Aluminum Acetate

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 protectant drug products. Aluminum Acetate is also approved for use as an indirect food additive. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (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

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 Union.

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/