Diatomaceous Earth

What Is It?

Diatomaceous Earth is a mineral material consisting chiefly of the siliceous fragments of various species of fossilized remains of diatoms. In cosmetics and personal care products, Diatomaceous Earth may be used in the formulation of bath products, soaps and detergents, cleansing products, face powders, foundations and skin care preparations.

Why Is It Used?

Diatomaceous Earth functions as an abrasiveIngredients used for abrading, smoothing or polishing, such as emery or pumice., absorbentIngredients that have the capacity to absorb or soak up liquids., anticaking agentIngredients or processing aids that prevent powdered or granular substances from forming clumps., bulking agentNon-reactive, solid ingredients that are used to dilute other solids, or to increase the volume of a product. and as an opacifying agentSubstances that reduce the clear or transparent appearance of cosmetic products. Some opacifying agents are used in skin make-up for hiding blemishes..

Scientific Facts

Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring chalk-like sedimentary rook that is easily crumbled into a white to off-white powder. The powder has an abrasive feel. Diatomaceous Earth typically contains 86% silica, 5% sodium, 3% magnesium and 2% iron.

Safety Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits Diatomaceous Earth to be used 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.. It is permitted for use in the manufacture of phenolic resins used in some food contact surfaces and as a colorantIngredients that impart color to cosmetic products. In the United States, the FDA regulates which colorants may be used in cosmetics. for food contact polymers. The FDA includes Diatomaceous Earth on its list of substances migrating to food from paper and paperboard products considered Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS“GRAS” is an acronym for the phrase Generally Recognized As Safe. Under sections 201(s) and 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act), any substance that is intentionally added to food is a food additive, that is subject to premarket review and approval by FDA, unless the substance is generally recognized, among qualified experts, as having been adequately shown to be safe under the conditions of its intended use, or unless the use of the substance is otherwise excluded from the definition of a food additive.).

FDA: Link to Code of Federal Regulations for Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth 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

Diatomaceous Earth may also be called diatomite. Because Diatomaceous Earth is formed from the remains of diatoms which live in water, it is found close to current or former bodies of water. Diatomaceous Earth is divided into categories based on its source; freshwater and saltwater. Freshwater Diatomaceous Earth, mined from dry lakebeds, is generally low in crystalline silica content. Saltwater Diatomaceous Earth, contains higher levels of crystalline silica and is used for pool filters.

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/default.htm

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/