Allantoin Powder

• INCI Name: Allantoin
• CAS Number: 97-59-6
• Chemical Name: (2,5-Dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)urea; 5-ureidohydantoin
• Chemical Formula: C₄H₆N₄O₃
• Molecular Weight: 158.12 g/mol
• Origin: Synthetic (cosmetic grade — produced by oxidation of uric acid or from glyoxylic acid)
• Grade: Cosmetic / Pharmaceutical Grade
• Purity: ≥98.5% Allantoin (typically 99%+)
• Appearance: White fine crystalline powder
• Odour: Odourless
• Taste: Bland, neutral
• pH (1% solution): Approximately 4.5–6.0 — mildly acidic to near neutral
• Solubility: Slightly soluble in water at room temperature (0.5–0.6% at 25°C); more soluble in warm water (approximately 5% at 80°C); insoluble in most oils and organic solvents
• Phase Addition: Water phase — dissolve in warm water phase at 60–80°C for best dissolution; cool-down addition possible in pre-dissolved form
• Melting Point: 225–230°C (decomposes)
• Stability: Stable across pH 4.0–8.0 in formulation; most stable at pH 4.5–6.0; stable to heat up to 150°C; avoid strongly alkaline conditions (pH >9) which cause hydrolysis
• Usage Rate: 0.1–2.0% of total formulation weight
• Shelf Life: 3+ years in sealed storage
• Storage: Store sealed in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight

YOU MAY ALSO NEED

• Comfrey Root Powder Organic — the natural botanical source of allantoin; pairs with allantoin powder in healing skin formulations
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) — synergistic active pairing with allantoin for barrier repair, brightening, and sensitive skin formulations
• Shea Butter (Refined & Organic) — primary butter base for allantoin-containing sensitive skin creams and barrier formulations
• Optiphen Plus Preservative — compatible preservative for allantoin-containing cream and lotion formulations
• Phenoxyethanol Preservative — alternative preservative for allantoin-containing formulations across all pH ranges
• Citric Acid Anhydrous — pH adjustment for allantoin-containing formulations
• Wax and Emulsifiers Collection — emulsifying waxes for allantoin-containing lotion and cream bases
• Essential Oils Collection — natural scenting for allantoin-containing sensitive skin formulations
• Lavender Essential Oil — classic pairing with allantoin in soothing, healing skincare

• Genuinely multifunctional — simultaneously keratolytic, cell proliferant, anti-irritant, and skin protectant; rare combination in a single active at very low usage rates
• FDA-recognised OTC skin protectant at 0.5–2% — one of very few cosmetic actives with this regulatory recognition; enables substantiated therapeutic claims in appropriate markets
• Exceptional tolerance profile — no known sensitisation; non-irritating; suitable for the most sensitive skin types including atopic, rosacea, post-procedure, and baby skin
• Very low effective usage rate (0.1–2%) — highly cost-efficient; minimal impact on formulation aesthetics, texture, or stability
• Colourless and odourless in formulation — adds no colour, scent, or aesthetic compromise
• pH and heat stable — stable across pH 4.0–8.0 and to temperatures up to 150°C; flexible addition timing
• Compatible with virtually all cosmetic ingredients — works alongside AHAs, retinol, niacinamide, peptides, and all standard formulation ingredients
• Anti-irritant counterbalance for active ingredients — pairs with irritating actives (retinol, AHAs, vitamin C) to reduce reactivity without reducing efficacy
• Water soluble at cosmetic use concentrations — dissolves cleanly in warm water phase with no solubilisation challenge
• Supports penetration of other actives — keratolytic loosening of dead cell layer improves absorption of co-formulated actives
• Clinically and regulatory-backed — decades of clinical documentation and global regulatory approval; not a trend ingredient — a proven workhorse
• Found naturally in comfrey root — bridges natural and synthetic positioning in marketing narratives

Cosmetic and pharmaceutical grade — safe for direct skin contact in all leave-on and rinse-off formulations at 0.1–2%

One of the safest cosmetic actives available — no known contact sensitisation; no reported significant adverse events at cosmetic usage concentrations; widely used in baby and paediatric formulations

