The UK has set safe limits on two UV filters - benzophenone-3 and octocrylene – plus dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is used in sunless tanning products.
The Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety in Consumer Products (SAG-CS) concluded that benzophenone-3, also known as oxybenzoneis, is safe for use at maximum concentrations of 6% in face cream, hand cream and lip products; 2% in body products; and 5% when used as a UV stabiliser in cosmetic products.
For octocrylene, SAG-CS concluded that octocrylene is safe for use as a UV filter at a maximum concentration of 10% when used individually or in combination.
For both ingredients, SAG-CS stated a full risk assessment in children and adolescents should be conducted when adequate data and an appropriate methodology become available.
It concluded that DHA is safe for use by adults, at the below concentrations, when used in the following cosmetic products to produce a tanned appearance or brown colour in the absence of UV light.
- Leave on self-tan (lotion and non-aerosol spray) - 14%
- Leave on self-tan (spray booth weekly application) - 14%
- Rinse-off self-tan (rinse-off lotion) - 22.5%
- Non-oxidative hair colourant (leave-on) - 6.25%
SAG-CS said DHA is also safe for use by adults at the concentrations stated above when considering an aggregate usage scenario.
“It is important to point out that SAG-CS has raised some challenges about the use of such products in those aged under 14 years old,” it added.
