Is Titanium Dioxide Safe?

The safety of the food additive E 171 was re-evaluated by the EFSA ANS Panel in 2016 in the frame of Regulation (EU) No 257/2010, as part of the re-evaluation programme for food additives authorised in the EU before 20 January 2009.  

Data availability statement

Titanium dioxide as used in sunscreens is commonly modified with other ingredients to ensure efficacy and stability. Examples of what are known as surface modifier ingredients used for titanium dioxide include stearic acid, isostearic acid, polyhydroxystearic acid, and dimethicone/methicone copolymer.

It’s true that titanium dioxide does not rank as high for UVA protection as zinc oxide, it ends up being a small difference (think about it like being 10 years old versus 10 years and 3 months old). This is not easily understood in terms of other factors affecting how sunscreen actives perform (such as the base formula), so many, including some dermatologists, assume that zinc oxide is superior to titanium dioxide for UVA protection. When carefully formulated, titanium dioxide provides excellent UVA protection. Its UVA protection peak is lower than that of zinc oxide, but both continue to provide protection throughout the UVA range for the same amount of time.

R-996 titanium dioxide, white powder, insoluble in water, non-physiological toxicity, chemically stable, with excellent weather resistance and anti-powdering ability.

According to the feedback of the manufacturers, the new mainstream factory has risen, and the overall transaction center of the market has moved up. On the demand side, the terminal is currently considering stocking up in autumn, and the actual transaction willingness is enhanced; From the supply side, some mainstream manufacturers have increased the load, and the actual output of the industry has increased. Some plastics and papermaking related downstream feedback some of the tight models are more expensive. Recent titanium dioxide raw material price trend is strong, titanium dioxide price upward support also increased, comprehensive market factors, the current price of titanium dioxide rose again.