EC Requests Scientific Opinion on Three Coatings for Nano Forms of Zinc Oxide as a UV Filter in Dermally Applied Cosmetic Products

On August 19, 2019, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) posted a request from the European Commission (EC) for a scientific opinion on three coatings for nano zinc oxide as an ultraviolet (UV) filter in dermally applied cosmetic products — methicone, silica, and isostearic acid.  SCCS previously reviewed nano zinc oxide and the coatings triethoxycaprylylsilane, dimethicone, dimethoxydiphenylsilanetriethoxycaprylylsilane cross-polymer, and octyl triethoxy silane.  SCCS concluded that the use of nano zinc oxide as a UV filter in sunscreens, with the characteristics laid out in its opinion, and at a concentration of up to 25%, can be considered to “pose no or limited risk for use on the skin as UV filter in sunscreen formulations.”  Regarding the use of other coatings not covered in the opinion, SCCS concluded that “[o]ther cosmetic ingredients can be used as coatings as long as they are demonstrated to the SCCS to be safe and do not affect the particle properties related to behaviour and/or effects, compared to the nanomaterials covered in the current opinion.”

In its request, the EC asks whether:

• SCCS considers safe the use of methicone with a maximum concentration of 3% as coating on nano zinc oxide for use as UV filter in dermally applied cosmetic products;
• SCCS considers safe the use of methicone with a maximum concentration of 3% when applied in combination with 8% silica as coatings on nano zinc oxide for use as UV filter in dermally applied cosmetic products;
• SCCS considers safe the use of isostearic acid with a maximum concentration of 4% when applied in combination with 2.0% triethoxycaprylylsilane as coatings on nano zinc oxide for use as UV filter in dermally applied cosmetic products; and
• SCCS has any further scientific concerns regarding the use of nano zinc oxide coated with the above-mentioned materials when used as UV filter in dermally applied cosmetic products.

The deadline for SCCS’s opinion is March 2020.