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thickener

Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate

Commonly feared, low concern·Moderate evidence

A starch derivative used to thicken sunscreen lotions and absorb excess oil; the aluminum here is bound in a starch complex, unlike the soluble aluminum salts used in antiperspirants. CIR has reviewed aluminum starch octenylsuccinate and found it safe as used in cosmetic formulations.

The myth vs the evidence

Because the name contains "aluminum," it sometimes gets lumped in with antiperspirant aluminum-salt fears, but it is a different, insoluble starch compound and the published evidence does not support treating it the same way.

Products with Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate

References

Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. A verdict is a reading of the published evidence, never a guarantee for your skin: any ingredient can irritate someone, so patch test new products and see a professional if you react. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.