Ingredient

O-PHENYLPHENOL

Name / description

o-Phenylphenol; Biphenyl-2-ol

Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

PRESERVATIVE

Protects cosmetic products from microbial spoilage

Origin

synthetic

Information on safe use

In accordance with the EC Cosmetics Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009), which applies to the entire EU market, preservatives means substances which are exclusively or mainly intended to inhibit the development of microorganisms in the cosmetic product. Annex V of the Regulation defines the substances which may be used as preservatives in cosmetic products. In this so-called positive list of preservatives, maximum concentrations are defined for the use of these substances in cosmetic products as well as the permissible uses. Preservatives are examined in respect of their toxicological safety prior to their approval in Annex V and undergo extensive tests. Manufacturers must prove the health safety in extensive scientific studies.

Links to scientific assessments

SCCS opinion on o-phenylphenol (2015)

Why are we talking about it?

Ortho-phenylphenol (OPP) is suspected of being an endocrine disruptor. The facts: In vitro studies show that OPP has a very weak effect on oestrogens (1 to 10 million times lower than the female reference hormone). This effect is not confirmed in vivo. No effect on other hormones has been demonstrated. Endocrine disruption is a recent concept, which explains why there are more in vitro data, which are quicker and easier to produce, than in vivo data. It is common for in vivo data to contradict in vitro data. A good example is soya, which contains molecules which mimic oestrogens but do not cause any effect in humans. OPP has been evaluated by several expert committees (European, French, plus US environmental agencies) (1, 2, 3), which have validated its safety at authorised concentrations. 19,000 jars of face cream would have to be applied per day every day to exceed the most restrictive no-effect dose (57 kg woman, average weight). Key points to take away: Like for all preservatives, the use of OPP in cosmetic products is highly regulated. Its use at authorised concentrations is considered safe by European experts. Sources: (1) Opinion SCCS/1555/15, June 2015: https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_177.pdf (2) ANSES/ex-AFSSA-AFSSET: Profil toxicologique de l’o-phénylphénol (OPP), May 2014: https://www.anses.fr/fr/system/files/CHIM2009sa0331Ra-01-An02.pdf (3) USA EPA: Toxicology Disciplinary Chapter for the Re-Registration Eligibility Decision for 2-Phenylphenol and Salts (Orthophenylphenol or OPP), 2006

Further information

For the clarification of a suspicion of a contact allergy this substance can be routinely tested in the epicutaneous test at the dermatologist.

Belongs to the following substance groups

Preservatives

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.

In the digital world we live in, there’s a deluge of information on cosmetics. However, it can be difficult to know which sources are reliable. COSMILE Europe is a European cosmetic ingredient database that offers reliable, verified and scientifically supported information on almost 30,000 ingredients used in cosmetics.

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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