Ingredient

CI 77891

Name / description

CI 77891; Titanium Dioxide

Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

COLORANT

Colours cosmetic products, skin, nails and / or hair

Origin

mineral

Occurrence in cosmetics

As a white pigment in many decorative cosmetics

Occurrence in other products

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

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. Colourants ensure an appealing appearance of the cosmetic product and serve for the embellishment of the skin and hair. The most frequently used colourants are synthetic; only a few natural substances are available. For colourants, the applicable INCI names are in most cases the so-called Colour Index Numbers, the "CI Numbers".

Information on safe use

According to the EC Cosmetics Regulation [Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009], which applies to the entire EU market, colourants are defined as substances which are exclusively or mainly intended to colour the cosmetic product, the body as a whole or certain parts thereof, by absorption or reflection of physical light. Annex IV of the Regulation defines the substances which may be used as colourants in cosmetic products. In this positive list of colourants maximum concentrations are defined in part for the use of these substances in cosmetic products as well as the permitted areas of application. Hair colourants are currently still separately regulated in the EC Cosmetics legislation. In future it is planned to include them also into Annex IV. Colourants are examined prior to their authorisation in Annex IV selectively for their toxicological safety and subjected to extensive tests. The manufacturers must prove the health safety in extensive scientific studies. Moreover, the approved colorants are reassessed and the list is updated accordingly in line with new scientific findings and in the event of suspected adverse events evident from market surveillance.

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

Further information

Concerning titanium dioxide as a UV filter, see the INCI names TITANIUM DIOXIDE and TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NANO)

Belongs to the following substance groups

Dyes / Pigments

Regulating cosmetics

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

Understanding your cosmetics

How are cosmetics kept safe in Europe?

Strict laws make sure that cosmetics and personal care products sold in the European Union are safe for people to use. Companies, national and European regulatory authorities share the responsibility of keeping cosmetic products safe.

What should I know about endocrine disruptors?

Some ingredients used in cosmetic products have been claimed to be ‘endocrine disruptors’ because they have the potential to mimic some of the properties of our hormones. Just because something has the potential to mimic a hormone does not mean it will disrupt our endocrine system. Many substances, including natural ones, mimic hormones but very few, and these are mostly potent medicines, have ever been shown to cause disruption of the endocrine system. The rigorous product safety assessments by qualified, scientific experts that companies are legally obliged to carry out cover all potential risks, including potential endocrine disruption.

Are cosmetics tested on animals? No!

In the European Union, testing cosmetics on animals has been fully banned since 2013. Over the last 30 years, long before a ban was in place, the cosmetics and personal care industry has invested in research and development to pioneer alternatives to animal testing tools to assess the safety of cosmetics ingredients and products.

What about allergens in cosmetics?

Many substances, natural or man-made, have the potential to cause an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to substances that are harmless to most people. A substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. Cosmetics and personal care products may contain ingredients that can be allergenic for some people. This does not mean that the product is not safe for others to use.

Database

Cosmetics matter to people and play an important role in our everyday life. On average European consumers use over seven different cosmetics daily. You too? It’s only natural that you want to know more about the ingredients in those products.

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This database will help you understand why certain ingredients are in your cosmetic products; which properties they have and much more. The database is currently available in fourteen languages with more to come.

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