Carnitine
A cosmetic ingredient used as antistatic, cleansing, hair conditioning in skincare, haircare, and personal-care products sold in the European Union.
What is it?
1-Propanaminium, 3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-, inner salt (R)-
What does it do?
Carnitine is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with the following declared functions:
-
Antistatic
reduces static electricity, mostly in hair products to keep strands smooth and manageable
-
Cleansing
helps remove dirt, oil, makeup, and other contaminants from skin or hair
-
Hair conditioning
improves the appearance, feel, and manageability of hair
-
Skin conditioning
improves the appearance, feel, and condition of skin
-
Surfactant - cleansing
surfactant whose primary cosmetic role is cleansing — the active workhorse in soaps, shampoos, and body washes
-
Surfactant - foam boosting
surfactant that increases the volume or stability of foam produced by other surfactants in the same formulation
-
Viscosity controlling
adjusts the thickness or flow of a formulation
EU regulatory status
Carnitine is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the European Union under Regulation 1223/2009. It is not subject to a specific Annex restriction at the time of writing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Carnitine?
Carnitine is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. 1-Propanaminium, 3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-, inner salt (R)-
Is Carnitine allowed in cosmetics in the EU?
Yes. Carnitine is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the EU under Regulation 1223/2009.
What does Carnitine do in cosmetic products?
Carnitine is declared in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with these functions: antistatic, cleansing, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, surfactant - cleansing, surfactant - foam boosting, viscosity controlling.
What is the CAS number of Carnitine?
The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for Carnitine is 541-15-1.
Related ingredients
Source: EU CosIng database (European Commission). This page is derived from public-sector information published by the European Commission. · Last updated: 15/10/2010