Non-irritating — consistently non-irritating across published clinical assessments; suitable for the most reactive skin types

FDA OTC status — at 0.5–2%, qualifies as a safe and effective OTC skin protectant in the USA; this level of regulatory recognition reflects its exceptional safety profile

Not for high-concentration ingestion as a standalone powder — food safe at cosmetic use rates in lip products and toothpaste

Avoid strongly alkaline conditions (pH >9) — allantoin can hydrolyse at very high pH; formulate within pH 4.0–8.0 for stability

Avoid contact with eyes in concentrated powder form; if contact occurs rinse thoroughly with water

Keep out of reach of children

Store sealed away from moisture — hygroscopic; will absorb atmospheric water if left unsealed; store in a dry sealed container

What is the INCI name for Allantoin?

The INCI name is simply Allantoin — one of the most straightforward cosmetic active INCI declarations. This single name must appear on your finished cosmetic product ingredient list. Despite its natural occurrence in comfrey and other plants, cosmetic grade allantoin is typically synthetic — but this does not require different INCI labelling. Both natural-derived and synthetic allantoin use the same INCI name.

What is the correct usage rate for Allantoin?

The standard cosmetic usage range is 0.1–2.0%. For most moisturisers, serums, and sensitive skin products, 0.2–0.5% is the standard working rate — effective and well within solubility limits at these concentrations. For wound healing, scar creams, or foot creams targeting rough skin, 0.5–1.0% is more appropriate. At 0.5–2.0%, allantoin qualifies as an FDA OTC skin protectant active. Never exceed 2% in finished products — above this threshold it provides no additional benefit and may approach solubility limits in cooler formulations.

Why is allantoin hard to dissolve and how do I fix it?

Allantoin has limited water solubility at room temperature (approximately 0.5% at 25°C). At typical cosmetic usage rates of 0.1–0.5% it will dissolve completely if added to warm water at 60–80°C during the water phase heating step. The issue formulators encounter is attempting to dissolve allantoin in cold water — it will not fully dissolve this way. Always add to the water phase at the beginning of heating, or pre-dissolve in a small amount of boiling/near-boiling water before adding to cool formulations.

Can Allantoin be used with AHAs, retinol, and vitamin C?

Yes — and it is actively recommended. Allantoin's anti-irritant and soothing properties make it an excellent anti-irritancy partner for potent active ingredients. Adding allantoin at 0.2–0.5% to retinol formulations reduces initial irritation; in AHA exfoliants it soothes post-exfoliation sensitivity; in high-concentration vitamin C serums it calms erythema. The key point is that allantoin reduces the perceived irritancy of these actives without reducing their efficacy — it soothes the skin rather than neutralising the active.

Is synthetic allantoin the same as natural allantoin from comfrey?

Functionally, yes — synthetic and comfrey-derived allantoin are chemically identical (C₄H₆N₄O₃) and produce the same cosmetic effects. Cosmetic grade allantoin is almost always synthetic because synthetic production guarantees consistent purity (98.5–99%+), whereas natural extraction from comfrey produces variable concentrations alongside other comfrey compounds. For marketing narratives, you can note that allantoin occurs naturally in comfrey and is also found in your comfrey root powder product — both reference the same beneficial compound from different sourcing approaches.

Is Allantoin safe for baby skincare?

Yes — allantoin is one of the safest cosmetic actives and is widely used in clinical baby nappy rash preparations, baby lotions, and baby body washes at 0.2–0.5%. The FDA recognises it as a safe and effective OTC skin protectant specifically including for infant skin. It is non-sensitising, non-irritating, and has an excellent safety record in paediatric dermatology applications.

Can I use Allantoin in cold process soap?

Yes — at 0.5–1% of total oil weight, added as a water-phase additive dissolved in warm distilled water before lye addition. Allantoin is alkali-stable enough to survive the saponification process in cold process soap, meaning some of its skin-beneficial properties carry through to the finished bar. It contributes to a soothing, skin-conditioning claim for the finished soap. Dissolve fully in warm water before adding lye to ensure even distribution throughout the soap batter.