Ingredient
OXALIC ACID
Name / description
Oxalic Acid
Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products
CHELATING
Binds metal ions which could negatively affect the stability and / or appearance of cosmetics
Origin
synthetic
Background information on use in cosmetics
Fruit acids (INCI: eg CITRIC ACID or OXALIC ACID) become increasingly popular in cosmetic products and application. They make skin flakes and rough areas disappear, the skin becomes smoother and fine lines and wrinkles are reduced. In higher concentrations fruit acids dissolve the bonds of the increasingly accumulated dead skin cells of the stratus corneum and hence support their shedding. The natural new cell formation is indirectly promoted and supported and the elasticity of the skin is improved. In the event of oily skin fruit acids prevent the formation of spots and skin impurities. In this way the skin texture is altogether refined, the skin appears clearer and fresher. Fruit acids are added in low concentrations to some creams. They are for instance obtained from lemons, grapes or apples or synthetically produced. The use of fruit acids should be precisely adapted to the skin texture. The sensitive skin can, for instance, have an irritant reaction and not every skin tolerates an excessively frequent application of highly concentrated products. This is why the products available on the market today are particularly carefully selected in terms of concentration of the active ingredients and / or the adjustment of the pH value. After the application of higher concentrated fruit acid products, sun protection is important. A corresponding reference is to be found on the products.
Information on safe use
This substance is expressly approved and / or subject to a restriction as a result of an entry in Annex III of the EC Cosmetics Regulation after an assessment by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety of the EU Commission (SCCS). Restrictions can relate eg to purity criteria, a maximum concentration or the restriction to certain product categories. Subject to the conditions possibly imposed in Annex III, the use of this substance in cosmetic products is safe.
Belongs to the following substance groups
Regulating cosmetics
Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.