The CIR panel judges it safe in the product categories and at the concentrations reviewed, up to 2%. It is not restricted in the EU. During pregnancy, as with any skincare product, a healthcare professional's advice remains the rule.

Allantoin

Q: Is allantoin natural or synthetic?

The molecule exists in comfrey root, but this plant also contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which make its applications inadvisable. The origin of a raw material is checked in the supplier's specification.

Allantoin is a heterocyclic compound declared in cosmetics as a skin conditioning, protecting and soothing agent1 2. The CIR panel judges it safe, with reported use up to 2%2. Cosmetic evidence specific to allantoin remains thin: it is common in skincare for sensitive skin, where clinical studies are lacking3.

Mohamed El HjoujiFounder and CEO · Updated November 3, 2026 · Reading time 7 min

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Allantoin at a glance

Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database1, safety according to the CIR expert panel2. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.

INCI name: ALLANTOINNot to be confused with allantoin complexes (allantoin panthenol, allantoin biotin, etc.), which have their own INCI names1 2
Other names: 5-UreidohydantoinUrea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)- in CosIng1
CAS number: 97-59-6
EC number: 202-592-8
Formula: C₄H₆N₄O₃Molar mass 158.12 g/mol
CosIng functions: Skin conditioning, skin protecting, soothing"Skin conditioning", "Skin protecting" and "Soothing" in the European nomenclature1
Origin: Molecule, found in comfrey root0.94 to 2.09% allantoin in two root-based products5. Comfrey also contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids6: check the origin in the raw material specification
Solubility: Limited in waterIn the xanthan hydrogels studied, it stays in suspension7
EU status: No restrictionAbsent from the annexes of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 in CosIng1 8
Allergen to declare: No
Safety: Judged safe in cosmeticsCIR panel 2010: used in 1,376 products, at concentrations up to 2%2

What the research says

Each result shows the protocol and the level of evidence. The higher the level, the better the result carries over to a finished formula.

Clinical trialReview or consensusLaboratory

SkinSkincare

A comfrey extract does better than pure allantoin

Clinical trial

Creams and gels, pure allantoin or comfrey root extract standardized in allantoinArtificially irritated skin of healthy volunteersMeasurements at 3 and 7 days

Preparations with comfrey extract show a better anti-irritant potential (hydration, redness, water loss) than those with pure allantoin, and creams do better than gels. The activity of the extract is therefore not explained by allantoin alone4.

A slight brake on proliferation in culture, at high dose

Laboratory

Pure allantoinEpithelial cells (MDCK) and fibroblasts (L929)40 and 100 µg/ml

Pure allantoin slightly slows the proliferation of both cell lines, especially the epithelial cells. A cell culture result at high concentrations, which does not predict the effect of a cream4.

Third most common active in skincare for sensitive skin

Review

88 products from 19 brandsPharmacy and drugstore

Allantoin comes after niacinamide and oat (Avena sativa). Clinical studies on these actives lack methodological quality; only niacinamide, panthenol and a dipeptide have been studied in volunteers with sensitive skin, not allantoin3.

Formulation and safetyReviews and formulation

Judged safe by the CIR panel, up to 2%

Expert assessment

CIR panel 2010Allantoin and six complexes

Safety data are judged sufficient for allantoin and its complexes in the product categories and at the concentrations reviewed. Allantoin is reported in 1,376 products, up to 2%. The complexes with galacturonic and polygalacturonic acids lack data2.

A molecule found in comfrey root

Review

Root assay 20202024 review

Two root-based products contain from 0.94 to 2.09% allantoin5. A review notes that the toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids of comfrey make its applications inadvisable6.

In suspension in a gel, with reduced spreadability

Laboratory

Xanthan hydrogel, 4 formulasTwo preparation methods

In the gel, allantoin is in suspension, and gels containing it spread less well than gels without allantoin. The preparation method influences gel quality7.

This page summarizes published literature on a cosmetic ingredient. It does not describe the effect of a finished product, which depends on its formula, and it is not medical advice. Allantoin is mostly studied in medical uses (dressings, skin repair), which are not covered here. Cosmetic data specific to allantoin are scarce: this page says so without embellishing.

Concentrations used in studies

No cited trial compares several concentrations of allantoin. The CIR panel reports its use in 1,376 products at concentrations up to 2%2. The final concentration is set with the formulator, depending on the format.

