Aminomethyl Propanol

What Is It?

Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol are alkanolamines, which means that these compounds have both a hydroxyl group (-OH) and an amino group (NH2) Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol are either colorless liquids or crystalline solids, though they may sold as pastes. In cosmetics and personal care products, both Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol are used in the formulation of creams and lotions, hair sprays, wave sets, hair dyes and colors, eye and facial products, and other hair and skin care products.

Why Is It Used?

Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol are used a pH adjusters.

Scientific Facts

Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol can react with mineral acids to form salts. These salts can then be used to make soaps, which have a number of cosmetic and noncosmetic uses.

Safety Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes Aminomethyl Propanol on its list of indirect food additives as a component of adhesives that are in contact with food. The safety of Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel.

The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that at concentrations not exceeding 1%, Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol were safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products. In 2007, as part of the scheduled re-evaluation of ingredients, the CIR Expert Panel considered available new data on Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol. Based on new information supporting the safety of Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol at concentrations up to 7% and 2%, respectively, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that these ingredients were safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products.

CIR Safety Review: The CIR Expert Panel noted that although pure Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol are highly alkaline, when used in cosmetic products they are buffered, and the adverse effects observed with the pure compound are not observed. In primary irritation studies, Aminomethyl Propanol and formulations containing Aminomethyl Propanol were, at most, minimally irritating to abraded and nonabraded skin.

Cosmetics and personal care products containing Aminomethyl Propanediol were only minimally irritating to skin. Aminomethyl Propanol was not an skin sensitizer and products containing Aminomethyl Propanediol or Aminomethyl Propanol were minimal to moderate irritants to the eyes. Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol were nonmutagenic, both with and without metabolic activation.

In clinical studies, Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol were neither primary dermal irritants nor dermal sensitizers. Data were available to support the safety of these ingredients at a concentraiton of 7% for Aminomethyl Propanol and 2% for Aminomethyl Propandiol.

The CIR Expert Panel noted that these ingredients may be contaminated with secondary amines which may form potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines. The CIR Expert Panel cautioned that if Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol used in cosmetic products contain secondary amines, these ingredients should not be used in cosmetic formulations containing nitrosating agents.

FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Aminomethyl Propanol

Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol are monoalkanolamines. Monoalkylamines, monoalkanolamines and their salts are listed in the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union (Annex III, Part I). These ingredients are permitted for use in cosmetics and personal care products when they have a purity of 99%, a maximum secondary amine content of 0.5%, and a maximum nitrosamine content of 50 microg/kg. Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol may not be used in products with nitrosating systems.

EU Cosmetic Regulation

More Scientific Information

Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol are substituted aliphatic alcohols. In cosmetics and personal care products, they both function as pH adjusters.