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Retinol and its esters

Canada Hotlist: Retinol and its esters

Health Canada lists this ingredient as restricted; the listed conditions and warnings apply.

All Canada recordsOpen ingredient profileCompare all marketsOpen official source

Regulatory decision and full conditions

Status
Restricted
Legal role
Official guidance
Regulatory summary
Health Canada lists this ingredient as restricted; the listed conditions and warnings apply.
Conditions and restrictions
Synonyms or related compounds: Vitamin A; Retinyl acetate; Retinyl palmitate; Retinyl linoleate; Retinyl propionate | a) Leave-on products intended for full body application | b) Other cosmetics · Maximum concentration: 0.2% total retinol equivalents | 1.0% total retinol equivalents

Substance identity

Official source name
Retinol and its esters
CAS
68-26-8; 127-47-9; 79-81-2; 631-89-0; 7069-42-3
EC
Not supplied in this source row
Identity mapping
Exact CAS: 68-26-8
Linked ingredient
RETINOL
Search this identity across the siteCAS 68-26-8CAS 127-47-9CAS 79-81-2CAS 631-89-0CAS 7069-42-3

Linked CosIng identity data

Names and aliases

RETINOLretinol [INN:BAN]vitaminum a

CosIng description: Retinol; vitamin A

Recorded cosmetic function: SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS

Function pages:SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS

View the complete ingredient profile

Cross-market snapshot for this identity

Exact linked records currently present in this site. An absent market means no imported exact match, not permission to use the substance.

10 market datasets
PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 127-47-9
CAS 127-47-9PubChem CID 638034

Verified chemistry for CAS 127-47-9

Retinol, acetate

Retinyl acetate is an acetate ester. It is functionally related to an all-trans-retinol. — ChEBI

IUPAC name
[(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl] acetate
Molecular formula
C22H32O2
Molecular weight
328.5 g/mol
Exact mass
328.240230259 Da
Monoisotopic mass
328.240230259 Da
XLogP3
6.3
Topological polar surface area
26.3 Ų
Molecular complexity
595.0
Formal charge
0
Hydrogen-bond donors
0
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
2
Rotatable bonds
7
Heavy atoms
24
Covalent units
1

Names and synonyms reported to PubChem

RETINYL ACETATEVitamin A acetateRetinol acetateVitamin A1 acetateall-trans-Retinol acetateCrystaletsVitamin A alcohol acetateDavitan A 650
16 more reported names
all-trans-Vitamin A acetateRetinol, acetate, all-trans-(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraen-1-yl acetateall-trans-RetinylacetateAcetic acid, retinyl ester3LE3D9D6OYVitamin A, acetateVitamin A acetate (tritiated)O(15)-acetylretinolORISTAR RANSC-122045NSC-122760RO-1-5275CHEBI:32095VITAMIN A ACETATE 1.5 M.I.U./G((2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl) acetate
Open full PubChem recordSafety and hazards at PubChemPubChem annotationsChemical classifications3D structure image
External database identifiers
Advanced structure statistics
Defined atom stereocentres
0
Undefined atom stereocentres
0
Defined bond stereocentres
4
Undefined bond stereocentres
0
3D pharmacophore features
5
3D rings
1
3D hydrophobes
3
3D acceptor features
1
3D donor features
0
3D anionic centres
0
3D cationic centres
0
3D conformers
10
Effective 3D rotors
7.8
Machine-readable structure identifiers
SMILES
CC1=C(C(CCC1)(C)C)/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C(=C/COC(=O)C)/C)/C
InChI
InChI=1S/C22H32O2/c1-17(9-7-10-18(2)14-16-24-20(4)23)12-13-21-19(3)11-8-15-22(21,5)6/h7,9-10,12-14H,8,11,15-16H2,1-6H3/b10-7+,13-12+,17-9+,18-14+
InChIKey
QGNJRVVDBSJHIZ-QHLGVNSISA-N

Evidence from additional scientific databases

NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match638034

Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.

  • Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 0.3% (1 of 374) of reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Signal: Danger Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H315 (83.4%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H360 (59.4%): May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]; H361 (39.6%): Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child [Warning Reproductive toxicity]; H413 (64.4%): May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P264, P273, P280, P302+P352, P318, P321, P332+P317, P362+P364, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 374 reports by companies from 22 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 1 of 374 reports by companies.; There are 21 notifications provided by 373 of 374 reports by companies with hazard statement code(s).; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record

Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.

Additional source coverage and match status
SourceResultChecked
NIH PubChem PUG-ViewExact match2026-08-31

A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.

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 631-89-0
CAS 631-89-0PubChem CID 9807563

Verified chemistry for CAS 631-89-0

Retinyl linoleate

IUPAC name
[(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl] (9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dienoate
Molecular formula
C38H60O2
Molecular weight
548.9 g/mol
Exact mass
548.45933115 Da
Monoisotopic mass
548.45933115 Da
XLogP3
13.0
Topological polar surface area
26.3 Ų
Molecular complexity
917.0
Formal charge
0
Hydrogen-bond donors
0
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
2
Rotatable bonds
21
Heavy atoms
40
Covalent units
1

Names and synonyms reported to PubChem

all-trans-retinyl linoleateRetinol linoleateO-linoleoyl-all-trans-retinolRetinol, (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoateCHEBI:70762(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraen-1-yl (9Z,12Z)-octadec-9,12-enoateO(15)-[(9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dienoyl]retinolO(15)-((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dienoyl)retinol
9 more reported names
RefChem:879486RETINOL, 15-((9Z,12Z)-9,12-OCTADECADIENOATE)426-960-4Retinol, 9,12-octadecadienoate, (Z,Z)-XJKITIOIYQCXQR-SCUNHAKFSA-NVAE 18:2WE 38:8(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraen-1-yl (9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dienoateO(15)-[(9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dienoyl]retinol;O-linoleoyl-all-trans-retinol;Retinol linoleate;Retinol, (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoate;Retinyl linoleate
Open full PubChem recordSafety and hazards at PubChemPubChem annotationsChemical classifications3D structure image
External database identifiers
Advanced structure statistics
Defined atom stereocentres
0
Undefined atom stereocentres
0
Defined bond stereocentres
6
Undefined bond stereocentres
0
3D conformers
0
Machine-readable structure identifiers
SMILES
CCCCC/C=C\C/C=C\CCCCCCCC(=O)OC/C=C(\C)/C=C/C=C(\C)/C=C/C1=C(CCCC1(C)C)C
InChI
InChI=1S/C38H60O2/c1-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-27-37(39)40-32-30-34(3)25-22-24-33(2)28-29-36-35(4)26-23-31-38(36,5)6/h11-12,14-15,22,24-25,28-30H,7-10,13,16-21,23,26-27,31-32H2,1-6H3/b12-11-,15-14-,25-22+,29-28+,33-24+,34-30+
InChIKey
XJKITIOIYQCXQR-SCUNHAKFSA-N

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 68-26-8
CAS 68-26-8PubChem CID 445354

Verified chemistry for CAS 68-26-8

Retinol

All-trans-retinol is a retinol in which all four exocyclic double bonds have E- (trans-) geometry. It has a role as a mouse metabolite, a plant metabolite and a human metabolite. It is a vitamin A and a retinol. — ChEBI

IUPAC name
(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraen-1-ol
Molecular formula
C20H30O
Molecular weight
286.5 g/mol
Exact mass
286.229665576 Da
Monoisotopic mass
286.229665576 Da
XLogP3
5.7
Topological polar surface area
20.2 Ų
Molecular complexity
496.0
Formal charge
0
Hydrogen-bond donors
1
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
1
Rotatable bonds
5
Heavy atoms
21
Covalent units
1

