Boric Acid
What is it?
Sodium Borate and Boric Acid are colorless or white crystals, or powders. In cosmetics and personal care products, Sodium Borate and Boric Acid are used in the formulation of a wide variety of product types including creams and lotions and bath, hair and skin products.
Safety Information
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed the safety of Boric Acid and approved its use as an indirect food additive as a component of adhesives and paper and paperboard.
The safety of Sodium Borate and Boric Acid has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that Sodium Borate and Boric Acid, in concentrations less than or equal to 5%, are safe as cosmetic ingredients. The CIR Expert Panel also cautioned that cosmetics and personal care products containing free Sodium Borate or Boric Acid at 5% should not be used on infant skin or injured skin. In 2003, as part of the scheduled re-evaluation of ingredients, the CIR Expert Panel considered available new data on Sodium Borate and Boric Acid and reaffirmed the above conclusion.
The safety of Sodium Borate and Boric Acid has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that Sodium Borate and Boric Acid, in concentrations less than or equal to 5%, are safe as cosmetic ingredients. The CIR Expert Panel also cautioned that cosmetics and personal care products containing free Sodium Borate or Boric Acid at 5% should not be used on infant skin or injured skin. In 2003, as part of the scheduled re-evaluation of ingredients, the CIR Expert Panel considered available new data on Sodium Borate and Boric Acid and reaffirmed the above conclusion.
Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?
Sodium Borate and Boric Acid prevent or retard bacterial growth, and thus protect cosmetics and personal care products from spoilage. They are also used to control pH and to minimize the change in the pH of a solution when an acid or a base is added. Sodium Borate and Boric Acid also help to keep an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components. They are also used to alter the thickness of liquid cosmetics and personal care products.
Scientific facts:
Sodium Borate, also called borax, occurs naturally as the mineral, tincal, and Boric Acid occurs naturally as the mineral, sassolite. Both Sodium Borate and Boric Acid may also be obtained by treating other minerals such as kernite, ulexite, and colemanite.
