Ergothioneine is a L-histidine derivative that is Nalpha,Nalpha,Nalpha-trimethyl-L-histidine in which the hydrogen at position 2 on the imdazole ring is replaced by a mercapto group.
How much products actually contain
No product states its amount yet.
Of the products containing it, 7 list it before the 1% line and 25 after it (usually 1% or less).
Products using this ingredient
12 of 32 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 32
DermalogicaDermalogica biolumin-c night restore serum
CliniqueClinique For Men Watery Moisture Lotion 200ml
Herbivore BotanicalsHerbivore Botanicals NOVA Turmeric + Niacinamide Bi-Phase Glow Facial Oil
Elizabeth ArdenElizabeth Arden PREVAGE® Antioxidant Infusion Essence
Elizabeth ArdenElizabeth Arden PREVAGE® + Intensive Repair Daily Serum
CIRACLEVitamin Source C25 Serum
CIRACLEVitamin Source C20 Serum
GIKBiocell Antiox Lifting Mask
Elizabeth ArdenElizabeth Arden PREVAGE® Anti-Aging Eye Serum 2.0
Elizabeth ArdenElizabeth Arden PREVAGE® Anti-Aging Moisture Lotion Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30
DermalogicaDermalogica biolumin-c vitamin c gel moisturizer
M·A·CM·A·C Prep + Prime Face Protect Lotion SPF 50 - 1.0 fl oz
Definition
Ergothioneine is a L-histidine derivative that is Nalpha,Nalpha,Nalpha-trimethyl-L-histidine in which the hydrogen at position 2 on the imdazole ring is replaced by a mercapto group. A naturally occurring metabolite of histidine synthesized by bacteria and fungi with antioxidant properties. It is found ubiquitously in plants and animals and is present in many human foodstuffs. It has a role as an antioxidant, a chelator, a xenobiotic metabolite, a plant metabolite and a fungal metabolite. It is an amino-acid betaine, a sulfur-containing amino acid and a L-histidine derivative. It is a conjugate base of an ergothioneine(1+). It is a tautomer of an ergothioneine thione form.
Source: PubChem
US FDA substance register · UNII BDZ3DQM98W · registered name ERGOTHIONEINE · single chemical substance
Ergothioneine is the heterocyclic compound that conforms to the formula
Cosmetic roles
More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature
Official labels & definitions
JCIA labelling name エルゴチオネイン: 本品は、次の化学式で表される複素環式化合物である。
Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)
Names & identifiers
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 497-30-3
- EC No.EU chemical inventory number
- 207-843-5
- DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID
- DTXSID901020082
- DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID
- DTXCID901477922
- IUPAC
- (2S)-3-(2-Sulfanylidene-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-2-(trimethylazaniumyl)propanoate
- Molecular formula
- C9H15N3O2S
- Molecular weight
- 229.3 g/mol
Measured properties
- Appearance
- Solid
Values measured on the substance itself, not a specification for a commercial raw material.
Source: PubChem
What products actually use it for
What the 2 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.
- Antioxidant2
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Related literature
- Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for co-production of ergothioneine, salidroside and gadusol · 2026
- Formulation, physicochemical evaluation, and in vitro release profile analysis of ergothioneine emulgels: Investigating the influence of diverse oil phases and gelling agents · 2026
- Selenoneine and ergothioneine in beluga skin and tissues as key antioxidants in the Inuit diet · 2025
- Ergothioneine for Cognitive Health, Longevity and Healthy Aging: Where Are We Now? · 2025
- Safe and Effective Antioxidant: The Biological Mechanism and Potential Pathways of Ergothioneine in the Skin · 2023
Linked databases 16
- ChEBI
- ChEMBL
- China inventory of existing ingredients (IECIC)
- EU CosIng ingredient list 2
- JCIA labelling names (Japan)
- Korea Cosmetic Association ingredient dictionary
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic ingredient register 2
- PubChem 2
- Tlooto literature search 2 3 4 5
- UniChem cross-reference IDs
- US EPA CompTox dashboard 2
- US EPA DSSTox chemical database
- US FDA substance registration (GSRS)
- US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)
- Wikidata
- Wikipedia · English · Japanese