UK SAG-CS Publishes Opinions on Butylated Hydroxytoluene and Kojic Acid

In the UK, the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-Food and Non-Medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS) is acknowledged as the counterpart of EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). It assesses the chemical and biological risks of non-food and non-medicinal consumer products, including cosmetic products and their ingredients, and offers scientific opinions to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). Recently, SAG-CS has published two opinions on the use of Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Kojic Acid in cosmetic products.^1-2

On the other hand, in December 2021 and March 2022, SCCS released scientific opinions respectively on BHT and Kojic Acid. When comparing these opinions with those of SAG-CS, there are some differences. Specifically,

Concerning BHT, comparing with SCCS, SAG-CS takes additional measures by establishing individual safe concentration limits for topical leave-on oral care products, and does not consider this ingredient to show endocrine activity evidence based on the available data;
In terms of Kojic Acid, SAG-CS' opinion focuses on its use in face and hand creams, while the SCCS' opinion pertains to Kojic Acid as a skin lightening agent in cosmetic products. Besides, the SAG-CS' opinion concludes that Kojic Acid does not meet the criteria of an endocrine disrupting chemical in vivo according to the WHO/IPCS (2002) definition, taking into consideration the exposure levels experienced by the majority of the population through cosmetic use at the specified level.

A detailed comparison between the opinions of SAG-CS and SCCS can be found in the table below.

Ingredient

SAG-CS Opinions

SCCS Opinions

BHT
(CAS No. 128-37-0)

a. BHT is safe for use at the following maximum concentrations:

- 0.001% in mouthwash, and topical leave-on oral care products;

- 0.1% in toothpaste;

- 0.8% in hydroalcoholic-based fragrances (spray and non-spray), rinse-off skin and hair cleansing products, leave-on skin and hair products, and face make-up products.

b. BHT is not considered to show endocrine activity evidence based on the available data.

a. Considering the concerns related to its potential endocrine disrupting properties, BHT is deemed safe when used at the following maximum concentrations:
- 0.001% in mouthwash;
- 0.1% in toothpaste;
- 0.8% in other leave-on and rinse-off products.

b. BHT is also considered safe for a combined use of mouthwash at a concentration of 0.001%, toothpaste at a concentration of 0.1% and other leave-on and rinse-off products at the concentration of 0.8%.

Kojic Acid
(CAS No. 501-30-4)

a. Kojic Acid is safe for use at a maximum concentration of 1% in face cream (including those for application to the neck) and hand cream.

b. Kojic Acid is not considered as an endocrine disrupting chemical in vivo according to the WHO/IPCS (2002) definition, taking into consideration the exposure levels experienced by the majority of the population through cosmetic use at the specified level.

Considering the concerns related to its potential endocrine disrupting properties, Kojic Acid is considered safe when used as a skin lightening agent in cosmetic products at concentrations of up to 1%.

UK SAG-CS Publishes Opinions on Butylated Hydroxytoluene and Kojic Acid

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