Titanium Dioxide
A mineral UV filter and white pigment used in sunscreens and makeup. It sits on the skin surface rather than being absorbed, and major regulators consider it safe for topical cosmetic use.
Some headlines cite an international cancer classification for titanium dioxide to suggest sunscreens and makeup are risky. That classification applies to inhaling large amounts of loose titanium dioxide powder in occupational settings, not to applying it topically in a cream or lotion. The EU does restrict nano-form titanium dioxide in sprayable products specifically to avoid inhalation, which is a targeted precaution, not evidence that skin application is unsafe.
Worth knowing
- Restricted in the EU
EU restricts nano-form titanium dioxide in products that could be inhaled, such as sprays and loose powders, as a precaution against airborne particle exposure.
Products with Titanium Dioxide
References
Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.