Beauty Product Ingredients Under Scrutiny: Experts Clarify Safety Concerns

Social media has recently been abuzz with warnings about two common ingredients found in BB creams and other cosmetic products. Users have expressed concern that Octinoxate and Titanium Dioxide in Breeze Balm products may disrupt hormones and cause health problems.

BB Cream, short for “Beauty” or “Blemish” Balm, has gained popularity as a multifunctional skincare and makeup product that protects skin from sun damage while covering imperfections like redness and pigmentation.

The viral claims circulating on platforms like Facebook specifically target Breeze Balm products, suggesting their formulation includes potentially harmful ingredients. However, a closer examination of scientific evidence and regulatory positions reveals a more nuanced reality.

Octinoxate, also known as Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, is primarily used in sunscreens to absorb UV-B rays. It’s also common in BB creams, foundations, lip balms, and various moisturizing products. While some reports have linked this ingredient to hormone disruption, regulatory bodies have consistently deemed it safe at approved concentrations.

According to information from the Cosmetic Ingredient Safety panel, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved octinoxate for use in sunscreens and moisturizing products. Though the FDA requested additional safety research in 2019, by 2021 they had clarified that octinoxate remains safe for cosmetic use, allowing products containing it to remain on the market.

Internationally, the European Union permits octinoxate as a UV filter in sunscreens at concentrations up to 10%. Similarly, Canada, Australia, and Japan have all approved it as a safe and effective sunscreen ingredient within their regulatory frameworks.

The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), which evaluates ingredients for safety within the EU, has acknowledged that Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate can interact with certain hormonal processes. Despite this finding, they concluded it remains safe for use in sunscreens, creams, and lipsticks at concentrations up to 10%. The SCCS specifically noted these products are safe even for children, who may have higher exposure relative to body weight.

Titanium Dioxide, the second ingredient mentioned in the claims, is primarily used in its nano form in sunscreens and other cosmetic products. According to the National Institute of Health, it serves as an effective barrier against UV radiation, helping prevent sunburn and skin cancer.

Earlier concerns about nano-particles of titanium dioxide potentially penetrating the skin and entering the bloodstream have been largely addressed by scientific research. Studies have consistently shown that these particles remain on the outer skin layer and do not reach the bloodstream in significant quantities.

The SCCS has determined that titanium dioxide does not cause allergies, serious irritation, cancer, or reproductive harm when used topically at concentrations up to 25%. However, they do recommend against using it in spray or powder formulations that could potentially be inhaled.

The cosmetics industry has responded to consumer concerns about chemical ingredients by offering more transparency about formulations and developing alternative products for those seeking different options. Many brands now highlight when their products are free of specific ingredients that have raised public concern, though often these marketing claims go beyond what scientific evidence suggests is necessary for safety.

Dermatologists generally advise that consumers with specific skin sensitivities should patch-test products containing these ingredients, but emphasize that regulatory approval indicates a reasonable safety profile for the general population when used as directed.

After reviewing the available scientific evidence and regulatory positions, fact-checkers have determined the viral claims about Octinoxate and Titanium Dioxide in Breeze Balm products are false. Both ingredients are approved for cosmetic use by major regulatory bodies worldwide and do not render the products harmful when used according to guidelines.