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Substitutes for titanium dioxide
Hi all! Can anyone recommend a substitute for titanium dioxide for use in mineral powders (apart from zinc)? The new EU laws prohibit its use in new makeup products, and I’ve been struggling to find anything with similar properties. Mostly I need an ingredient that will provide coverage and act as a color base for other pigments.
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8 Replies
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@marymargaret Just one quick question, is this a new law that will enter into force anytime soon?
I believe you refer to TiO2 used as opacifier rather than a UV filter, right? I’m checking Cosing (european database for cosmetic ingredients), and what I found is that the only restrictions for its use is the purity criteria and the particle size (TiO2 nanoparticles shouldn’t be used in products that could lead to lung exposure by inhalation): https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.details_v2&id=97172, https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.details_v2&id=99289.
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ketchito said:@marymargaret Just one quick question, is this a new law that will enter into force anytime soon?
I believe you refer to TiO2 used as opacifier rather than a UV filter, right? I’m checking Cosing (european database for cosmetic ingredients), and what I found is that the only restrictions for its use is the purity criteria and the particle size (TiO2 nanoparticles shouldn’t be used in products that could lead to lung exposure by inhalation): https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.details_v2&id=97172, https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.details_v2&id=99289.
I’m referring to the law that came into effect beginning of October this year - I believe it’s known as Omnibus III. It prevents using TiO2 with particle size ≤ 10 μm. Here’s the link: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R0850&from=EN
And yes, I’m primarily in need of an opacifier, so far nothing I tried seems to be working very well…
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only restrictions for purity criteria
they only addColorants Further Restricted (Addition to Annex IV):
Titanium Dioxide
UV Filters Further Restricted (Addition to Annex VI):
Titanium Dioxide
https://biorius.com/regulatory/european-cosmetics-regulation-change-due-to-omnibus-iii/
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@Pattsi have you got info on ZnO safety in face powders? Appreciate if you can share links as well. Thanks
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Omnibus III limits its use in face powders to 25% w/w, if more than 1% of the particles are smaller than 10 microns - it doesn’t prohibit it
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Thank you, everyone. I now understand these laws a little better. Regardless of that, if you do have any suggestions on TiO2 substitutes, I would love to hear them! If I stay under 25% I would still need to add other ingredients as fillers, and I would prefer to keep the formula as simple as possible
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This may sound weird but you might try rice starch as a bulking agent and whitening opacifier sub for TiO2. It is inexpensive, and absorbs oils so that may lead to further weirdness - or total success.
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chemicalmatt said:This may sound weird but you might try rice starch as a bulking agent and whitening opacifier sub for TiO2. It is inexpensive, and absorbs oils so that may lead to further weirdness - or total success.
Thank you, that sounds interesting! I’ll definitely try it!
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