Aluminum Acetate Solution
What Is It?
In cosmetics and personal care products, Aluminum Acetate and Aluminum Acetate Solution are used in the formulation of skin care products.
Why Is It Used?
Aluminum Acetate induces a tightening or tingling sensation of the skin. It also draws together or constricts body tissues which are effective in stopping the flow of blood or other secretions.
Scientific Facts
Aluminum Acetate is produced from acetic acid, which is the compound that gives vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell, and aluminum, a common element that is approved by the FDA for many food contact uses. Aluminum Acetate is available as a neutral salt, aluminum triacetate, which is used at a concentration of 5% to produce Aluminum Acetate Solution.
Safety Information
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits the use of Aluminum Aceate as an active ingredient in Over-the-Counter (OTC) skin protectantAn ingredient that temporarily protects injured or exposed skin from harmful or annoying stimuli, and that may provide relief to such skin. In the United States, skin protectants are regulated as Over-The-Counter (OTC) drug ingredients. drug products. Aluminum Acetate is also approved for use as an indirect food additiveIndirect food additives are additives that may become part of the food in trace amounts due to its packaging, storage or other handling. For example, minute amounts of packaging substances may find their way into foods during storage.. The Cosmetic Ingredient ReviewThe Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) was established in 1976 as an independent safety review program for cosmetic ingredients. The CIR Expert Panel consists of independent experts in dermatology, toxicology, pharmacolgy and veterinary medicine. The CIR includes participation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the Consumer Federation of America. (CIR) has deferred evaluation of this ingredient because the safety has been assessed by FDA. This deferral of review is according to the provisions of the CIR Procedures.
FDA allows Aluminum Acetate to be used as an astringent active ingredient at concentrations of 0.13 to 0.5% in OTC skin protectant products.
Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Aluminum Acetate
- http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…
- http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…
- http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…
More information about aluminum.
Aluminum Acetate may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European UnionUnder the general provisions of the cosmetics regulation of the EU, ingredients appearing on the following function-specific annexes must comply with the listed restrictions and/or specifications: colorants (Annex IV), preservatives (Annex V), UV filters (Annex VI) and other ingredients with specific concentration limits and/or other restrictions (Annex III). Ingredients specifically prohibited from use in cosmetic products are listed in Annex II. Other ingredients listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient database (CosIng) may be used without restrictions..
Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation:
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_p…
More Scientific Information
Aluminum Acetate is an organic salt. Aluminum Acetate Solution is prepared from a dry mix containing an alkali metal acetate, acetic acid, and a dibasic aluminum acetate stabilized with boric acid. In cosmetics and personal care products, Aluminum Acetate functions as an astringent in personal care and OTC drug products.
Resources
Find out more about the regulation of over-the-counter drugs by the Food and Drug Administration
OTC Drug Home Page: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSa…
Information about OTC Drug monographs: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/over-counter-otc-drug-monograph-process
Find out more about the regulation of Food Additives by the Food and Drug Administration
Food Ingredients and Packaging: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/default.htm
Food Contact Substances: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/PackagingFCS/defaul…
Substances Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS): http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/default.htm
Search the Code of Federal Regulations http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm
EU Cosmetics Inventory http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/