Names and synonyms reported to PubChem

all-trans-RetinolAgoncaltrans-retinolVeroftalBentavit AHomagenets AoralSehkraft ATestavol S
16 more reported names
all-trans-Vitamin AAll-trans retinolSuper AAxerophtholumWachstumsvitaminVitaminum AVitamine ARetinoloRetinolumRetinol, all trans-(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraen-1-olRo-a-vitAntixerophthalmisches Vitamin(all-E)-3,7-Dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-olG2SH0XKK91NSC-122759
Open full PubChem recordSafety and hazards at PubChemPubChem annotationsChemical classifications3D structure image
External database identifiers
Advanced structure statistics
Defined atom stereocentres
0
Undefined atom stereocentres
0
Defined bond stereocentres
4
Undefined bond stereocentres
0
3D pharmacophore features
6
3D rings
1
3D hydrophobes
3
3D acceptor features
1
3D donor features
1
3D anionic centres
0
3D cationic centres
0
3D conformers
10
Effective 3D rotors
5.8
Machine-readable structure identifiers
SMILES
CC1=C(C(CCC1)(C)C)/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C(=C/CO)/C)/C
InChI
InChI=1S/C20H30O/c1-16(8-6-9-17(2)13-15-21)11-12-19-18(3)10-7-14-20(19,4)5/h6,8-9,11-13,21H,7,10,14-15H2,1-5H3/b9-6+,12-11+,16-8+,17-13+
InChIKey
FPIPGXGPPPQFEQ-OVSJKPMPSA-N

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 7069-42-3
CAS 7069-42-3PubChem CID 6394572

Verified chemistry for CAS 7069-42-3

Retinyl propionate

IUPAC name
[(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl] propanoate
Molecular formula
C23H34O2
Molecular weight
342.5 g/mol
Exact mass
342.255880323 Da
Monoisotopic mass
342.255880323 Da
XLogP3
6.7
Topological polar surface area
26.3 Ų
Molecular complexity
610.0
Formal charge
0
Hydrogen-bond donors
0
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
2
Rotatable bonds
8
Heavy atoms
25
Covalent units
1

Names and synonyms reported to PubChem

Retinol propionateRetinol, propanoate32JK994WMCVITAMIN A PROPIONATE 2.5 MIO IU/GRefChem:879488230-363-2Vitamin A propionate(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-Dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraen-1-yl propionate
16 more reported names
Retinyl Propionate (Stabilized with BHT) 90%UNII-32JK994WMCPropionic acid, retinol esterEC 230-363-2Retinol, 15-propanoate; Retinol propionate (7CI); Retinol, propanoate (9CI); Retinol, propionate, all-trans- (8CI); Retinyl propionate; Vitamin A propionateEINECS 230-363-2O~15~-PropanoylretinolRETINOL, 15-PROPANOATESFRPDSKECHTFQA-ONOWFSFQSA-NMicrovit a dlc [veterinary] (TN)RETINOL PROPIONATE [WHO-DD]CS-W011896RETINOL, PROPIONATE, ALL-TRANS-AC-34856LS-15018ALL-(E)-RETINOL PROPIONATE [WHO-IP]
Open full PubChem recordSafety and hazards at PubChemPubChem annotationsChemical classifications3D structure image
External database identifiers
Advanced structure statistics
Defined atom stereocentres
0
Undefined atom stereocentres
0
Defined bond stereocentres
4
Undefined bond stereocentres
0
3D pharmacophore features
6
3D rings
1
3D hydrophobes
4
3D acceptor features
1
3D donor features
0
3D anionic centres
0
3D cationic centres
0
3D conformers
10
Effective 3D rotors
8.8
Machine-readable structure identifiers
SMILES
CCC(=O)OC/C=C(\C)/C=C/C=C(\C)/C=C/C1=C(CCCC1(C)C)C
InChI
InChI=1S/C23H34O2/c1-7-22(24)25-17-15-19(3)11-8-10-18(2)13-14-21-20(4)12-9-16-23(21,5)6/h8,10-11,13-15H,7,9,12,16-17H2,1-6H3/b11-8+,14-13+,18-10+,19-15+
InChIKey
SFRPDSKECHTFQA-ONOWFSFQSA-N

