Safety Assessment of Red Algae-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of red algae-derived ingredients. Sixty red algae-derived ingredients were found in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary (Dictionary); however, several of these ingredients may be equivalent according to accepted scientific names. These ingredients are mostly reported to function in cosmetics as skin-conditioning agents. Impurities, particularly arsenic, heavy metals, and pesticides, may be present in these ingredients; industry should continue to use good manufacturing practices to monitor and limit these possible impurities. The Panel considered the available data and concluded that 16 red algae-derived ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment. The Panel also concluded that the data are insufficient to make a determination of safety that the remaining 44 ingredients are safe under the intended conditions of use in cosmetic formulations.