Bismuth Oxychloride is a synthetically prepared white or nearly white amorphous or finely crystalline powder. In cosmetics and personal care products, Bismuth Oxychloride is used in the formulation of many products, including make-up, nail products, cleansing products, fragrances and hair coloring products.
What is it?
Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?
Bismuth Oxychloride imparts silvery sheen (pearlescence) to cosmetics and personal care products.
Bismuth is a naturally occurring, brittle metal. Bismuth-containing compounds can be found in a number of applications: as a pigment (Bismuth Oxychloride) in cosmetics and personal care products, and in Over-The-Counter (OTC) medicines (bismuth subnitrate) such as some used to treat gastrointestinal problems. Because bismuth compounds come from the earth they may contain trace amounts of heavy metals. The levels of heavy metals in Bismuth Oxychloride are regulated by the FDA, and the small amounts that may eventually be in cosmetic or personal care products do not pose a risk to human health.
Scientific Facts:
