Zea Mays (Corn) Gluten Protein
What is it?
Many ingredients made from the corn plant, Zea mays may be used in cosmetics and personal care products. The most common corn-derived ingredients used in cosmetics include Zea Mays (Corn) Oil and Zea Mays (Corn) Starch. Other ingredients include Zea Mays (Corn) Cob Meal, Zea Mays (Corn) Cob Powder, Zea Mays (Corn) Fruit, Zea Mays (Corn) Germ Extract, Zea Mays (Corn) Germ Oil, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil Unsaponifiables, Zea Mays (Corn) Gluten Protein, Zea Mays (Corn) Kernel Extract, Zea Mays (Corn) Kernel Meal, Zea Mays (Corn) Seed Flour, Zea Mays (Corn) Silk Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Corn Acid, Corn Glycerides and Potassium Cornate. These ingredients are used in the formulation of skin care, hair care, bath products, eye and facial makeup, lipsticks, and hair dyes and colors.
Safety Information
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers Corn Flour and Corn Meal to be foods and has specific specifications for these Corn products. Corn Gluten and Corn Silk Extract are included on FDA's list of substances considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for direct addition to food. Corn Oil is permitted for use as an indirect food additive for use as a component of coatings for food contact surfaces and as a component of paper and paper board that comes into contact with food.
The FDA permits Zea Mays (Corn) Starch to be used in Over-the-Counter (OTC) skin protectant drug products. When used in these drug products this ingredient must be listed on the label as Topical Starch.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated short-term and long-term safety studies on Corn-derived ingredients and identified no safety issues or concern for the use of these ingredients in cosmetics.
The FDA permits Zea Mays (Corn) Starch to be used in Over-the-Counter (OTC) skin protectant drug products. When used in these drug products this ingredient must be listed on the label as Topical Starch.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated short-term and long-term safety studies on Corn-derived ingredients and identified no safety issues or concern for the use of these ingredients in cosmetics.
Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?
The following functions have been reported for Corn-derived ingredients in cosmetic products.
Abrasives - Zea Mays (Corn) Cob Meal, Zea Mays (Corn) Cob Powder, Zea Mays (Corn) Kernel Meal, Zea Mays (Corn) Seed Flour, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Absorbents - Zea Mays (Corn) Seed Flour, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Binders - Zea Mays (Corn) Seed Flour
Bulking Agents - Zea Mays (Corn) Cob Meal, Zea Mays (Corn) Gluten Protein, Zea Mays (Corn) Kernel Meal, Zea Mays (Corn) Seed Flour
Hair conditioning agents - Zea Mays (Corn) Gluten Protein, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil Unsaponifiables, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Opacifying agents – Corn Acid
Skin conditioning agents – humectant - Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Corn Glycerides
Skin conditioning agents – miscellaneous - Zea Mays (Corn) Gluten Protein, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil Unsaponifiables, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin conditioning agents – occlusive - Zea Mays (Corn) Germ Oil, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil
Skin protectant - Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Surfactants – cleansing agents – Corn Acid, Potassium Cornate
Surfactants – emulsifying agents - Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Corn Glycerides, Potassium Cornate
Viscosity increasing agent – aqueous - Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Abrasives - Zea Mays (Corn) Cob Meal, Zea Mays (Corn) Cob Powder, Zea Mays (Corn) Kernel Meal, Zea Mays (Corn) Seed Flour, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Absorbents - Zea Mays (Corn) Seed Flour, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Binders - Zea Mays (Corn) Seed Flour
Bulking Agents - Zea Mays (Corn) Cob Meal, Zea Mays (Corn) Gluten Protein, Zea Mays (Corn) Kernel Meal, Zea Mays (Corn) Seed Flour
Hair conditioning agents - Zea Mays (Corn) Gluten Protein, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil Unsaponifiables, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Opacifying agents – Corn Acid
Skin conditioning agents – humectant - Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Corn Glycerides
Skin conditioning agents – miscellaneous - Zea Mays (Corn) Gluten Protein, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil Unsaponifiables, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin conditioning agents – occlusive - Zea Mays (Corn) Germ Oil, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil
Skin protectant - Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Surfactants – cleansing agents – Corn Acid, Potassium Cornate
Surfactants – emulsifying agents - Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Corn Glycerides, Potassium Cornate
Viscosity increasing agent – aqueous - Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Scientific facts:
Corn is one of the most commonly grown foods in the world. The seed can be eaten raw or cooked and the mature seed can be dried and used whole or ground into flour. Corn Oil, obtained from the seed, is an all-purpose oil that is frequently used for cooking and as a food such as in salad dressings.
There are many varieties of Corn, including some that have been produced using biotechnology. The varieties may also be called genetically modified organisms (GMO). Please follow this link for more informtion on GMOs.
There are many varieties of Corn, including some that have been produced using biotechnology. The varieties may also be called genetically modified organisms (GMO). Please follow this link for more informtion on GMOs.
