Safety Assessment of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) – Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics

Abstract

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of 9 Zingiber officinale (ginger)-derived ingredients. The majority of these ingredients are reported to function in cosmetics as skin-conditioning agents. The Panel reviewed the available data to determine the safety of these ingredients. Because final product formulations may contain multiple botanicals, each containing similar constituents of concern, formulators are advised to be aware of these constituents and to avoid reaching levels that may be hazardous to consumers. With Zingiber officinale (ginger)-derived ingredients, the Panel was concerned about the presence of potential sensitizers (e.g., citronellol) in cosmetics. Industry should continue to use good manufacturing practices to minimize impurities that could be present in botanical ingredients. The Panel concluded that 8 Zingiber officinale (ginger)-derived ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be non-sensitizing. In addition, the Panel concluded that the available data are insufficient to make a determination that Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Leaf Cell Extract is safe under the intended conditions of use in cosmetic formulations.