Ingredient Dictionary

M-CRESOL

M-cresol is a cresol with the methyl substituent at position 3.

Definition

M-cresol is a cresol with the methyl substituent at position 3. It is a minor urinary metabolite of toluene. It has a role as a human xenobiotic metabolite.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII GGO4Y809LO · registered name Metacresol · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Gives the product a scentPERFUMINGInhibits microbial growthANTIMICROBIAL

Safety & regulatory references

Restricted: Canada

Source: Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

Korea’s toxic-substance GHS classification: Danger · H311 (category 3) · H301 (category 3) · H314 (category 1)

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist · restricted with conditions · a) Not permitted in cosmetics intended to be used on or around mucosal membranes such as eyes, mouth or nose

Source: Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium p-Chloro-m-Cresol, p-Chloro-m-Cresol, Chlorothymol, Mixed Cresols, m-Cresol, o-Cresol, p-Cresol, Isopropyl Cresols, Thymol, o-Cymen-5-ol and Carvacrol

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Names & identifiers

M-CRESOLINCIm-크레졸Korean label name (MFDS standard)Phenol, 3-methyl-Synonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 108-39-4
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 203-577-9
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID6024200
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID804200

IUPAC: 3-Methylphenol
Molecular formula: C7H8O
Molecular weight: 108.14 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: M-cresol is a colorless liquid with a sweet tarry odor. Sinks and mixes slowly with water. (USCG, 1999) · Liquid
Odour: Phenolic odor · Odor of coal tar
Boiling point: 397 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992) · 202.2 °C
Melting point: 52.7 °F (NTP, 1992) · 11.8 °C
Solubility: 10 to 50 mg/mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992) · 22700 mg/L (at 25 °C)
Density: 1.0336 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water, will sink · 1.034 at 20 °C/4 °C
Melting/freezing point: 11.5 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 202 ℃
Flash point: 81 ℃
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: %
Vapour pressure: 0.14 ㎜Hg (25℃)
Water solubility: 2.4 g/100㎖ (20℃)
Vapour density: 3.72
Relative density: 1.03
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 1.96
Auto-ignition temperature: 575 ℃
Viscosity: 4170000 (50℃)
Molecular weight: 108.13

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 21 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.

Solvent5
Fragrance3
Flavouring and nutrient2
Cleaning agent2
Monomers1
Dye1
No specific technical function1
Catalyst1

5 other uses

Intermediate1
Biocide1
Corrosion inhibitor1
Surfactant (surface active agent)1
Processing aids not otherwise specified1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

6 skin studies and 2 eye studies are on record.

Classed as highly irritating1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 8 studies

Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1
Skin Irritation · Screening
Category 8.2C (Category 1C)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Skin corrosion - category 1A
Skin Irritation · Screening
Skin Corr. 1B
Skin Irritation · Authoritative
Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Category 1
Skin Irritation · Screening
Category 8.3A (Category 1)
Eye Irritation · Read Across
Category 1
Eye Irritation · Screening