How Much Vitamin A Palmitate Is Allowed in Cosmetics?

Most sunscreens contain vitamin A palmitate.

Vitamin A palmitate, or retyinal palmitate, is a constituent used in may beauty products and sunscreens. Researchers have grown concerned over the effects vitamin A paltimate has on the human body once it is absorbed through the skin and into the blood stream. One of the biggest effects of vitamin A palmitate in cosmetic products is the development of cancer.

Uses

Vitamin A palmitate is found in many common makeup products such as blush, powder or foundation. Sunscreens usually contain vitamin A palmitate, as do tanning lotions. The use of vitamin A palmitate in beauty and personal care products has grown exponentially, and it is mainly used for its antioxidant activity.

Cancer

The Environmental Working Group have voiced concerns over vitamin A palmitate and the development of skin cancer. When exposed to sunlight, the vitamin A in skin products can produce an onslaught of free radicals, aiding in the risk of developing skin and other forms of cancer. Vitamin A palmitate can also seep through the skin into the bloodstream, which raises more concern for body organs.

Allowed Amounts in Cosmetics

In 2009, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel concluded that safe levels of vitamin A palmitate in cosmetics should be 5 percent. FDA studies of vitamin A palmitate, however, showed that only 1 percent of vitamin A palmitate exposure through skin products increased the risk for skin cancer. Until the FDA can accumulate more data and carry out further study, the Environmental Working Group advises to avoid all products containing vitamin A palmitate.

References

• EWG: Sunscreen Additive May Speed Skin Damage

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Cosmetics Database: Retinyl Palmitate