© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Product Name: Retinol (Vitamin A1)
Chemical Formula: C20H30O
Synonyms: Vitamin A alcohol, Aquasol A, Axerophthol
CAS Number: 68-26-8
Recommended Use: Nutritional additive, cosmetic ingredient, research chemical
Manufacturer Information: Details provided on supplier-specific SDS
Contact Details: Emergency telephone numbers listed by manufacturer for direct assistance
Restrictive Uses: Not intended for direct consumption in raw form or as non-regulated over-the-counter supplement
Packaging Information: Airtight, light-resistant containers to minimize degradation
Date of Preparation or Revision: Provided by the distributor and updated with regulatory changes
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, category 3), Eye irritation (category 2A), Skin irritation (category 2), Reproductive toxicity (category 1B)
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, health hazard symbols
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes skin and eye irritation, may damage unborn child
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust or vapors, wear protective gloves and eye protection, wash thoroughly after handling, do not eat or drink while using
Potential Acute Health Effects: Ingestion leads to nausea, vomiting, and headaches; skin contact can cause dermatitis; inhalation irritates respiratory tract
Potential Chronic Effects: Prolonged excessive exposure risks liver and bone toxicity, reproductive harm, teratogenicity
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, dryness of skin, irritability, blurred vision, hypercalcemia in rare chronic overdose circumstances
Chemical Name: Retinol
Concentration: 95%–100% pure retinol, trace stabilizers depending on formulation
Impurities/Inhibitors: Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, trace-level stabilizer), antioxidant carrier oils in cosmetic-grade products
Other Identified Components: None expected at hazardous concentrations in pure supplement/ingredient form
Ingredient Disclosure Threshold: All components above 0.1% are disclosed per regional regulatory requirements
Inhalation: Remove individual to fresh air, support breathing, seek medical attention if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Wash exposed area with soap and plenty of water, remove contaminated clothing, seek assistance if irritation develops
Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with water for several minutes while keeping eyelids open, consult care provider if sensation continues
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, avoid inducing vomiting, seek immediate medical advice showing product label or SDS
Most Important Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, irritation, gastrointestinal upset, visual disturbances after ingestion
Immediate Medical Attention Required: In all suspected large oral intakes, suspected occupational exposure, or ongoing symptoms, consult poison control or emergency care
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, alcohol-resistant foam; water spray may help cool containers
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water stream on burning material risks splatter or intensifies decomposition
Hazards from Combustion: Toxic fumes, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, potentially irritating aldehydes
Protective Equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective gear to prevent exposure to fumes and residues
Specific Fire Fighting Methods: Isolate site, keep upwind, use barriers to contain runoff, avoid entering confined spaces without air support
Fire/Explosion Risk: Combustible solid—dusts can form explosive mixtures with air at high concentrations
Personal Precautions: Put on gloves, goggles, and protective clothing to limit skin or eye contact, avoid breathing dust
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spill from entering drains, sewers, or soil to reduce long-term contamination risk
Containment and Clean-Up Methods: Sweep up without creating dust, transfer to labeled waste container for disposal, ventilate area post-cleanup
Decontamination: Wash any affected surfaces with detergent and plenty of water to remove traces of material
Reporting: Large spills or environmental release must be reported according to local regulations; document incident and cleanup procedures
Safe Handling: Use only in well-ventilated zones, wear protective equipment, prevent skin and eye contact, avoid inhalation or ingestion
Storage Conditions: Store in original, tightly closed container, away from light, heat, and moisture, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated spot
Compatibility: Keep away from strong oxidizing agents, acids, alkalis to prevent unwanted reactions
Special Storage Requirements: Use amber glass or opaque containers to limit photodegradation, monitor for crystallization or color change as spoilage indicators
General Hygiene: Prohibit eating, drinking, or smoking while in use, wash hands and arms thoroughly after exposure
Occupational Exposure Limits: NIOSH, OSHA, or ACGIH limits not universally established for pure retinol; observe good laboratory practice
Engineering Controls: Work inside chemical fume hoods, install local exhaust ventilation for large scale handling
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof safety goggles, laboratory coats
