Phenolphthalein

Phenolphthalein in plain language

What it is

Also known as Yellow phenolphthalein · White phenolphthalein · Phenolphthalin · Phenpolphthalein · 3,3-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phthalide (Phenolphthalein (INN)) · 3,3-BIS(P-HYDROXYPHENYL)PHTHALIDE

Show all 36 names

3,3-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-benzofuran-1(3H)-one · 3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-benzofuran-1-one · 1(3H)-Isobenzofuranone, 3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)- · 3,3-BIS (p-hydroxy-phenyl)-phthalide · 3,3-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-(3H)-isobenzofuranone · 3,3-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phthalide · Chocolax · Colax · Correctol · Dihydroxyphthalophenone · Espotabs · Euchessina · Koprol · Laxin · Laxogen · Medilax · Phenolax · Phenolphtaleine · Phthalimetten · Phthalin · Purga · Purgen · Purgophen · Spulmako-lax · Trilax · fenolftaleina · phenolphtalein · phenolphthalein powder · phenolphthalein. nature of hazard: irritant. · phenopthalein (<0.01%)

What it does

We don't have a plain-language description for Phenolphthalein yet.

Recorded functional uses: Not reported · No specific technical function

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

3,3-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phthalide (Phenolphthalein (INN)) 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.

• In marketed US drugs
• 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: Carcinogenic Cat. 1A(C=>1%),Carcinogenic Cat. 1B(),Mutagenic Cat. 2(),Reprotoxic Cat. 2()

  banned
  View source →

• EU·CosIng·Active2 entries

  • Cosmetics Regulation annex II / ref 417.Source →
  • Restriction: II/417Source →
• US·EPA·commercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 162 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies, Raw materials, Landscape/yard. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including No specific technical function.

  • EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 162 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies, Raw materials, Landscape/yard. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including No specific technical function.Source →
• US·FDA·marketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 1 active drug products and 1 total products.

  • FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 1 active drug products and 1 total products.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 Phenolphthalein. 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.