Is Boron Nitride safe in cosmetics?
Boron Nitride has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. This ingredient has been reviewed by cir.
Boron Nitride
Also known as: Boron nitride (BN), Denka GP, EINECS 233-136-6, SP 1, UNII-2U4T60A6YD (+2 more)
INCI: BORON NITRIDE
Boron Nitride (CAS 10043-11-5) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Slip Modifier; Mattifying Agent; Opacifier; Texture Enhancer. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted; 1 safety opinion reviewed (cir). Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 10043-11-5 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Slip Modifier; Mattifying Agent; Opacifier; Texture Enhancer
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
azanylidyneborane
InChIKey
PZNSFCLAULLKQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
No FDA restrictions on boron nitride in cosmetics. Not classified as a drug ingredient, color additive, or sunscreen active. 643 formulations reported in the 2013 VCRP across eye shadows, face powders, foundations, blushers, lipsticks, nail products, and rinse-off products at concentrations up to 25%. CIR Expert Panel completed a full safety assessment published in International Journal of Toxicology (2015, Fiume et al.) and concluded safe in the present practices of use and concentration.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Boron Nitride.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Safety Opinions
Official safety assessments from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR).
cir
Verdict: safe
The CIR Expert Panel concluded that boron nitride is safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment. Author Contributions M. Fiume contributed to conception and design, contributed to acqui- sition, analysis, and interpretation, and draft
Additional Ingredient Properties
7 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
cost_pricing
{"cost_tier": "mid-range", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_low": "45", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_high": "85", "natural_premium_markup_pct": "0", "organic_certified_premium_pct": "0", "supply_chain_volatility": "low", "primary_source_region": "China/US", "bulk_discount_threshold_kg": "50", "seasonal_price_variation": "low", "commodity_or_specialty": "specialty", "substitute_ingredients": "Silica, Nylon…
deodorant
{"cas_number": "10043-11-5", "ingredient_class": "other", "mechanism_of_action": "odor_absorption", "antiperspirant_efficacy_sweat_reduction_pct": "0", "deodorant_efficacy_hours": "8-12", "odor_reduction_pct": "30-50", "bacteriostatic": "no", "bactericidal": "no", "microbiome_impact": "neutral", "axillary_microbiome_effect": "varies by ingredient", "MIC_value_if_antimicrobial": "varies", "astringe…
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "no", "biodegradation_days": "non-biodegradable", "bioaccumulative": "no", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "low", "coral_reef_safe": "yes", "marine_toxicity": "very low toxicity", "freshwater_toxicity": "minimal impact", "soil_toxicity": "inert ceramic", "endocrine_disruptor": "no", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "no", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "no", "hawaii_banned": "no"…
mineral_clay
{"cas_number": "10043-11-5", "ingredient_class": "other", "chemical_formula": "BN", "mineral_origin": "synthetic", "particle_size_range_um": "0.5-10", "surface_area_m2_per_g": "3-15", "crystal_structure": "hexagonal", "color_appearance": "white", "opacity": "translucent", "refractive_index": "1.8", "oil_absorption_g_per_100g": "20-45", "water_absorption_capacity": "low", "surface_charge_at_pH_7": …
regulatory
{"eu_status": "allowed", "us_status": "allowed"}
sensory
{"silky": "powdery", "smooth, glides easily": "ultra-silky, luxurious", "dry-touch, non-greasy": "dry, velvety", "instant": "instant", "low": "low", "w/o": "w/o", "very-high": "excellent", "no": "yes", "yes": "no", "light-diffusing": "blurring", "1.40": "2.25", "transparent": "opaque", "colorless": "white", "excellent": "excellent", "light": "light", "synthetic": "synthetic"}
skin_suitability
{"oily_skin": "acceptable", "dry_skin": "acceptable", "sensitive_skin": "acceptable", "combination_skin": "acceptable", "normal_skin": "acceptable", "acne_prone": "acceptable", "rosacea": "acceptable", "eczema": "acceptable", "hyperpigmentation": "acceptable", "aging_mature": "acceptable", "dehydrated": "acceptable", "skin_benefit_primary": "texture-enhancer", "skin_benefit_secondary": "mattifying…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Absorbent
Anti-adhesive/cohesive
Conductive agent
Crystal growth modifiers (nucleating agents)
Film former
Foamant
Lubricating agent
Opacifer
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Softener and conditioner
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Boron Nitride.
Regulatory Flags
cir-reviewed
no-eu-restriction
no-fda-restriction
insoluble
no-dermal-penetration
talc-alternative
powder-safe
non-sensitizer
non-irritant
inert-mineral
Known Synonyms
Boron nitride (BN)
Denka GP
EINECS 233-136-6
SP 1
UNII-2U4T60A6YD
Elbor
[BN]
Chemical Function
Absorbent
Film former
Softener and conditioner
Opacifer
Anti-adhesive/cohesive
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Crystal growth modifiers (nucleating agents)
Lubricating agent
Regulatory Lists
CEDI
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boron Nitride allowed in the EU?
Boron Nitride EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Boron Nitride do in cosmetics?
Boron Nitride functions as: Slip Modifier; Mattifying Agent; Opacifier; Texture Enhancer. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 10043-11-5.
Is Boron Nitride used outside cosmetics?
Boron Nitride also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Boron Nitride compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
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