Research — Safety

Research Summary: This assessment focuses on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and on anionic or nonionic PEG derivatives, which are currently used in cosmetics in Europe. These compounds are employed in a variety of cosmetic applications due to their solubility, viscosity properties, and low toxicity. PEGs, their ethers, and their fatty acid esters cause little to no ocular or dermal irritation and exhibit extremely low acute and chronic toxicities. They do not readily penetrate intact skin, and considering the widespread use of preparations containing PEG and PEG derivatives, there have been few reported cases of sensitization reactions. These cases primarily involve patients...

Research Summary: Cyclic and linear siloxanes are compounds synthesized from silicon, consisting of alternating atoms of silicone and oxygen [Si-O] units with organic side chains. The most common cyclic siloxanes are octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6), while the most common linear siloxanes are high molecular weight polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) and low molecular weight volatile linear siloxanes known as hexamethyldisiloxane (L2), octamethyltrisiloxane (L3), decamethyltetrasiloxane (L4), and dodecamethylpentasiloxane (L5). These compounds exhibit low dermal toxicity, are generally inert and non-reactive, and are compatible with a wide range of chemicals. They offer beneficial properties such as wash-off or transfer resistance from the...

Research Summary: Enclosed is the Draft Report on the Safety Assessment of Polysilicone-11 as Used in Cosmetics (polysil122019rep). This ingredient is a crosslinked dimethylsiloxane, formed by the reaction of bis-vinyldimethicone and hydrogen dimethicone, and is reported to function as a film former in cosmetics.Following an intensive search of information in the published scientific literature, online databases, and other sources on this ingredient, there was insufficient information found to justify the preparation of a formal Scientific Literature Review (SLR). Therefore, in July 2019, CIR issued a SLR Notice to Proceed (NTP) for Polysilicone-11 to alert interested parties that a safety assessment...

Research Summary: Ageing causes a decline in the function of human skin, while factors such as medical conditions, drugs, and environmental irritants add to the compromised skin and predispose it to certain conditions. Superimposed on the changes of physiological ageing are changes characterized by chronic sun exposure. Skin neoplasia, whether benign, premalignant, or malignant, is more common in the elderly. It is important to identify benign conditions, as it is crucial that lesions with malignant potential be recognized so that timely treatment can prevent serious malignancies. Ultraviolet radiation is the major etiologic factor for the development of skin cancer.Pruritic conditions...