Titanium dioxide

INCI Name Titanium dioxide

Titanium dioxide is a very abundant mineral on earth: it is in fact the 9th most abundant chemical element in the earth's crust. It can be used in cosmetics as a UV filter or as a white colorant.

When it is a UV filter, it can be reduced in the form of nanoparticles: the CSSC approved the use of titanium dioxide in the form of nanoparticles in sun creams from 2014, in concentrations less than 25%. EC Regulation 2016/1143 of July 2016 freed the use of Titanium dioxide in this form in cosmetics. Titanium Dioxide reduced to the size of nanoparticles is authorized in Organic, and makes it possible to eliminate the unsightly whitish effect caused by this mineral filter when it is used in its micrometric state, that is to say in its original size. Please note, however, that the manufacturer is required to mention (NANO) or [NANO] next to the name of the ingredient in the INCI list, when this is the case.

In 2006, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified titanium dioxide TiO2 in the group of substances "possible carcinogens in humans" when inhaled regardless of the size. In the case of cosmetics, the study does not mention the risk if absorbed through the skin