Is Zinc Gluconate safe in cosmetics?
Zinc Gluconate has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Zinc Gluconate
Also known as: Zinc, bis(D-gluconato-kappaO1,kappaO2)-, (T-4)-, Bis(D-gluconato-O1,O2) zinc
INCI: ZINC GLUCONATE
Zinc Gluconate (CAS 4468-02-4) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor; hair-follicle cycle regulator; anti-seborrheic;. NOAEL 50 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. 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 4468-02-4 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Zinc Gluconate is classified GHS Danger (H318, H400, H410) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
5-alpha-reductase inhibitor; hair-follicle cycle regulator; anti-seborrheic; antioxidant; scalp micronutrient
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
zinc bis((2R,3S,4R,5R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanoate)
InChIKey
WHMDKBIGKVEYHS-IYEMJOQQSA-L
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted cosmetic active. Zinc salts (gluconate, PCA, sulfate) used in scalp and hair formulations. No OTC drug monograph for hair growth 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 Zinc Gluconate.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Zinc Gluconate across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Zinc Gluconate, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
1-3%
Penetration Level
surface
Penetration Depth
stratum corneum
Molecular Weight
455.7 Da
Log P
-3.2
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
0.5-2%
Safety Margin Factor
low
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation
Source: Cosmetic Science
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10 - 100 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Additional Ingredient Properties
8 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
acne
{"cas_number": "4468-02-4", "anti_acne_mechanism": "antibacterial/anti_inflammatory/sebum_regulation", "comedogenicity_rating_0_to_5": "0", "acne_type_efficacy": "inflammatory", "p_acnes_mic_ug_per_ml": ">200", "sebum_reduction_pct_clinical": "15-20", "prescription_required_usa": "No", "otc_drug_monograph_category": "No", "max_otc_concentration_pct": "No limit", "japan_quasi_drug_anti_acne": "No",…
concentration
{"min_concentration_pct": "0.5", "max_concentration_pct": "1.0", "typical_concentration_pct": "0.8", "product_type": "Spot Treatment", "function_at_concentration": "Anti-acne", "source": "Clinical literature"}
cost_pricing
{"cost_tier": "budget", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_low": "15", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_high": "28", "natural_premium_markup_pct": "0", "organic_certified_premium_pct": "0", "supply_chain_volatility": "low", "primary_source_region": "Global", "bulk_discount_threshold_kg": "100", "seasonal_price_variation": "low", "commodity_or_specialty": "commodity", "substitute_ingredients": "Zinc PCA, Zinc Ox…
deodorant
{"cas_number": "4468-02-4", "ingredient_class": "antimicrobial_deodorant", "mechanism_of_action": "bacterial_growth_inhibition", "antiperspirant_efficacy_sweat_reduction_pct": "0", "deodorant_efficacy_hours": "12-24", "odor_reduction_pct": "40-60", "bacteriostatic": "yes", "bactericidal": "yes", "target_bacteria": "broad_spectrum", "microbiome_impact": "selective", "axillary_microbiome_effect": "v…
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "455.7", "log_p_value": "-3.2", "skin_penetration_level": "surface", "penetration_depth": "stratum corneum", "absorption_pct": "1-3", "systemic_absorption": "minimal", "penetration_enhancer": "no", "occlusion_effect": "no", "vehicle_dependent": "yes", "skin_barrier_effect": "neutral", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "0.5-2", "safety_margin_factor": "low", "source": "Cosmetic…
hair_care
{"hair_function": "scalp-care", "hair_type_suitability": "all", "curl_pattern_suitability": "all", "porosity_suitability": "all", "protein_sensitivity": "neutral", "moisture_protein_balance": "yes", "cg_method_approved": "not-a-silicone", "silicone_type": "not-a-sulfate", "sulfate_type": "no", "drying_alcohol": "no", "fatty_alcohol": "no", "heat_protectant": "yes", "color_safe": "neutral", "kerati…
mineral_clay
{"cas_number": "4468-02-4", "ingredient_class": "zinc_compound", "chemical_formula": "Zn(C6H11O7)2", "mineral_origin": "synthetic", "particle_size_range_um": "20-300", "surface_area_m2_per_g": "0.5-5", "crystal_structure": "amorphous", "color_appearance": "white", "opacity": "opaque", "refractive_index": "1.54", "oil_absorption_g_per_100g": "90-220", "water_absorption_capacity": "low", "surface_ch…
skin_suitability
{"oily_skin": "acceptable", "dry_skin": "acceptable", "sensitive_skin": "acceptable", "combination_skin": "acceptable", "normal_skin": "acceptable", "acne_prone": "acceptable", "rosacea": "acceptable", "eczema": "acceptable", "hyperpigmentation": "acceptable", "aging_mature": "acceptable", "dehydrated": "acceptable", "skin_benefit_primary": "antimicrobial", "skin_benefit_secondary": "wound-healing…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Biocide
Deodorizer
Flavouring and nutrient
Softener and conditioner
Regulatory List Membership (1)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Zinc Gluconate.
Regulatory Flags
hair-follicle-support
5ar-inhibitor
deficiency-associated-hair-loss
scalp-micronutrient
cosmetic-classified
fda_food_additive
Known Synonyms
Zinc, bis(D-gluconato-kappaO1,kappaO2)-, (T-4)-
Bis(D-gluconato-O1,O2) zinc
Chemical Function
Deodorizer
Softener and conditioner
Biocide
Flavouring and nutrient
Regulatory Lists
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; animal_products; Europe; pharmaceutical; residue
Europe; supplements
Europe; food_additive; supplements
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
Canada; pharmaceutical
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
ZINC GLUCONATE
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL3833377
Max Phase
3
Adverse Event Associations
766
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zinc Gluconate allowed in the EU?
Zinc Gluconate EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Zinc Gluconate do in cosmetics?
Zinc Gluconate functions as: 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor; hair-follicle cycle regulator; anti-seborrheic; antioxidant; scalp micronutrient. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 4468-02-4.
Is Zinc Gluconate used outside cosmetics?
Zinc Gluconate 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 Zinc Gluconate have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Zinc Gluconate is classified GHS Danger (H318, H400, H410) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Zinc Gluconate 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
ZINC
Good
Browse nearby
Antioxidant
ZINC ACETATE
Moderate
Browse nearby
Antimicrobial
ZINC ACETYLMETHIONATE
Good
Browse nearby
Skin Conditioning
Is Zinc Gluconate 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 Zinc Gluconate in your formulation.