I would like to respond to recent concerns that have arisen over the use of titanium dioxide in personal products. Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral that is white, opaque, odorless, absorbent and found in a range of products, including cosmetics.  It is a base ingredient in mineral foundations and is one of the ingredients (along with zinc oxide) consistently recommended as a safe and effective sunscreen.  The recent controversy has arisen over a report that titanium dioxide is carcinogenic.  Is this report true?  The answer lies in the size of the particles.

A host of studies have found that titanium dioxide is an inert, non-toxic, safe pigment with no known adverse effects.  Regulatory bodies including the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), World Health Organization, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, do not list titanium dioxide as a carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen, comedogen, toxin, or as a trigger for contact dermatitis.  But concern has arisen because of a study by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) that declared carcinogenicity of titanium dioxide in rats.  This conclusion was based on the development of slight lung tumors in rats, which were chronically exposed to excessive amounts of dust for six hours a day for two years.  They also noted though that the biological relevance of this data to lung tumors in humans was negligible.  It must be emphasized that rat lungs process particles very differently compared to larger animals.  In addition, this sensitivity in the lungs was not observed in other rodent species such as mice and hamsters.  The use of the singular rat model is misleading and extrapolation to the human model is not valid. 

That said, one form of the mineral may be of concern: when titanium dioxide is in nanoparticles.  Mineral particles can be reduced to previously unimagined miniature sizes.  The cosmetic industry is attracted to ever-smaller particles because they produce a powder that is colorless and absorbs ultraviolet light while leaving no chalky residue.  Obviously these are desirable qualities in cosmetics and sunscreen.  The problem is that these tiny particles can be absorbed into the skin over time and may cause cellular damage.  The fear is that absorption of these nanoparticles could lead to cancer.  Be assured that the Abbey does not use nanoparticle sized titanium dioxide in its products. 

Coarse or fine particles of titanium dioxide (1.0 - >10 microns) are safe and effective at deflecting and absorbing ultraviolet light, protecting the skin from skin cancer.  Be assured that the particle size of titanium dioxide used in Abbey St. Clare products is always above 1.3 microns, which is well within the safe limits.  We all must balance our desire to look beautiful with the need to stay healthy by making wise choices.  Keeping yourself an informed consumer is your best weapon against misinformation.