Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics

Int J Toxicol. 2024 Apr;43(2_suppl):5S-69S. doi: 10.1177/10915818241227124. Epub 2024 Jan 27.

Abstract

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of 27 inorganic and organometallic zinc salts as used in cosmetic formulations; these salts are specifically of the 2+ (II) oxidation state cation of zinc. These ingredients included in this report have various reported functions in cosmetics, including hair conditioning agents, skin conditioning agents, cosmetic astringents, cosmetic biocides, preservatives, oral care agents, buffering agents, bulking agents, chelating agents, and viscosity increasing agents. The Panel reviewed the relevant data for these ingredients, and concluded that these 27 ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be non-irritating.

Keywords: Cosmetics; Safety; Zinc Acetate; Zinc Ascorbate; Zinc Ascorbate Hydroxide; Zinc Aspartate; Zinc Carbonate Zinc Carbonate Hydroxide; Zinc Chloride; Zinc Chloride Hydroxide; Zinc Citrate; Zinc Cysteinate; Zinc Gluconate; Zinc Glutamate; Zinc Glycinate; Zinc Hexametaphosphate; Zinc Hydroxide; Zinc Lactate; Zinc Laurate; Zinc Myristate; Zinc Neodecanoate; Zinc Nitrate; Zinc Palmitate; Zinc Phosphate; Zinc Ricinoleate; Zinc Salicylate; Zinc Stearate; Zinc Sulfate; Zinc Undecylenate.

MeSH terms

  • Chelating Agents / toxicity
  • Consumer Product Safety
  • Cosmetics* / toxicity
  • Dermatologic Agents*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Salts

Substances

  • Salts
  • Cosmetics
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Chelating Agents