is BPA harmful in color cosmetics?

Color and makeup

is BPA harmful in color cosmetics?

Posted by MarkHkang on March 10, 2015 at 3:05 pm

Hello, I am working on some of the color changing pigments in nail polish.

One of the ingredients in these pigments is Bisphenol A.

So because this pigments contain BPA, our regulatory personal keeps insisting that we can’t use that pigments and wants to shut down this project totally. But i know that European Food Safety Authority has concluded that BPA poses no risks to consumers. http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Regulation-Safety/EFSA-says-Bisphenol-A-poses-no-health-risk-to-consumers. 

But it also says that “BPA was banned from use as an ingredient in cosmetic products in 2006.”

So does this mean I can’t use it or not? I am confused.

I can’t any other find information about BPA regulations in cosmetics. If anyone can give insights, it will be greatly appreciated.

Please help me with legitimate links and references.

Thank you all.

Best,

Mark

MarkHkang replied 9 years, 1 month ago 4 Members · 9 Replies
9 Replies

Bill_Toge

Member
March 10, 2015 at 5:01 pm

Bisphenol A is banned under Annex II/1176 (it’s classed as a category 2 reprotoxin), so you cannot legally use it in cosmetics:

http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.details_v2&id=29395

the EFSA came to their conclusion about the use of BPA in plastics because consumer exposure to it is very low - it remains within the plastic, and does not come into contact with food or drink

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/150121.htm
Bobzchemist

Member
March 10, 2015 at 6:28 pm

@MarkHkang,

Bisphenol A is a plasticizer/antioxidant, not a pigment. It has no color. At all. On top of that, it’s soluble in a bunch of different chemicals, so that makes it doubly not a pigment.

Whoever your pigment supplier is is likely selling you pigment chips - pigment mixed with a resin which uses BPA as a plasticizer/antioxidant. You should be able to get the same pigment/resin mix made with a cosmetically acceptable plasticizer/antioxidant instead.

Let us know more details, and we will try to come up with a solution for you.
MarkHkang

Member
March 11, 2015 at 2:05 pm

Thank you @Bill_Toge and @Bobzchemist for your words.

In the past we tried to develop color changing nail polish such as Thermochromic and Photochromic. However, they all contained ingredients not allowed so that the project was turned down.

Now we are trying to revive this project again as we see there are thermochromic nail polish in the market. Hopefully they are selling it legally.

Do you know such a vendor who provides these pigments?
belassi

Member
March 11, 2015 at 4:58 pm

http://www.amazon.com/Thermochromic-Pigment-Changes-Color-Temperature/dp/B009E9NH5S
MarkHkang

Member
March 11, 2015 at 5:23 pm

@Belassi

are these legit? I have seen them online. They don’t even have their website.
belassi

Member
March 11, 2015 at 9:19 pm

It’s got 19 user reviews. Here’s the Facebook page. It’s only $30 after all…
Bobzchemist

Member
March 12, 2015 at 3:53 pm

This one specifically mentions BPA-Free:

http://www.qcrsolutions.com/Site/Thermochromic_Pigments,_Inks,_and_Plastics___QCR_Solutions_Corp.html

Or, check with these folks:

http://olikrom.com/en/olikrom-products/thermochromic-pigments/

http://www.chromazone.co.uk/
Bobzchemist

Member
March 12, 2015 at 3:56 pm

Please be aware that none of these are FDA-compliant colorants.

On the other hand, many nail-polish manufacturers claim that they are not subject to FDA colorant regulations, since their products do not contact the skin. Hence their use of things like glitter, and neon pigments, among others.

Personally, I wouldn’t take the risk.
MarkHkang

Member
March 12, 2015 at 5:20 pm

@Bobzchemist

Thank you.

I will definitely take a look and have our regulatory person review their products.

Really appreciate it