SYNTHETIC BEESWAX || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

SYNTHETIC BEESWAX

Binder; Emulsion Stabilizer; Viscosity Increasing Agent - Nonaqueous; BINDING; EMULSION STABILISING; VISCOSITY CONTROLLING

SCORE

	1	low hazard
	87%	data gap
(why scores have changed)

Also listed as

BEESWAX, SYNTHETIC; MIXED WAX

Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.

This ingredient:
	Cancer
	Developmental/reproductive toxicity
	Restrictions & warnings
	Allergies/immunotoxicity
	Contamination concerns
	Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
	Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Data gaps
	See products containing SYNTHETIC BEESWAX

About SYNTHETIC BEESWAX: Synthetic Beeswax is a wax synthetically derived to be generally indistinguishable from naturalbeeswax with regard to composition and properties. It consists chiefly of a mixture of esters of even-numbered, straight chain acids and alcohols co ntaining 16-36 carbon atoms.

SYNTHETIC BEESWAX has reported used in the following product types: mascara (61); lipstick (21); eye shadow (15); eye liner (9); brow liner (8); lip plumper (8); moisturizer (6); concealer (5); baby lotion (5); sunscreen: lip balm (5)

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

type of concern

product conditions

reference

One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)

products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips

RTECS^®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1984

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

type of concern	product conditions	reference
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses		RTECS^®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1984

Ecotoxicology

type of concern	product conditions	reference
Suspected to be an environmental toxin		Environment Canada Domestic Substance List

Data gaps

type of concern	product conditions	reference
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product		Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
23 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results ->		PubMed

Persistence and bioaccumulation

type of concern

product conditions

reference

Not suspected to be persistent

Environment Canada Domestic Substance List

Government, industry, academic studies and classifications

government/industry list/academic study	appears on list as	classification(s)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments	SYNTHETIC BEESWAX	•Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) •Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product •
Environment Canada Domestic Substance List	BEESWAX, SYNTHETIC	•This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for suspected aquatic toxicity.
RTECS^®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1984	SYNTHETIC BEESWAX	• sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit )
RTECS^®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1984	SYNTHETIC BEESWAX	• sense organ - Chromodacyrorrhea (rat LDLo) • gastrointestinal - Hypermotility, diarrhea (rat LDLo) • sense organ - Other changes (rat LDLo) • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit )

references

government/industry list/academic study	reference
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments	CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC.
Environment Canada Domestic Substance List	EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
RTECS^®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1984	RTECS^®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology. (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1651 Third Ave., New York, NY 10128) V.1-12, 1982-1993. Discontinued. 3(3),43,1984
RTECS^®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1984	RTECS^®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology. (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1651 Third Ave., New York, NY 10128) V.1-12, 1982-1993. Discontinued. 3(3),43,1984

"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.