Letter to the Editor: Resorcinol Clarification

Oct 25th, 2018

Rachel Grabenhofer, et al.

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Editor's note: In response to a report we published previously, provided by Sirona Biochem and regarding the safety substantiation of the company's lead-based skin whitener, we received the following clarification/correction from a concerned reader. Please take note, as Cosmetics & Toiletries and Global Cosmetic Industry do not wish to propagate false or misleading information to the cosmetic community.

"There is major confusion [between] resorcinol and alkyl resorcinol, which are totally different products with different toxicology and biological responses. Resorcinol is not used as a skin lightener, and unlike alkyl forms, it has exfoliation and sensitizing effects. It is strictly regulated in Europe.

"Alkyl resorcinols are naturally occurring in edible plants such as rye, and hexyl resorcinol is approved as a food additive in the United States and European Union for the preservation of shrimp."

-François Marchio, Sytheon Ltd.

Discover your skin’s mindfulness coach that improves your self-perception

Discover your skin’s mindfulness coach that improves your self-perception

Calisensix™ is an ingredient obtained from the bark of white willow and the stem cells from tomato. It resolves neurogenic inflammation, soothes discomfort and enhances pleasant sensations in sensitive skin, both self-perceived and objectively detected.

While the company stands by its science, it is ending the global sales of baby powder containing mineral starch and switching to a formula based on corn starch,

$18.8 M Payout in J&J Talc Lawsuit Could Upset Settlement Offer

The ruling could sway individuals in the tens of thousands of other cases to also pursue claims in front of a jury, pressuring the judge overseeing the settlement case.

The bigger impact is that concerns over the potential endocrine-disrupting effects of bisphenols will no doubt put other cosmetic ingredients with the same alleged effects front and center (again), drawing interest from regulators.

Endocrine Disruptors in the EU, SCCS Opinions and NGO Pressure to Crack Down

From November 2022–February 2023, organizations in seven European Union member states tested 121 products and found bisphenols of high concern in 47 of them, per Chemical Watch. NGOs are urging regulators to impose stricter regulation on all bisphenols.

RIFM has submitted Safety Assessments covering approximately 200 materials for peer review, totaling 1,700 now or soon to be available.

RIFM Publishes Assessment of 1,500th Fragrance Material Marking Major Milestone

RIFM has submitted Safety Assessments covering approximately 200 materials for peer review, totaling 1,700 now or soon to be available.

The guides are regularly revised to incorporate the progress of scientific knowledge in general and the experience gained particularly in the field of testing and safety evaluation of cosmetic ingredients.

11 Changes to SCCS Guides for Cosmetics Safety Testing — Plus a Note on 'Nano'

The European Union's (EU's) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) recently updated its notes of guidance (NoG) for cosmetics and cosmetic ingredient safety testing, emphasizing alternatives to animal testing and more.

The FDA reminded consumers to check its blacklist of hand sanitizers they should not use due to methanol content, insufficient active ingredient or false and misleading/unproven claims.

FDA on Hand Sanitizers, Topical Irritation Testing and Biosimilars

Recent FDA activities include education for consumers on hand sanitizers and biosimilars, and guidance for testing the irritation/sensitization potential of topicals in relation to abbreviated new drug applications. Following is a roundup.

While some (if not many) of these allegations may be unfounded or misguided, it underscores the critical role of safety and toxicity testing even under non-typical product use conditions.

Unilever, J&J, Olaplex and L'Oreal Still Treading Legal Waters Over Lilial, Benzene

Olaplex, Redken, OGX, Dove, Nexxus, Suave, Tigi and Tresemmé brands are still making headlines as they tread legal waters over alleged Lilial and benzene content. Following are recent updates.

A letter from the FDA to Valisure, dated Dec. 5, 2022, highlighted 'methodological deficiencies' and 'analytic descrepancies' in the company's testing.

FDA, Unilever and GSK Challenge Valisure's Benzene Findings, Test Methods

The FDA recently raised concerns over the test methods of Valisure, the Connecticut-based lab whose reports over benzene in sunscreen and dry shampoo products from Unilever, GSK and others have prompted recalls and class action suits.

In evaluating how different solvents may affect the rheology of personal care formulas, it is helpful to consider that different formulation types have distinct relationships between viscosity and elasticity depending on the factors generating their elastic properties.

How Natural Butylene Glycol Advances Market and Rheology Dynamics

Demand for sustainable ingredients in cosmetics and personal care is well-known. Here, a sustainable natural butylene glycol is described to advance this trend and its effects on viscosity and elasticity are assessed in five test formulas.

Avon was acquired by Natura Cosmetics SA in 2020 and that year, the company removed talc from its products marketed in the United States — at a time it was defending nearly 130 talc lawsuits.

Avon Takes a $40 M Hit in Talc/Cancer Suit

The plaintiff, 76-year-old Rita Chapman of Scottsdale, Arizona, alleged that the use of Avon's talc-containing products tainted with asbestos caused her mesothelioma.

This follows the company's recall on these products in November 2021; at that time, the company had not received any reports of adverse events following the use of these products.

P&G Pays Out $8 M in Benzene Settlement

The settlement benefits consumers who purchased Secret, Old Spice, Pantene, Waterless, Aussie, Herbal Essences or Hair Food aerosol antiperspirant, deodorant, body spray, dry shampoo or dry conditioner products between Nov. 4, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2021.