Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel says hair smoothing ingredients ‘safe’

Published: 11-Mar-2011
Regulatory Hair Care

Formaldehyde and methylene glycol given safety nod for this usage


The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, an independent, non-profit body of scientific and medical experts that assesses the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics in the US, has reached a tentative conclusion on the safety of formaldehyde and methylene glycol as they are used in cosmetics and in professional use hair products such as straightening and smoothing products.

The panel has reaffirmed its conclusion that formaldehyde and methylene glycol are safe in cosmetic products when formulated to ensure use at the minimal effective concentration and reiterated that amounts used in formulations should not exceed 0.2% measured as free formaldehyde.

However the CIR Expert Panel said it could not conclude “that formaldehyde and methylene glycol is safe in cosmetic products intended to be aerosolized or in which formaldehyde or methylene glycol vapour or gas will be produced under conditions of use”.


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