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 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) 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 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_packaging/co0013_en.htm
More Scientific Information
Borosilicate glasses are also used in the manufacture of laboratory glassware and household cooking ware.
Resources
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/