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Editor's note: This article was originally published on December 18, 2023, and was updated on April 8, 2024, as per the latest developments.
On April 4, 2024, EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published the finalized opinion on the safety of Aluminium (Al).1 Compared to the preliminary opinion released in December 2023, the final version includes additional non-spray product categories where the use of Al compounds is considered safe, as outlined below:
No. | Product Type | Al Concentrations in Products |
1 | Other products with and without antiperspirant | 2.8% |
2 | Shaving products | 0.094% |
3 | Nail varnish | 3.618% |
4 | Eye contour products | 1.29% |
5 | Sun cream / lotion | 1.3% |
6 | Hair color and perms | 0.002% |
7 | Lip care products: lip balm | 0.606% |
8 | Other products - Decoloration | 5.01% |
9 | Other products - Oxidative coloration | 0.12% |
Preliminary opinion released in December 2023
On December 15, 2023, EU SCCS released a new opinion on Al's use in cosmetics. This opinion is open for comments until February 16, 2024.2
Al and its compounds are commonly used in cosmetics such as deodorants, antiperspirants, lipsticks, and toothpaste. Currently, several Al compounds are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Cosmetics Regulation). In order to prioritize the protection of human health, SCCS has previously assessed the potential risks of Al in cosmetics three times, progressively refining conclusions in SCCS/1613/19, SCCS/1626/20, and SCCS/1644/22. After the release of the latest SCCS opinion on Al in February 2023, the European Commission received additional information on the use concentrations of Al compounds in cosmetics. Consequently, the Commission mandated SCCS to evaluate the submitted information, and review the conclusions from prior opinions.
Based on the safety assessment, SCCS updates the use concentrations of Al compounds in cosmetics, affirming their safety when used:
in non-sprayable products at the maximum levels indicated in the table below;
in sprayable products at the maximum levels indicated in the table below, provided that the particles/droplets with a diameter of less than 10 μm do not exceed 20% of the total quantity of aerosolised particles/droplets;
in talc up to a level of 2%, as Al is not bioavailable from talc.
| No. | Product as Labelled in the Model | Al Concentrations in Products |
1 | After Shave | 2.15% |
2 | Bar Soap | 4% |
3 | Body Lotion | 3.81% |
4 | Body Spray | 1.18% |
5 | Deo Roll-on – Gel | 6.18% |
6 | Deo Roll-on – Roll-on | 5.63% |
7 | Deo Roll-on – Stick | 7.73% |
8 | Deo Roll-on – Wipes | 0.00% |
9 | Deo Spray – Anti-perspirant | 3.24% |
10 | Deo Spray – Pump | 4.88% |
11 | Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette | 0.05% |
12 | Eye Shadow | 43.31% |
13 | Eye Liner | 15.76% |
14 | Face Moisturizer | 10.59% |
15 | Hair Spray | 0.15% |
16 | Hair Styling | 6.7% |
17 | Hand Cream | 0.86% |
18 | Lipstick | 14.62% |
19 | Liquid Hand Soap | 0.89% |
20 | Liquid Makeup Foundation | 23% |
21 | Makeup Remover | 10.59% |
22 | Mascara | 3.13% |
23 | Mouthwash | 0.00% |
24 | Rinse-off Conditioner | 7.14% |
25 | Shampoo | 7.14% |
26 | Shower Gel | 0.89% |
27 | Toothpaste | 3.18% |
Notes: The figures in red indicates changes to the opinion SCCS/1644/22. | ||
Further Reading
EU Adopts 11 Changes to the Use Requirements for Cosmetic Ingredients
EU Amends the Use Requirements for 13 Nanomaterials in Cosmetics
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