TITANIUM DIOXIDE

Name / description

Titanium Dioxide

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Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

FRAGRANCE FUNCTIONAL

Functional ingredient (excipient) of perfume oils and / or flavours

OPACIFYING

Reduces transparency and translucency by clouding the product

UV ABSORBER

Protects the cosmetic product from damage caused by UV light

UV FILTER

Protects skin or hair from harmful UV radiation

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Origin

mineral

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Occurrence in cosmetics

Above all as UV filter pigment in sunscreens as well as in various skincare products with UV protection, eg day creams. Also as white pigment in many decorative cosmetics.

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Occurrence in other products

Titanium dioxide is widely used as the white pigment eg in paints, coatings and plastics

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Background information on use in cosmetics

Titanium dioxide is a white inorganic (mineral) solid. In nature, titanium dioxide is widespread in the form of the minerals rutile and ilmenite. Titanium dioxide is chemically and thermally very stable (inert) and insoluble. Titanium dioxide is often coated with other substances (eg aluminium or silicone compounds) in cosmetics. This supports the improvement of the dispersibility (mixability) in the cosmetic formulations, the optimisation of the UV light absorption as well as the reduction of the photo catalytic properties. Titanium dioxide is a mineral UV-BB filter (broadband filter) which protects the skin both against UV-B and UV-A radiation and can absorb UV radiation from 280 to 400 nm. The maximum concentration is 25 % in this connection. Titanium dioxide places itself as a protecting film on the upper skin layer and scatters and absorbs the UV radiation of the sun. In this way the skin is protected against UV radiation and its harmful consequences (sunburn, DNA damage, skin ageing etc). As a result of the combination with other filter substances (soluble organic UV filters) particularly good light protection effects can be obtained. UV filters minimise the undesired effects of UV radiation on the skin and are, therefore, an important component of sunscreens. By protecting the skin against the dangerous sun radiation, they contribute towards preventing premature light-caused skin ageing and skin cancer. In this connection a distinction is made between soluble organic UV filters and those based on mineral and / or organic pigments. Whereas soluble organic UV filters absorb the UV radiation, transform it into heat and form an invisible protection shield in the upper skin layer, UV filters on the basis of pigments reflect, scatter and absorb the sun radiation already on the skin surface. Fragrances or mixtures of fragrances are often referred to in the cosmetics area as "perfuming agents" or "perfume oils" or "parfum oils". On the cosmetic products they are declared with the INCI name "PARFUM". These are undiluted individual substances or their mixtures which originate from natural raw materials or can be produced (semi-) synthetically. They are starting materials for the production of perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de cologne and other perfumed cosmetic products. The average content of fragrances amounts in perfume to 15-30 %, in eau de parfum to 10-14 %, in eau de toilette to 6-9 %, in eau de cologne to 3-5 % as well as in skin creams, shampoos, hair and deodorant sprays to approximately 0.2-1 % and approximately 1-3 in deodorant sticks. The perfume oils include essential oils, resinoids and absolutes. The sources are, amongst others, flowers, leaves and stems, fruits and fruit peels or roots of plants; woods, grasses or herbs, needles, resins and balsams. Moreover, only compounds isolated from natural products such as aldehydes, ketones, esters, alcohols etc. are used (geraniol, citronellal, citral, eugenol, menthol) as well as semi-synthetic (citronellol, geranyl acetate, jonone) and synthetic scents (eg phenylethyl alcohol and linalool) are used. Scents of animal origin such as musk and ambra are only rarely used.

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Information on safe use

In accordance with the EU Cosmetics Regulation [Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009], which applies to the entire EU market, UV filters are defined as substances which are exclusively or mainly intended to protect the skin against certain UV radiation by absorbing, reflecting or scattering UV radiation. Annex VI of the Regulation defines the substances which may be used in cosmetic products as UV filters. In this so-called positive list of the UV filters maximum concentrations are prescribed for the use of these substances in cosmetic products and, if necessary, additional conditions for use are defined. Prior to their approval in Annex VI, UV filters are examined selectively for their toxicological safety and subjected to comprehensive tests. The manufacturers must prove the health safety in extensive scientific studies. Moreover, the approved filters are re-assessed, if necessary on the basis of new scientific findings and in the event of possible conspicuous findings in market observation and the list is updated accordingly.

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Links to scientific assessments

Opinion of the SCCS (2013) on the safety as cosmetic ingredient

Earlier opinion of the SCCNFP (2000)

Opinion of the SCCS (2020) on the safety as cosmetic ingredient with regard to inhalation

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Why are we talking about it?

Titanium dioxide is suspected of being carcinogenic by inhalation and genotoxic by the oral route. The facts: Studies have shown that titanium dioxide is potentially carcinogenic by the respiratory route (inhalation) (2). This potential is not specific to it, as it has also been found for mineral particles of the same size. However, epidemiological data have not shown any link between exposure to titanium dioxide and the development of lung cancers in humans (3). The mechanism involved is specific to the lung area. This is why titanium dioxide has been classified at European level as a possible carcinogen by inhalation (category 2). Therefore, titanium dioxide in powder form with small particle size is not used in cosmetic products that are likely to be inhaled, such as sprays (5). The use of titanium dioxide on the skin is considered to be safe, as its skin absorption is low. Last, studies have shown the absence of carcinogenic potential by the skin route (4). Key points to take away: The use of titanium dioxide in cosmetic products, by the skin route and therefore without respiratory or oral exposure, is considered safe at the authorised concentrations (1). Sources: (1) Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009; Annex VI (2) Opinion of the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC), 2017: https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/682fac9f-5b01-86d3-2f70-3d40277a53c2 (3) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 2006: https://monographs.iarc.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/mono93.pdf (4) CLH report: Proposal for harmonised classification and labelling, 2016: https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/594bf0e6-8789-4499-b9ba-59752f4eafab (5) Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety on TiO2: https://ec.europa.eu/health/system/files/2021-11/sccs_o_238.pdf

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Further information

See also the INCI name TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NANO)

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Belongs to the following substance groups

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Regulating cosmetics

Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.