Calcium Oxide

What Is It?

Calcium Oxide and Magnesium Oxide are white powders. In cosmetics and personal care products, Calcium Oxide is used in cleansing products, hair straighteners and skin care products. Magnesium Oxide is used in bath, hair and skin care products.

Why Is It Used?

Calcium Oxide and Magnesium Oxide are used as pH adjusters. Magnesium Oxide is also used as an ingredient to absorb or soak up liquids, and as an opacifying agent in skin make-up for hiding blemishes.

Scientific Facts

Calcium Oxide and Magnesium Oxide are minerals. Magnesium Oxide, or magnesia, is a white solid mineral that occurs naturally as periclase and is a source of magnesium. Calcium Oxide, also known as lime or quicklime, is obtained from limestone.

Safety Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes Calcium Oxide and Magnesium Oxide on its list of direct food substances affirmed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). Magnesium Oxide is also an approved ingredient for Over-the-Counter (OTC) antacid drug products. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has deferred evaluation of Calcium Oxide and Magnesium Oxide because the safety has been assessed by FDA. This deferral of review is according to the provisions of the CIR Procedures.

Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Magnesium Oxide http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…

Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Calcium Oxide http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…

Calcium Oxide and Magnesium Oxide may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in the 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

Calcium Oxide and Magnesium Oxide are inorganic oxides. They are made up of one atom metal ion (calcium or magnesium) bound to one atom of oxygen. Calcium and Magnesium Oxide functions a pH adjusters. Magnesium Oxide also functions as an absorbent and an opacifying agent.

Resources

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

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

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/