March 8, 2024
On March 08, 2024, The Office for Product Safety & Standards under scientific advisory group on chemical sfety of non food and non medicinal consumer products (SAG-CS) published its final opinion on Methyl Salicylate in Cosmetic Products.
Methyl salicylate is found naturally, as the main component (up to 99%) of wintergreen oil which is extracted from wintergreen leaves (Gaultheria procumbens), or sweet birch bark (Betula lenta) and widely used in cosmetic products (hair, bathing, perfumery, make-up and oral hygiene products), consumer products (household cleaners, detergents, air freshners, biocides) for its flavoring, soothing, fragrance activity.
But under GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) methyl salicylate classified as category 2 reproductive toxicant, as well as in acute toxicity category 4 and skin sensitiser category 1B. Article 15 of the UK Cosmetics Regulation prohibits the use of category 1A, 1B and 2 Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Reprotoxic (CMR) classified substances in cosmetic products under the GB CLP regulation and which are included in the GB Mandatory Classification and Labelling (MCL) list, unless an exemption has been granted by the Secretary of State.
To ensure safe use of Methyl salicylate UK cosmetic industry provided a dossier of maximum concentration on following products to OPSS.
Hydroalcoholic-based fragrances (0.600 %)
Rinse-off skin & hair products (except hand wash products) (0.060 %)
Hand wash products (0.600 %)
Leave on skin & hair products (non-aerosol) (0.060 %)
Face Make up products (0.050%)
Lipsticks & lip balm (0.030 %)
Eye make-up products & make-up remover (0.002%)
Toothpaste (2.520 %)
Mouthwash (0.600 %)
Mouth spray (0.650 %)
Deo spray/aerosol products (0.003 %)
Hair products (spray/aerosol) (0.009 %)
Body Lotion Spray (0.040 %)
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