Calendula Safety in Cosmetics to be Reviewed

WASHINGTON--The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) board, an expert panel of scientists, dermatologists, pharmacologists and toxicologists, and an independent branch of the Personal Care Products Council, will discuss the safety of Calendula officinalis in cosmetics at its upcoming meeting, set for Sept. 22-23. The CIR panel will review unpublished data for inclusion in its forthcoming report, which has been expanded to include information from applicable existing CIR safety assessments and from the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) safety assessments. Additional publications will be reviewed for inclusion in the draft document. The panel has expressed several concerns about data gaps and tabled further discussion during its June 4 meeting, welcoming feedback from interested parties to provide such data. The group is looking to gain insight in these areas:

1. Since tannins comprise 6 to 10 percent of material derived from calendula, how much of the catechol component would be pyrocatechol? The panel previously determined pyrocatechol is unsafe for use in leave-on cosmetic products.
2. How much of the material derived from calendula are quinones? The panel has restricted the concentration in cosmetics of related chemicals.
3. How much of the material derived from calendula are coumarins? The panel is concerned about the limited evidence in animals regarding carcinogenicity.

The panel noted if data is not available regarding these areas, limits on the concentration of these components may be established to assure that calendula extracts are safe for use in cosmetics.

Individuals interested in providing unpublished data and related information can e-mail information to cirinfo@cir-safety.org by Aug. 8, 2008 for inclusion in the draft document.