2%Maximum use concentration reported2

0%12345%

Which products use allantoin?

Our white label catalog includes 32 formulas with allantoin, always as a supporting ingredient. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).

19Face

Supporting active in face creams, serums, scrubs and cleansing gels.

11Body

Supporting active in aftershave care, body scrubs, an intimate care product, a body cream and an after-sun.

2Hair

Supporting active in styling creams and leave-ins.

Leave-in and styling creams2

In our formulas, it is most often paired with

Panthenol 17 Vitamin E 13 Shea butter 11 Aloe vera 9

Allantoin, panthenol, urea or aloe vera?

Four comfort actives often combined in the same formula. They do not exclude each other.

	Allantoin	Panthenol	Urea	Aloe vera
Main role	Skin conditioning, protecting, soothing1	Hydration, barrier, hair	Hydration of dry skin	Hydration and comfort
Origin	Molecule, also found in comfrey root5	Synthesis, provitamin B5	Synthesis	Plant-based, leaf gel
Formulation watch point	Limited solubility, in suspension in the gels studied7	Liquid or powder depending on the form	Dosed according to the desired effect	Aloe and anthraquinone content to control
EU regulation	No restriction1	No restriction	No restriction	No restriction

Frequently asked questions about allantoin

What is allantoin?

It is a heterocyclic compound (CAS 97-59-6), declared as ALLANTOIN on the label. In the CosIng database, its functions are skin conditioning, skin protecting and soothing1. It is also found in comfrey root5.

What are the benefits of allantoin for skin?

Cosmetic evidence specific to allantoin is thin. In a trial on artificially irritated skin, a comfrey extract standardized in allantoin did better than pure allantoin4. A 2022 review notes that clinical studies on actives for sensitive skin, allantoin included, lack quality3.

Is allantoin safe?

The CIR panel judges it safe in the product categories and at the concentrations reviewed, up to 2%2. It is not restricted in the EU1 8. During pregnancy, as with any skincare product, a healthcare professional's advice remains the rule.

What percentage of allantoin should you use?

No cited trial compares several concentrations. The CIR panel reports use up to 2%2. The dose is set with the formulator, depending on the format: allantoin dissolves poorly and stays in suspension in the gels studied7.

What should you pair allantoin with?

In our formulas, it is most often paired with panthenol, vitamin E, shea butter, aloe vera and niacinamide. The stability of the final formula is checked with laboratory tests.

Is allantoin natural or synthetic?

The molecule exists in comfrey root5, but this plant also contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which make its applications inadvisable6. The origin of a raw material is checked in the supplier's specification.

Can you manufacture an allantoin cream or serum for my brand?

Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified laboratory offers 32 formulas containing allantoin (creams, serums, cleansing gels, scrubs, body and hair care) to customize, or a custom formula. Free samples are included.

Sources

Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.

European Commission. CosIng, entry ALLANTOIN (CAS 97-59-6, EC 202-592-8). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
Becker LC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Final report of the safety assessment of allantoin and its related complexes Int J Toxicol. 2010;29(3 Suppl):84S-97S. doi:10.1177/1091581810362805
Ferreira MS, Sousa Lobo JM, Almeida IF. Sensitive skin: active ingredients on the spotlight Int J Cosmet Sci. 2022;44(1):56-73. doi:10.1111/ics.12754
Savić VLj, Nikolić VD, Arsić IA, et al. Comparative study of the biological activity of allantoin and aqueous extract of the comfrey root Phytother Res. 2015;29(8):1117-1122. doi:10.1002/ptr.5356
Kimel K, Zienkiewicz M, Sparzak-Stefanowska B, Krauze-Baranowska M. TLC-densitometric analysis of allantoin in Symphytum officinale L. roots Acta Pharm. 2020;70(1):101-110. doi:10.2478/acph-2020-0014
Chrzanowska E, Denisow B, Ekiert H, Pietrzyk Ł. Metabolites obtained from Boraginaceae plants as potential cosmetic ingredients - a review Molecules. 2024;29(21):5088. doi:10.3390/molecules29215088
Vlad RA, Dudici Vlăgea TC, Syed MA, et al. Impact of the preparation method on the formulation properties of allantoin hydrogels: evaluation using Semi-Solid Control Diagram (SSCD) principles Gels. 2024;10(1):58. doi:10.3390/gels10010058
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products. eur-lex.europa.eu

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