Triphenyl Phosphate as a Nail Polish Ingredient - Safe or Not?
An Insight Into the SCCS`s Final Opinion
 

26/09/2024

🤔 What is Triphenyl Phosphate?

 

"A good nail polish" - What does it mean exactly? What properties are coming to your mind first?

 

I bet most of us thought of consistency. Am I right? 

 

Yep, consistency is key. A good nail polish is one that can be applied smoooooothly. Without any strikes or unwanted bubbles. 

 

And that`s why Triphenyl Phosphate is added to the composition of nail polish. 

 

Triphenyl Phosphate is a commonly used plasticiser. As an additive, it softens the polymer mixture and increases its elasticity. 

 

Triphenyl Phosphate directly affects and determines the consistency of nail polish. As reported in the Safety Assessment of Cosmetic Ingredients Review, it is most commonly used in the concentrations ranging from 1% to 14.5%. 

 

 

❌ What are the concerns about Triphenyl Phosphate?

 

Triphenyl Phosphate is believed to act as an “endocrine disruptor”. 

 

Endocrine disruptors are types of compounds that can mimic natural hormones and thus affect the functioning of the endocrine system and the entire organism. 

 

But are these concerns reasonable, given the use of Triphenyl Phosphate at a maximum concentration of up to 5%?

 

 

📝 Triphenyl Phosphate as a cosmetic ingredient - is it already subject to restrictions in the EU?

 

Nope, currently, Triphenyl Phosphate is not specifically regulated under the Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009.

 

 

💡 What is the final conclusion of SCCS?

 

It looks like not much will change in terms of use of Triphenyl Phosphate in cosmetic products.

 

On 26 July 2024, the SCCS issued a statement that no conclusions could be drawn on the safety of Triphenyl Phosphate. The main reason was the lack of sufficient data. 

 

Therefore, the SCCS could not exclude the potential genotoxicity of this ingredient and finalise its safety assessment.

 

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References

 

SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety), Opinion on triphenyl phosphate (CAS No. 204-112-2, EC No. 115-86-6) preliminary version of 27 March 2024, final version of 25 July 2024, SCCS/1664/24

 

Safety Assessment of Triphenyl Phosphate as Used in Cosmetics - Cosmetic Ingredient Review, June 2018

 

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