Why you should avoid cosmetics containing nano ingredients

Nano-sized cosmetic ingredients

Nano-sized ingredients are sometimes used in cosmetics. They have been used for over 30 years and are now indispensable ingredients as UV protection agents and colorants.

By reducing the size to nano size, it is easier for the product to penetrate and blend into the skin, and it doesn't leave a white cast. For these reasons, I think there are great benefits for users.

However, in recent years, doubts have been raised in various countries about the safety of nano ingredients.

What are nano ingredients?

The definition of nano components is not actually clear. In general, they are defined as artificially developed components with diameters between 1 nm (nanometer) and 100 nm.

1nm to 100nm is 1/8000th the size of a human hair. It is no longer visible to the naked eye, nor even under a microscope. It is much smaller than human skin tissue.

When ingredients are processed to such small sizes, their properties change, and the changes vary from ingredient to ingredient. These unpredictable changes are causing concern.

The dangers of nano ingredients

Research has shown that nano-components, which are less soluble in water, tend to be more toxic than larger particles of the same components, but the extent to which nano-components affect human health and the natural environment is largely unknown.

Nano-ingredients can be inhaled through the nose or mouth, or absorbed through the skin. It has also been reported that nano-ingredients inhaled through the nose can reach the brain.

Some mineral ingredients can absorb UV rays even when they are broken down into nano-sized particles that are invisible to the naked eye. Despite the uncertainty of their safety, these ingredients are included in many sunscreen products as UV protection agents.

Concerns around the world

WHO
Cosmetics containing nano-sized ingredients are said to be in the hands of 2 billion people around the world. Due to the uncertainty of their safety, the WHO has sounded a warning against their use in cosmetics.

Europe
In 2020, the EU published guidance on nano ingredients.
This is to provide consumers with proper information about the safety of ingredients.
Legal regulations are being implemented, such as requiring all companies that manufacture, use, or import nano ingredients to apply in advance, and requiring cosmetics containing nano ingredients to list the word "nano" on the ingredient list.

United States : The US Food and Drug Administration monitors the use of nano ingredients in cosmetics. There are currently no strict regulations, but the agency has published safety analyses and guidance for use in cosmetics.

Japan <br>There are no specific regulations, and the management of formulation and safety is left entirely to each manufacturer. Even if a product contains nano ingredients, it does not need to be listed on the label or in the product information. Therefore, consumers cannot tell whether a product contains nano ingredients.

Ingredients that may be nanosized

• Titanium dioxide (sunscreen, foundation, sheet masks, etc.)
• Zinc oxide (sunscreen, foundation, body powder, etc.)
• Silica (foundation, eyeshadow, lipstick, loose powder, etc.)
• Carbon black (eyeliner, mascara, etc.)
• Tris(vinyl)triazine (sunscreen)
• Hydroxyapatite (eye shadow, foundation, toothpaste, etc.)
• Gold (eyeshadow, blush, lipstick, sunscreen, sheet masks, etc.)
• Silver (eyeshadow, blush, lipstick, sunscreen, sheet masks, etc.)
• Alumina (foundation, concealer, lip products, eyeshadow, etc.)
• Iron oxides (skin care, sunscreen, foundation, etc.)
• Methylenebisbenzotriazolyltetramethylbutylphenol (sunscreen)
• Fullerene (sheet masks, lotions, milky lotions, face creams, etc.)
• Colloidal platinum (foundation, nail products, shampoo, etc.)

These ingredients may be in nano form.
The ingredients are not listed on the list, so if you are unsure, be sure to contact the manufacturer.

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