Amended Safety Assessment of Naturally-Sourced Clays as Used in Cosmetics

Abstract

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of 8 naturally-sourced clay ingredients, of which 6 were previously reviewed, as used in cosmetic formulations. All of these ingredients are reported to function in cosmetics as absorbents and bulking agents; other cosmetic functions are also reported. The Panel reviewed all relevant data and concluded that Kaolin is safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment. The remaining 7 naturally-sourced clay ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration, with the exception that the available data are insufficient to make a determination that these ingredients are safe in products that may be incidentally inhaled.

Keywords

Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety Safety Cosmetics Attapulgite Bentonite Clay Fuller’s Earth Hectorite Illite Kaolin Montmorillonite

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