Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate

What Is It?

Calcium Sodium Borosilicate and Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate are types of borosilicate glasses that may be used in cosmetics and personal care products in the form of flakes. These ingredients are predominantly used in makeup and nail polish products.

Why Is It Used?

In cosmetics and personal care products, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate and Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate function as bulking agents.

Scientific Facts

Borosilicate glass compounds, including Calcium Sodium Borosilicate and Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, consist of a network of silicate tetrahedral anions and metal cations. Borosilicate compounds are chemically unreactive and poorly soluble in water.

Safety Information

The safety of Calcium Sodium Borosilicate and Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that these ingredients were safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products.

CIR Safety Review:

The CIR Expert Panel has previously reviewed related ingredients such as silica, magnesium aluminum silicate, aluminum calcium silicate, and other silicate compounds. These silicate ingredients were determined to be safe as used in cosmetic and personal care products.

Based on data on the related silicate ingredients, and data indicating that products containing Calcium Sodium Borosilicate were not eye or skin irritants or dermal sensitizers, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that Calcium Sodium Borosilicate and Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate were safe as used in cosmetic products. Calcium Sodium Borosilicate and Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_packaging/co0013_en.htm

More Scientific Information

Borosilicate glasses are also used in the manufacture of laboratory glassware and household cooking ware.