Nanoparticles for cosmetics : how safe is safe?

Authors

  • Maria Guix
  • Carlos Carbonell
  • Joan Comenge
  • Lorena García-Fernández
  • Alfonso Alarcón
  • Eudald Casals

Abstract

The increasing use of nanoparticulate engineered materials posses the question on the safety of those materials. A paradigmatic case is their use in cosmetics, in principle because those materials are in direct contact with the body and because probably cosmetic usage of nanotechnology will anticipate the use of nanoparticles in medicine. Non acute toxic effects have been observed so far and some tones of some nanoparticles are already used in sunscreens. However the observed effects of interaction between nanoparticles and biological structures calls for a better understanding of that interaction and a prudent development of consumer products based on nanoparticles. In this paper we summarize the known facts regarding the use of nanoparticles in cosmetics.

Published

2010-01-18