Ingredient Dictionary

METHOXYETHANOL

Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether can cause developmental toxicity and male reproductive toxicity according to an independent committee of scientific and health experts.

Definition

Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether can cause developmental toxicity and male reproductive toxicity according to an independent committee of scientific and health experts.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII EK1L6XWI56 · registered name Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Methoxyethanol is the aliphatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula

Cosmetic roles

Adjusts thicknessVISCOSITY CONTROLLINGBase that dissolves other ingredientsSOLVENT

Safety & regulatory references

Banned: Argentina · ASEAN · Brazil · Canada · China · European Union · International fragrance standard (IFRA) · South Korea · Taiwan

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive · Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist · IFRA fragrance standards · MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information

Korea’s toxic-substance GHS classification: Danger · H360 (category 1B) · H332 (category 4) · H312 (category 4) · +2 more

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist · prohibited in cosmetics

Source: Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

Restriction II/665 CMR1b (Reprotoxic 1B)

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

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

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name メトキシエタノール: 本品は、次の化学式で表されるエーテルアルコールである。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

METHOXYETHANOLINCI메톡시에탄올Korean label name (MFDS standard)Ethanol, 2-methoxy-SynonymメトキシエタノールJapanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 109-86-4
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 203-713-7
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID5024182
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID804182

IUPAC: 2-Methoxyethan-1-ol
Molecular formula: C3H8O2
Molecular weight: 76.095 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether appears as a clear colorless liquid. Flash point of 110 °F. Less dense than water. Vapors are heavier than air. · Wet Solid, Liquid
Odour: Mild agreeable odor · Ether-like odor
Boiling point: 257 °F at 768 mmHg (NTP, 1992) · 124.1 °C
Melting point: -121.2 °F (NTP, 1992) · -85.1 °C
Solubility: greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 70 °F (NTP, 1992) · 1000000 mg/L (at 25 °C)
Density: 0.966 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water, will float · 0.9647 g/cu cm at 20 °C
Stability: Heat /contributes to instability/ · Chemical stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Dissociation constant: 14.8 (at 25 °C)
Colour: colourless
Melting/freezing point: -85.1 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 124.1 ℃
Flash point: 42 ℃
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 24.5 / 2.3 %
Vapour pressure: 9.5 ㎜Hg(25℃)
Water solubility: 965 g/ℓ(20℃)
Vapour density: 2.62 ()
Relative density: 0.97 (20°C)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): -0.77 ( = log Kow)
Auto-ignition temperature: 285 ℃
Viscosity: 1.72 cP(20℃)
Molecular weight: 76.0942

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.

Solvent11
Viscosity modifier2
Flow promoter2
Fuel2
Monomers1
Intermediate1
Chemical reaction regulator1
Drier1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

5 skin studies and 3 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low4

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

Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · EU Method B.4 (Acute Toxicity: Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · equivalent or similar to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation)
Not classified
Skin Irritation · Screening
Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Category 6.3B (Category 3)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Moderate or Mild Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Not classified
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across