Imidazole

Imidazole in plain language

What it is

Also known as 1H-Imidazole · 1,3-Diaza-2,4-cyclopentadiene · 1,3-Diazole · 1H-IMIDAZOL · 1H-Imadazole · 3-Azapyrrole

Show all 21 names

Formamidine, N,N'-vinylene- · Glioksal · Glyoxalin · Glyoxaline · Iminazole · Imutex · Methanimidamide, N,N'-1,2-ethenediyl- · Miazole · N,N'-1,2-ethenediylmethanimidamide · N,N'-vinyleneformamidine · Pyrro(b)monazole · imidazol · imidazole (10-30%) · imidazole. ld50:(oral mus) 80 mg/kg · imidazole.ld50 or mouse 880 mg/kg.ld50 oral mam 1000 mg/kg.

What it does

Used in cosmetics as a pH buffer.

• Buffering
• pH adjuster

Is it a concern?

Critical concern: classified for carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive toxicity (CMR). It is banned in EU cosmetics.

Why it's flagged

• Cmr

Imidazole is prohibited in cosmetic products under Annex II of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.

RestrictedEU EC — banned

The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.

• EU Annex II — prohibited
• EU prohibited in cosmetics

• EU·EC

  Annex II of EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009: substances prohibited in cosmetic products. CMR: Reprotoxic Cat. 1B()

  banned
  View source →

• EU·CosIng·Active2 entries

  • Imidazole is the organic compound that conforms to the formula: Restriction: II/1589Source →
  • Cosmetics Regulation annex II / ref 1589.Source →
• US·EPA·commercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 56 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies, Specialty occupational products, Batteries. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including pH regulating agent, Catalyst, Hardener.

  • EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 56 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies, Specialty occupational products, Batteries. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including pH regulating agent, Catalyst, Hardener.Source →
• US·FDA·listed in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.

  • openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →

Expert safety opinions

No expert opinion on file for Imidazole. These are the independent scientific bodies that assess ingredients like this one; we show an opinion only when a record we hold cites it.

• SCCS

  EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety

  No SCCS opinion on file.

• CIR

  Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)

  No CIR safety assessment on file.