SCCS publishes preliminary opinion on the safe use of aluminum in cosmetic products

On 15 December 2023, the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published a preliminary opinion on the safety of aluminium in cosmetic products.

Some background

Aluminium (Al) and Al compounds are used in cosmetic products, in particular in deodorants, antiperspirants, lipsticks, and  toothpaste. In 2013 the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety (VKM) was mandated to evaluate the potential risk to human health from the presence of aluminium in cosmetics. In 2016, the industry submitted a new safety dossier, which was adopted in 2020. The SCCS concluded that aluminium compounds are safe when used in non-sprayable product categories and sprayable products, provided the percentage of particles/droplets with a diameter of less than 10 μm does not exceed 20% of the total aerosolized particles/droplets.

About the SCCS opinion

The SCCS states that aluminium compounds are safe when used in non-sprayable product categories at maximum levels, and in sprayable products at maximum levels, provided that the percentage of particles/droplets with a diameter of less than 10 μm does not exceed 20% of the total aerosolized particles/droplets. However, this opinion does not cover sunscreen aerosol sprays, and aluminium is not bioavailable from talc up to a level of 2%.Comments Deadline for comments

The preliminary opinion is open for public comment until 16 February 2024.