Safety Assessment of Silk Protein Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics

Int J Toxicol. 2020 Nov/Dec;39(3_suppl):127S-144S. doi: 10.1177/1091581820966953.

Abstract

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reviewed the safety of Hydrolyzed Silk and 9 other silk protein ingredients, which function primarily as skin and hair conditioning agents and bulking agents in cosmetic products. The Panel reviewed relevant data relating to the safety of these ingredients and concluded that 8 ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics, as described in this safety assessment, but that the available data are insufficient for determining the safety of 2 silk protein ingredients in cosmetic products, MEA-Hydrolyzed Silk and Silkworm Cocoon Extract.

Keywords: cosmetics; safety; silk proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Products / adverse effects
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Biological Products / toxicity
  • Consumer Product Safety
  • Cosmetics* / adverse effects
  • Cosmetics* / chemistry
  • Cosmetics* / toxicity
  • Female
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Rats
  • Silk* / adverse effects
  • Silk* / chemistry
  • Silk* / toxicity
  • Toxicity Tests

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Cosmetics
  • Silk