Activated Charcoal Powder

CAS: 7440-44-0 / 16291-96-6 / 64365-11-3. INCI: Charcoal Powder. CIR Expert Panel concluded safe in cosmetics at present practices of use and concentration (Final Report, December 2023). EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009: not listed in Annex II (prohibited), Annex III (restricted), Annex V (preservatives), or Annex VI (UV filters); permitted without restriction for non-colorant functions. Not listed in EU Annex IV as an approved colorant. FDA: NOT approved as a color additive under FD&C Act Section 721 / 21 CFR Parts 70-82 — use to impart color in US cosmetics constitutes a federal violation. Non-colorant uses (absorbent, abrasive, opacifying) permitted in the US without color additive approval. Genotoxicity: negative across full battery. Scope limited to plant-derived charcoal; petroleum-derived charcoal excluded from CIR assessment.

FDA does not approve activated charcoal as a color additive for cosmetics under the FD&C Act. Products using charcoal to impart color are in violation of federal law. Non-colorant functions (absorbent, abrasive, opacifying) are permitted without color additive listing. VCRP 2023 data: ingredient reported in 231 formulations under Charcoal Powder (eyeliners category) and 53 formulations under Activated Charcoal separately; also reported in 24 shampoo formulations. CIR Final Safety Assessment published December 2023 covering Charcoal, Charcoal Extract, and Charcoal Powder (including activated charcoal); scope explicitly limited to plant-derived sources.