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InventoryRef 7542215/10/2010

CYSTEINE

L-Cysteine

CYSTEINE is listed in the EU CosIng inventory, but no direct annex records are linked on this page yet.

Regulatory evidence by market

No rule for this ingredient has been imported for any of the 13 markets tracked here.

That describes this inventory, not the law. No imported rule is not evidence that an ingredient is permitted: a rule may exist under another name or identifier, or in a dataset not yet imported here.

Chemical identity and properties

PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 3374-22-9
CAS 3374-22-9PubChem CID 594

DL-cysteine

Cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is propanoic acid with an amino group at position 2 and a sulfanyl group at position 3. It has a role as a fundamental metabolite. It is a polar amino acid, a sulfur-containing amino acid and an alpha-amino acid. It contains a sulfanylmethyl group. It is a conjugate base of a cysteinium. It is a conjugate acid of a cysteinate(1-). It is a tautomer of a cysteine zwitterion. ChEBI

IUPAC name
2-amino-3-sulfanylpropanoic acid
Molecular formula
C3H7NO2S
Molecular weight
121.16 g/mol
Exact mass
121.01974964 Da
XLogP3
-2.5
Topological polar surface area
64.3 Ų
Hydrogen-bond donors
3
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
4
Covalent units
1
Defined stereocentres
0

Also known as

CYSTEINE, DL-5CM45Q5YAFNSC-63864RefChem:1083896222-160-2DL-Cystein(+/-)-2-Amino-3-mercaptopropionic acidNSC 63864
16 more reported names
ZysteinHcysd,l-cysteineUNII-5CM45Q5YAF[35s]cysteineCCRIS 85982-amino-3-sulfanyl-propanoic acidL-HSCH2CH(NH2)COOHCAS_5862DL-2-Amino-3-mercaptopropionic acidCS-W013566Tox21_111766_1H-Cys-OH HCl HOCAS-3374-22-9C3H7NO2SSR-01000944791
External database identifiers

Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.

PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 52-90-4
CAS 52-90-4PubChem CID 5862

L-(+)-Cysteine

L-cysteine is an optically active form of cysteine having L-configuration. It has a role as a flour treatment agent, an EC 4.3.1.3 (histidine ammonia-lyase) inhibitor and a human metabolite. It is a cysteine, a L-alpha-amino acid, a serine family amino acid and a proteinogenic amino acid. It is a conjugate base of a L-cysteinium. It is a conjugate acid of a L-cysteinate(1-). It is an enantiomer of a D-cysteine. It is a tautomer of a L-cysteine zwitterion. ChEBI

IUPAC name
(2R)-2-amino-3-sulfanylpropanoic acid
Molecular formula
C3H7NO2S
Molecular weight
121.16 g/mol
Exact mass
121.01974964 Da
XLogP3
-2.5
Topological polar surface area
64.3 Ų
Hydrogen-bond donors
3
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
4
Covalent units
1
Defined stereocentres
1

Also known as

L-cysteinecysteineCystein(R)-2-Amino-3-mercaptopropanoic acidThioserineHalf-cystinebeta-MercaptoalanineL-Cystein
16 more reported names
CysteinumL-CyscisteinaHalf cystine2-Amino-3-mercaptopropionic acidL-Alanine, 3-mercapto-FREE CYSTEINECisteinumFEMA No. 3263Cisteinum [Latin]NSC-8746alpha-Amino-beta-thiolpropionic acidL-2-Amino-3-mercaptopropionic acidbeta-Mercaptoalanine, L-(2R)-2-amino-3-mercaptopropanoic acidL Cysteine
External database identifiers

Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-09-02 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.

Inventory details for CYSTEINE

INCI name

CYSTEINE

INN name

cysteine

Description

L-Cysteine

Record provenance

Inventory reference
75422
Imported identity
CYSTEINE
Source update
15/10/2010
European Commission CosIng source notes

Key data

CAS
52-90-4 / 3374-22-9
EC
200-158-2 / 222-160-2
Restriction
Function
ANTIOXIDANT
Inhibiting reactions promoted by oxygen, thus avoiding oxidation and rancidity.
ANTISTATIC
Preventing and/or reducing static electricity by neutralising electrical charge on surfaces.
FRAGRANCE
Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.
HAIR CONDITIONING
Enhancing the appearance and feel of hair. Leaving the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparting volume, lightness, gloss, texture, etc.
HAIR WAVING OR STRAIGHTENING
Modifying the chemical structure of the hair, allowing it to be set in the style required (permanent waves or hair straightening).
REDUCING
Changing the chemical nature of another ingredient by adding hydrogen (or removing oxygen).

Official EU ingredient-name evidence

The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.

Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions

Additional official and scientific sources

11 external databases to check this identity in

How CYSTEINE appears in the CosIng inventory

The CosIng inventory lists CYSTEINE as a cosmetic ingredient and this page links it to 0 annex records. The inventory entry captures names and identifiers, while the annex records show where the substance is prohibited, restricted or positively listed in EU cosmetics law.

CYSTEINE is also tagged with 6 cosmetic functions in the official data. Function labels describe intended use, but they do not replace regulatory review of linked annex records before formulation or labelling work.

Frequently asked questions

CYSTEINE is listed in the EU CosIng ingredient inventory with no direct annex restriction records linked at this time. Absence of an annex link does not guarantee unrestricted use — always verify against the current official CosIng database before formulating.

According to the EU CosIng inventory, CYSTEINE carries the following function designation(s):

CAS 52-90-4 / 3374-22-9 may appear across multiple EU annex records. Viewing the CAS lookup page shows all Annex II–VI entries sharing this identifier, which is useful for identifying cross-annex regulatory status of the same chemical substance.

Use the INCI Checker to screen a full ingredient list across selected markets, or compare this substance across all supported market datasets.

Source note for CYSTEINE

This page reproduces the CosIng inventory entry for CYSTEINE from public European Commission cosmetic ingredient materials and shows linked identifiers even when no direct annex match is currently attached.

Use this inventory page to research CYSTEINE and compare linked records, but verify restrictions and legal status against the current official source text and law before making regulatory decisions.

Tools & next steps

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