The list of ingredients that comprise the chemical class ‘elements’ is a short one; but most are readily recognized in the Personal Care industry due to their extensive use as colorants in the color cosmetics category. Following is the complete list:
Aluminum, Aluminum Powder, Argon, Carbon Fiber, Charcoal Powder, Chromium, Colloidal Gold, Copper Powder, Diamond Powder, Fullerenes, Gold, Graphite, Iron Powder, Palladium, Phosphorous, Platinum, Platinum Powder, Silver, Sulfur, Tin, Zinc, Zirconium Powder
While gold has been traditionally used as a colorant in products such as eye shadows and various skincare preparations, the more recent claim for its efficacy as an anti-aging ingredient has not been confirmed. Similarly, much debate surrounds the use and safety of gold nanoparticles. Colloidal gold, a suspension of gold in water, has also been reported to have anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties.
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In addition to their use as colorants, representatives of this class have a diverse range of functions which include use as abrasives, antioxidants, bulking agents and hair and skin conditioning agents. Sulfur is one such example which has long been utilized in several product categories as an anti-acne and antidandruff agent.
Elemental sulfur is a bright yellow, crystalline powder at room temperature, while colloidal sulfur is a suspension of sulfur particles, usually in a gum base. Sulfur is a category I anti-acne agent, permitted for use in OTC drugs at concentrations of 3 to 10%. It is also a category I anti-dandruff agent, permitted for use in OTC drugs at concentrations of 2 to 5%. While Sulfur has been demonstrated to be effective within these concentrations, studies have shown that the combination of 2% sulfur with 2% salicylic acid in a shampoo base was more effective at treating dandruff than either active used alone.
The challenge of keeping sulfur particles suspended is well-known among Formulating Chemists. The following links provide examples of formulation approaches that might be considered for achieving this goal:
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Sulfur and Salicylic Acid Wash
References:
- Leyden JJ, McGinley KJ, Mills OH, Kyriakopoulos AA, Kligman AM. Effects of sulfur and salicylic acid in a shampoo base in the treatment of dandruff: a double-blind study using corneocyte counts and clinical grading. Cutis (Jun.1987) 39(6):557-61
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Dear Priscilla,
I am a R&D Professional working in FMCG sector. Could you pls let know the way forward for registration of products containing colloidal gold at ESMA UAE . The CAS number of Gold(CAS 7440-57-5) is banned as per the GSO-01943-2009.
Kindly let know the way by which I can register product containing Gold/ colloidal Gold at UAE -ESMA.
rgds.
Vidya Jain