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 79-81-2
CAS 79-81-2PubChem CID 5280531

Verified chemistry for CAS 79-81-2

Retinol Palmitate

All-trans-retinyl palmitate is an all-trans-retinyl ester obtained by formal condensation of the carboxy group of palmitic (hexadecanoic acid) with the hydroxy group of all-trans-retinol. It is used in cosmetic products to treat various skin disorders such as acne, skin aging, wrinkles, dark spots, and also protect against psoriasis. It has a role as an antioxidant, a human xenobiotic metabolite and an Escherichia coli metabolite. It is a retinyl palmitate and an all-trans-retinyl ester. It is functionally related to an all-trans-retinol. — ChEBI

IUPAC name
[(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl] hexadecanoate
Molecular formula
C36H60O2
Molecular weight
524.9 g/mol
Exact mass
524.45933115 Da
Monoisotopic mass
524.45933115 Da
XLogP3
13.6
Topological polar surface area
26.3 Ų
Molecular complexity
803.0
Formal charge
0
Hydrogen-bond donors
0
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
2
Rotatable bonds
21
Heavy atoms
38
Covalent units
1

Names and synonyms reported to PubChem

retinyl palmitateVITAMIN A PALMITATERetinol, hexadecanoateall-trans-Retinyl palmitateArovitOptovit-ARetinyl hexadecanoateVitamin A Solubilized
16 more reported names
1D1K0N0VVCNSC-758478Retinol, palmitate, all-transAll-(e)-retinol palmitateCHEBI:17616Vitamin a palmitate (solubilized)Retinol Hexadecanoate((2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl) hexadecanoate(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-Dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraen-1-yl palmitatepalmitate-1-14cRetinol-15-3HRefChem:56213Retinyl-10,11-14C2CHEBI:15040201-228-5Afaxin
Open full PubChem recordSafety and hazards at PubChemPubChem annotationsChemical classifications3D structure image
External database identifiers
Advanced structure statistics
Defined atom stereocentres
0
Undefined atom stereocentres
0
Defined bond stereocentres
4
Undefined bond stereocentres
0
3D conformers
0
Machine-readable structure identifiers
SMILES
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC/C=C(\C)/C=C/C=C(\C)/C=C/C1=C(CCCC1(C)C)C
InChI
InChI=1S/C36H60O2/c1-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-25-35(37)38-30-28-32(3)23-20-22-31(2)26-27-34-33(4)24-21-29-36(34,5)6/h20,22-23,26-28H,7-19,21,24-25,29-30H2,1-6H3/b23-20+,27-26+,31-22+,32-28+
InChIKey
VYGQUTWHTHXGQB-FFHKNEKCSA-N

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

Official source and provenance

Registered source
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Source reference
Hotlist restricted entry 72
Source record ID
restricted:72
Source version
Health Canada Hotlist 2025-08-13
Source language
English
Translation status
Original is English
Source updated
2025-08-13
Snapshot checked
2026-08-30 04:07 UTC
Validation method
strict HTML tables t1=490 and t2=90
SHA-256
8b52ff573d08373ee90121f6a701b3607e4a3d6fc748a7d56171eb53510af91a

Registered dataset notes

Dataset coverage
Administrative prohibitions, restrictions, conditions and warning requirements
Authority note
Official Health Canada compliance indicator; not a complete safety clearance
Inspect the exact official sourceRegulator guidance

How this record fits the market dataset

580
current Canada records
90
records marked Restricted
580
records from this source version
516
market records with CAS identity

Status distribution

Prohibited: 490Restricted: 90

Condition text is present on 172 of 580 current records. An empty condition field is interpreted according to the record type above; it is never converted into an unrestricted-use claim.

Canada market context

Complete Hotlist snapshot

Coverage version: Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, 13 August 2025

All prohibited and restricted Hotlist entries, including conditions and warning requirements published in the official list.

