

What's in my cosmetic?

Nanomaterials and nanotechnology - in depth 

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This page provides answers to the following questions:

1. What does “nano” mean?
2. What is a nanomaterial?
3. Which nanomaterials are used in cosmetics?
4. Are nanomaterials safe?
5. Can nanoparticles penetrate through the skin?
7. Where can I find out more?


What does “nano” mean?


Want the maths?

To put this into context;
• A typical bacteria cell is around 1000 nanometres in size
• The diameter of a human hair is about 80,000 nanometres
• An ant is millions of nanometres long

What is a nanomaterial?



Despite all the new words and definitions, materials science at the nano-scale is not a new concept. Yes, there is exciting work being done building new structures and materials at this scale, for example through the manipulation of atoms and molecules, but the term “nanomaterial” can actually cover a huge array of materials, many of which we would not normally consider to be particularly revolutionary.



For further information and for more examples of nano in the natural world, see the video “The strange new world of Nanoscience” narrated by Stephen Fry and produced in association with Cambridge University.

Which nanomaterials are used in cosmetics?





Nanoparticles of other mineral materials may also be used in cosmetics.


The actual legal definition of a “nanomaterial” has been the subject of much discussion. For the purposes of cosmetics a nanomaterial is now defined under the EU law for cosmetics as: “…an insoluble or biopersistant and intentionally manufactured material with one or more external dimensions, or an internal structure, on the scale from 1 to 100 nm”.

What about nanoemulsions and nanosomes?

Are nanomaterials safe?




Also, the technology, and its safe use in consumer products, is constantly under review by regulatory bodies worldwide, including the European Commission’s independent advisory body, the Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety (SCCS, formerly the SCCNFP). This committee evaluated [2] micro-crystalline (nano-sized) titanium dioxide in October 2000 and concluded that it was safe as a UV filter for use in cosmetic products. The SCCS has since asked for more information to be able to look further at certain aspects of the safety assessment and the cosmetics industry has provided this information, which, it is confident, will answer any concerns. Similar information was also provided for zinc oxide, which also has UV filtering properties.  The SCCS published an opinion in September 2012 concluding that the zinc oxide nanoparticles they assessed are safe. A citizen's summary of the opinion is also available.

Can nanoparticles penetrate through the skin?




A new way of labelling is being introduced so that if an ingredient name is followed by the word “nano” in brackets it means that this ingredient is classed as a nanomaterial, i.e. it fits the definition provided in the EU cosmetics law. So, in the future, you will be able to tell if a cosmetic product contains a nanomaterial ingredient by looking at the ingredients list.


You may see an ingredient in the list that you have heard is a nanomaterial but is not listed with the “(nano)” suffix. It is important to remember that some ingredients that are used in the nano form can also be used in a non-nano form. For example, larger particles of titanium dioxide, which would not be labelled “(nano)”, can also be used as a UV filter and as a white colorant.

Where can I find out more?

  • There is also a specific section of the European Commission’s website on nanotechnology.

[1] Nature’s Nanostructures. Amanda S. Barnard and Haibo Guo (2012) Pan Stanford Publishing.
