Menthyl Anthranilate

What Is It?

In cosmetics and personal care products, Menthyl Anthranilate is used in the formulation of sun protection products, eyebrow pencils, foundations, and lipsticks. When used in sun protection products in the United States, Menthyl Anthranilate must be called Meradimate.

Why Is It Used?

Meradimate, when applied to the skin, absorbs UV rays. In addition to causing sunburn, UV radiation is a significant cause of premature aging of the skin and contributes to the development of melanoma and other forms of skin cancer. Menthyl Anthranilate can also be used to protect cosmetics and personal care products from deterioration by absorbing, UV rays

Scientific Facts

Menthyl Anthranilate has the ability to convert incident ultraviolet radiation into less damaging infrared radiation (heat).

Safety Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed the safety and efficacy of Menthyl Anthranilate and approved its use as an active ingredient in Over-the-Counter (OTC) sunscreen drug products at concentrations up to 5%. When used in OTC drug products, Menthyl Anthranilate is called Meradimate. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has deferred evaluation of this ingredient because the safety has been assessed by FDA. This deferral of review is according to the provisions of the CIR Procedures.

Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Meradimate (Mentyl Anthranilate) http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…

Menthyl Anthranilate is not specifically listed in the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union. Therefore, it may not be used in products that protect the skin from the sun. In Europe, it may be used to protect cosmetics and personal care products from UV rays to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: 
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_p…

Health Canada permits the use of Menthyl Anthranilate in sunscreen products at a maximum concentration of 5%.

More Scientific Information

Menthyl Anthranilate (Meradimate) is the ester of menthol and o-anthranilic acid. Menthyl Anthranilate functions as a sunscreen agent and as an ultraviolet light absorber.

Resources

Find out more about the regulation of over-the-counter drugs by the Food and Drug Administration

OTC Drug Home Page: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSa…

Information about OTC Drug monographs: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/over-counter-otc-drug-monograph-process

Search the Code of Federal Regulations http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm

EU Cosmetics Inventory http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/