Description

Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined from the earth then further processed and purified for use in consumer products. Also known as titanium (IV) oxide or titania, it is the naturally occurring compound comprised of the metal titanium and oxygen. Titanium dioxide is safely used in many products from paint and food to drugs and cosmetics. It also plays a critical role in some sunscreen products as a way to protect skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Titanium dioxide is used as a colorant to make cosmetics and personal care products that are applied to the skin (including the eye area), nails, and lips white in color. It helps to increase the opaqueness, and reduce the transparency of product formulas. Titanium dioxide also absorbs, reflects, or scatters light (including ultraviolet radiation from the sun), which can cause products to deteriorate.

Titanium dioxide is an important active ingredient used in some sunscreen products. Titanium dioxide is generally a white powder that gives products a white color. However, when it is made into a very fine powder, it no longer gives the product a white color. It is this fine material, sometimes called microfine or nanoscale titanium dioxide that is used in many OTC sunscreen products.

As a pigment, titanium dioxide is used to enhance the white color of certain foods, such as dairy products and candy, and to add brightness to toothpaste and some medications. It is also used as a flavor enhancer in a variety of non-white foods, including dried vegetables, nuts, seeds, soups, and mustard, as well as beer and wine.

Titanium Dioxide is used as an opacifying agent and a colorant. In OTC drug products, it is used as a sunscreen agent

The biggest health effect of using titanium dioxide creams is reduced risk of skin cancer. More than 2 million cases of skin cancer occur each year, notes the American Academy of Dermatology. Sunburns are associated with increased risk for melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It is not a chemical sunscreen and therefore nonreactive for people allergic to chemical sunscreens.