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved respirator recommended for dust or mists at or above nuisance threshold limits
Control of Environmental Exposure: Use closed systems wherever feasible, manage waste and spills following environmental law
Hygiene Measures: Clean clothing before reuse, avoid contact lenses with powders, maintain strict labeling and access controls
Physical State: Pale yellow to orange, crystalline powder or viscous oil, depending on grade
Odor: Mild, characteristic slightly fatty aroma
Melting Point: 62 to 64 °C (143.6 to 147.2 °F)
Boiling Point: Decomposes prior to boiling, no precise value due to instability at high heat
Flash Point: Around 100 °C (212 °F) under laboratory testing
Solubility: Practically insoluble in water, freely soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, vegetable oils
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Estimated 6.1, high lipid solubility
Viscosity: Oil form thickens at lower temperatures, thins with heat
Stability Characteristics: Sensitive to air and light, decomposes into less active forms upon exposure
Molecular Weight: 286.45 g/mol
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage, sensitive to oxygen, acids, bases, elevated temperature
Hazardous Reactions: Can react with oxidizing agents and certain solvents to produce irritating or toxic gases
Decomposition Products: Breaks down into various less-active aldehydes and acids, releases noxious vapors on burning
Incompatibilities: Avoid strong acids, alkalis, and oxidizers; photodegrades rapidly in sunlight
Polymerization: Not recognized to polymerize
Recommendation: Store sealed, protected from light and air to extend shelf life
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): 2,000 mg/kg; in humans, severe toxicity at accidental ingestion of 25,000 IU/kg
Routes of Exposure: Oral, dermal, inhalation, ocular
Skin and Eye Contact: Causes irritation, prolonged exposure increases risk of local symptoms
Ingestion/Chronic Exposure: May cause liver enlargement, bone malformation, and teratogenic effects at high or long-term doses
Reproductive Effects: Linked to birth defects in animal studies and excessive maternal intake, high fetal risk
Target Organs: Liver, central nervous system, skin, eyes
Carcinogenicity Data: Not listed by IARC, NTP, or OSHA as carcinogen; at pharmacologic doses, evaluated for potential cancer-preventive roles and contradicted at high dose
Mutagenicity: Not demonstrated in standard testing
Other Effects: Hypersensitivity reactions possible, rare skin eruptions
Ecotoxicity: At high levels, retinol exhibits toxicity to aquatic life, causing chronic symptoms in sensitive species
Persistence/Degradability: Not persistent in the environment; readily degrades via photolysis and microbial action in soil
Bioaccumulation Potential: High log Kow suggests a risk of bioaccumulation in fatty tissues of aquatic species
Mobility in Soil: Likely low, binds to sediment and organic material
Other Adverse Environmental Effects: Risk to populations near manufacturing sites includes accidental aquatic exposure, requiring monitoring
Recommendation: Protect surface water and soil, avoid bulk disposal except at licensed hazardous waste facilities
Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous organic chemical waste, incinerate in approved facility with emission controls in place
Recycling/Reuse: Do not attempt to reuse contaminated product in dietary or cosmetic applications
Container Disposal: Decontaminate containers, render packaging unusable, follow manufacturer’s instruction for industrial-sized residues
Regulatory Controls: Local and national guidelines may classify as hazardous waste—document all disposal initiatives
Precaution: Never pour into waterways, municipal drains, or landfill without explicit permission
UN Number: Not classified under hazardous materials for ground or air transport in most regions
Proper Shipping Name: Retinol or Vitamin A1; may include standard identifier as “Non-regulated chemical” except in pure, industrial bulk form
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated per ADR, IMDG, IATA in finished-product concentrations and consumer packaging
Packing Group: Not assigned unless in bulk forms requiring strict hazard management
Environmental Process Controls: Shield packaging from mechanical damage, moisture, direct sunlight and heat during transit
Special Precautions: Confirm local, national, and air-sea regulations prior to large-quantity shipment
Labeling Requirements: Symbolic hazard and precautionary statements, GHS pictograms as specified by country and region
Inventory Status: Listed on TSCA, EINECS, DSL, AICS, and relevant global chemical inventories
OSHA HazCom: Covered under Hazard Communication Standard as a hazardous chemical when handled in concentrated form
REACH: Registered under European Directives as restricted-use ingredient in certain applications
FDA Status: Approved up to specified levels in food supplementation and cosmetics; not recognized as safe for unrestricted ingestion
Other Regulatory Listings: Specific use conditions and restrictions subject to national health, safety, and hygiene agencies
Workplace Controls: Detailed records of workplace exposure, health monitoring, and training reflect best industry practice
