Barium Sulfate
Barium sulfate is a white, insoluble mineral pigment (CI 77120) used as an opacifier and colorant in makeup and other cosmetics. CIR's expert panel reviewed its safety, drawing on its long history of safe use as a medical imaging contrast agent, and concluded it's safe as used at up to 37% in leave-on products and 0.99% in rinse-off products, while noting that formulas should be kept nonirritating since sulfate salts in general have irritation potential.
Barium sounds like a heavy metal to avoid, and soluble barium salts really are toxic if ingested or absorbed. Barium sulfate is different: it's essentially insoluble in water and body fluids, so it doesn't release barium ions the way soluble salts do. It's used at high doses, literally swallowed, as a contrast agent for medical CT and X-ray imaging with an extensive safety record, and CIR's panel found no potential for sensitization, concluding it's safe as used in cosmetics including leave-on products up to 37%.
Products with Barium Sulfate
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.