SCCS finds cosmetic antifungal agent safe against endocrine disrupting properties
09 Jun 2023 --- The European Commission’s (EC) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has published its preliminary opinion on methylparaben after considering the concerns related to potential endocrine activity of the antifungal agent.
Based on the safety assessment of the ingredient, it has been deemed safe when used as a preservative in cosmetic products up to a maximum concentration of 0.4% (as acid) when used on its own and up to 0.8% (as acid) for mixtures of esters.
Methylparaben is used as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care products.Methylparaben is one of the substances for which the EC carried out a public call for data to determine endocrine-disrupting properties. The ingredient has a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity and is effective against yeasts and molds.
After carrying out various exposure and toxicological assessments, the SCCS has preliminarily deemed it safe, within limits mentioned above, and is now calling for industry comments until August 21.
Ingredient safety
The EC has also asked the SCCS to perform a safety assessment of CBD in cosmetic products, including the THC trace levels or other hemp and cannabis-derived ingredients. As there is limited available information on the safety of cosmetics containing CBD, manufacturers, ingredient producers and industry members have till the end of September to submit their responses to fill in the knowledge gap.
Recently, the SCCS evaluated the safety of coloring agent HC Blue 18 (Colipa No. B122) for hair dyes. The committee advised using the chemical as an ingredient in non-oxidative hair dye formulations up to a maximum on-head concentration of 0.35% and flagged it as a “moderate sensitizer.”
Moreover, the committee’s final opinion on using hydroxyapatite (nano) in oral cosmetic products was proven safe when used at concentrations of up to 10% in toothpaste and up to 0.465% in mouthwash. The SCCS notes that hydroxyapatite (nano) can be used in skin care products at up to 5% concentrations.
Edited by Radhika Sikaria
