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Tin, Zinc and Selenium: Metals in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

July 24, 2009 | Contact Author | By: Jurij J. Hostynek and Howard I. Maibach, University of California
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Keywords: tin | zinc | selenium | metals in cosmetics

Abstract: This is the sixth article in a series discussing the 17 metal compounds listed in teh CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and the CIR Compendium. The present article discusses tin, zinc and selenium.

Tin
Exposure to tin and tin salts as they occur naturally in the environment poses no significant toxicological hazard to the general public, although a potential for human sensitization has been recognized. Significant accumulation of the metal or its salts in the organism is unlikely due to their poor solubility and minimal absorption form the repiratory and GI tracts. Tin fluoride has been used for many years in toothpaste and topical solutions, but the instability of the aqueous solutions appears to be a major disadvantage.