In 2022, the EU banned titanium dioxide as a food additive due to concerns over nano-sized particles that may accumulate in the body and potentially damage DNA over time. While this doesn’t apply to cosmetics, it raises questions for lip products, which can be incidentally ingested. The move reflects a precautionary approach, not proven toxicity, and has led some clean beauty brands to avoid the ingredient altogether.
What Is Titanium Dioxide and Why Is It Used?
- Function in cosmetics: Acts as a white pigment, opacifier (makes the pigment non-transparent), and UV filter.
- Used in lip products: To brighten shades, add opacity, and give a smooth, creamy finish.
Why Did the EU Ban It as a Food Additive?
In 2022, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that titanium dioxide (E171) could no longer be considered safe as a food additive. This wasn’t because of proven toxicity, but due to uncertainty over the potential genotoxicity (DNA damage) of nano-sized particles, which may accumulate over time in the body.
Key Point: The ban applies only to ingested titanium dioxide in food, not to its use in cosmetics.
What About in the U.S. and Cosmetics Generally?
- In the U.S., the FDA still allows titanium dioxide in both food and cosmetics, including in lip products, as long as it makes up less than 1% of the product by weight and meets purity standards.
- Cosmetics regulations globally still consider topical use of titanium dioxide as safe, especially in non-spray, non-powder formats like lip balm.
The Issue with Lip Products
Lip products are unique because they’re worn on the mouth, so some incidental ingestion is almost inevitable.
- There is currently no direct evidence showing harm from ingesting small amounts of titanium dioxide via lip balm.
- However, the precautionary principle used by the EU suggests we should minimize long-term, low-dose ingestion, especially of nano-sized particles.
Bottom Line: Should It Be Banned from Lip Products?
There’s not enough definitive evidence to ban it yet, but there is enough concern particularly around chronic ingestion of nanoparticles that many clean beauty brands now avoid it voluntarily in lip products.
So while it remains legally permitted and generally regarded as safe, more research is needed, and some consumers and advocacy groups are calling for stricter regulation—especially for products applied directly to the lips.