid, catechins) precipitate surface proteins. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 84696-19-5.

What is the Margin of Safety for Witch Hazel Extract?

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.

Compliance Tools

Check Witch Hazel Extract compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

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Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
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Substance Compliance
Check compliance across 55 jurisdictions
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
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Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions

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