Verification checklist

  1. Search English/French names and CAS identifiers.
  2. Apply every restriction, concentration and label warning.
  3. Check Food and Drugs Act/Cosmetic Regulations requirements.
  4. Recheck the current Hotlist before notification or sale.

Official market sources

Verification workflow and record completeness

Before using this result in a compliance decision

  1. Confirm that “Retinol and its esters” and every CAS/EC identifier refer to the material in your supplier specification.
  2. Search English/French names and CAS identifiers.
  3. Apply every restriction, concentration and label warning.
  4. Check Food and Drugs Act/Cosmetic Regulations requirements.
  5. Recheck the current Hotlist before notification or sale.
  6. Document the source version and recheck the regulator before manufacture, notification or market placement.

Fields available in this record

  • Official substance nameAvailable
  • CASAvailable
  • ECNot supplied
  • Separate condition textAvailable
  • Effective dateNot supplied
  • Snapshot hash and methodAvailable

Questions this page answers

This substance is not unrestricted: cosmetic use is subject to the conditions in the cited official record. Check product type, body area, concentration, purity and warning requirements before deciding whether a formulation is compliant.

If this row does not reproduce conditions, open the cited official detail because omission does not mean unrestricted use. The Hotlist is an administrative compliance tool, not an exhaustive safety approval list.

The record cites Hotlist restricted entry 72, source version Health Canada Hotlist 2025-08-13. Open the official source.

No. CAS helps resolve identity, but jurisdictions can classify the same substance differently and can apply different product scopes, limits, warnings and transition dates.

Stable citation

Retinol and its esters. Hotlist restricted entry 72. Canada. Source version Health Canada Hotlist 2025-08-13. CosIng Checker regulatory record: https://cosingchecker.com/regulations/ca/records/562/

Cite the regulator as the legal authority. This page is a structured evidence index and verification aid, not a substitute for the official text or professional legal assessment.

Interpretation and limits for Canada

This substance is not unrestricted: cosmetic use is subject to the conditions in the cited official record.

Check product type, body area, concentration, purity and warning requirements before deciding whether a formulation is compliant.

How to interpret the legal role

The authority uses this source as compliance guidance; the underlying legislation remains controlling.

Evidence on this page

  • Recorded outcome: Restricted
  • Legal role: Official guidance
  • Source version: Health Canada Hotlist 2025-08-13

What it does not prove

The Hotlist is an administrative compliance tool, not an exhaustive safety approval list.

Further authoritative substance research

These sources can add identity, safety, exposure or hazard context. A link is not evidence that the database contains this exact substance, and none of these sources overrides the market decision above.

Cosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessments

Expert Panel conclusions, assessed ingredient groups, use conditions, dates and report documents

Independent expert review considered by FDA; not a government approval or binding market rule

Research this identity at the source

FDA Global Substance Registration System

UNII identifiers, preferred names, substance types, codes and public substance relationships

Identity registry only; UNII availability does not imply FDA review or approval

Research this identity at the source

ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards

Hazards, symptoms, first aid, storage, incompatibilities and physical properties for covered chemicals

International occupational chemical-safety reference; not cosmetic-use approval

Research this identity at the source

Japan NITE-CHRIP

Chemical identity, Japanese and foreign legal lists, GHS hazards and exposure-related information

Chemical-management evidence; cosmetic status remains governed by the applicable MHLW standard and market rules

Research this identity at the source

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

REL, PEL, IDLH, properties, exposure routes, symptoms, target organs, first aid and measurement methods for covered workplace chemicals

US occupational-health guidance and limits; not a cosmetic ingredient decision

Research this identity at the source

OECD eChemPortal

Gateway to authority-owned physical-property, fate, ecotoxicity, toxicity, exposure and GHS records

Discovery gateway; each linked authority remains responsible for its data

Research this identity at the source

US EPA CompTox CTX APIs

API key required for import

DTXSID identity, experimental and predicted properties, toxicity, bioactivity, exposure and environmental data

Scientific and computational evidence; predictions must remain labelled and do not determine cosmetic legality

Research this identity at the source