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The material selection platform
Cosmetics Ingredients
The material selection platform
Cosmetics Ingredients

TITANIUM DIOXIDE

CAS Number 13463-67-7
Chem/IUPAC Name: Titanium dioxide (CI 77891)
EINECS/ELINCS No: 236-675-5
COSING REF No: 38617
Titanium dioxide
With the chemical formula TiO2, titanium dioxide, also referred to as titanium(IV) oxide or titania, is an inorganic substance. It is also known as titanium white, Pigment White 6 (PW6), or CI 77891 when used as a pigment. Although mineral forms can appear black, it is a solid that is insoluble in water and is white in colour. It functions as a physical sunscreen that reflects ultraviolet radiation from the sun as opposed to chemical sunscreens that absorb it. It has a molecular weight of 79.866.

What is TITANIUM DIOXIDE used for?

An inert earth mineral called titanium dioxide is used in cosmetics as a thickening, opacifying, and sunscreen ingredient. In terms of skin sensitivity, it is regarded as non-risky and shields skin from UVA and UVB radiation.
  • It is a great sunscreen ingredient for sensitive skin that is prone to redness because of how gentle it is. It's fantastic for use near the eyes because it almost never stings. 
  • Anatase and rutile are the two main types of titanium dioxide that are sold commercially. Due to its superior ability to handle UV rays and its stability in the presence of UV light, the rutile form is typically used in sunscreens. 
  • For use in cosmetic products, titanium dioxide is typically micronized and coated. This slightly heavy-feeling ingredient is easier to spread thanks to the micronizing. Micronized titanium dioxide doesn’t penetrate the skin.
  • In sunscreens, it is commonly modified with other ingredients to ensure efficacy and stability. Examples of what are known as surface modifier ingredients used for titanium dioxide include stearic acid, isostearic acid, polyhydroxystearic acid, and dimethicone/methicone copolymer.
  • It is a great broad-spectrum SPF ingredient and is widely used in all manner of sun-protection products. In order to change a colour to a lighter shade, titanium dioxide, which is available as a white powder, is occasionally used in cosmetics. This is also the reason why a white cast may result.

Origin

Ilmenite is a mineral that is primarily used to make synthetic TiO2. As naturally occurring TiO2, rutile and anatase are also widely distributed. For example, rutile is a "heavy mineral" in beach sand. Another ore is leucoxene, a fine-grained anatase created by ilmenite's natural alteration. Titanium dioxide can also be obtained through two other processes:
  • Chloride process: The ore is treated with chlorine and carbon in the chloride process, resulting in titanium tetrachloride, a volatile liquid that is further purified through distillation. In order to regenerate chlorine and create titanium dioxide, TiCl4 is treated with oxygen.
  • Sulfate process: Ilmenite is subjected to sulfuric acid treatment in the sulphate process in order to extract iron(II) sulphate pentahydrate. The resulting synthetic rutile is then subjected to additional processing in accordance with the requirements of the end user, such as pigment grade or not.

What does TITANIUM DIOXIDE do in a formulation?

  • Opacifying
  • Uv absorber
  • Uv filter

Safety profile

When titanium dioxide is breatheable or inhalable, the majority of health concerns for people arise. According to research findings, some mammals can breathe in nanosized titanium dioxide, raising concerns about possible harmful effects on humans. Studies in the past have suggested that TiO2 nanoparticles may be more toxic than the more common, larger TiO2 particles. Studies on human health, mostly occupational studies involving the inhalation of titanium dioxide, have produced contradictory results regarding cancer. Due to worries about lung cancer, the US National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety has established limits for worker dust exposure. The European Union (E.U.) provided the first scientific assessment of the safety of using titanium dioxide as a UV filter in cosmetic products at a maximum concentration of 25%.

Technical profile

Property Values
Boiling Point 2972°C
Melting Point 1843°C
Solubility Insoluble in water
70

Commercial Selection : Grades containing solely TITANIUM DIOXIDE

80
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