The BfR published in 2018 a risk assessment on the use of Mineral hydrocarbons (MOSH and MOAH) in cosmetic products. The assessment was performed according to method IP346, designed in the 1980s as a preliminary test to predict mineral oils carcinogenic potential, when in contact with the derma.
The EU Cosmetic Regulation (No 1223/2009) allows for the presence of mineral oils in cosmetic products only in case all the refining process of the initial non-carcinogenic ingredient is known and accurately tracked. The purpose of this is to avoid that mineral oils which assumed carcinogenic properties in the purification process – and therefore become carcinogenically active – would be used in cosmetic products.
The opinion of the BfR assessment is that, considering the data and the scientific knowledge available, there is no clear evidence that cosmetic products containing Mineral Hydrocarbons are not considered responsible for their accumulation in the human body through dermal absorption. When ingestion through lip-care care products was considered, the BfR aligned itself to Recommendation No. 14 published by Cosmetics Europe in October 2018, stating that no health risk would derive from oral intake of mineral oils, if manufacturers would act in compliance with Cosmetics Europe document and use only those ingredients for which an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) value have been derived by JECFA and EFSA specialised committees.
Claudio VALLE
Need more information? Contact us now!