Cod Liver Oil
What Is It?
Cod Liver Oil is a pale yellow oily liquid. In cosmetics and personal care products, Cod Liver Oil is used in the formulation of body and hand products and other skin care products.
Why Is It Used?
Cod Liver Oil slows the loss of water from the skin by forming a barrier on the skin’s surface. It also temporarily protects injured or exposed skin from harmful or annoying stimuli, and may provide relief to the skin.
Scientific Facts
Cod Liver Oil is a naturally occurring fat produced by cod fish and is high in vitamin A and vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Safety Information
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits the use of Cod Liver Oil 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 and in anorectal drug products. 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 permits Cod Liver Oil to be used in OTC skin protectant products at concentrations of 5 to 13.56%.
Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Cod Liver Oil
- http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…
- http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…
Cod Liver Oil that complies with European regulations on animal by-products, 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
Cod Liver Oil is the fixed oil expressed from the fresh livers of Gadus morrhua and other Gadidae species of codfish. In cosmetics and personal care products, Cod Liver Oil functions as a fragrance ingredientSubstances that impart an odor to a product., skin-conditioning agent – occlusive, and skin protectant.
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
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/