Titanium dioxide is a white pigment (CI 77891) and a UV filter. It is allowed in cosmetics, but since 1 October 2021 the EU restricts powder forms that can be breathed in: up to 25% in loose face powders, 1.4% in hair sprays for consumers, and no use where the user’s lungs could be exposed. Türkiye’s annex has the same entry.
EU
Restricted
Rule
Restricted when in powder form with 1% or more fine particles
Regulation
(EU) 2021/850
Applies from
1 October 2021
Loose face powder
Up to 25%
Hair aerosol sprays
1.4% for consumers, 1.1% for professionals
Elsewhere
Pigmentary form only; not where the user’s lungs could be exposed
Also listed
Colourant CI 77891 (Annex IV, 143); UV filter up to 25% (Annex VI, 27 and 27a nano)
Türkiye
Restricted
Rule
Same restriction as the EU
Also listed
Colourant (Ek IV, 143); UV filter up to 25% (Ek VI, 27 and 27a nano)
Both markets apply the same entries.
INCI name | TITANIUM DIOXIDE |
|---|---|
Chemical name | Titanium dioxide in powder form containing 1 % or more of particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm |
CAS | 13463-67-7, 1317-70-0, 1317-80-2 |
EC | 236-675-5, 215-280-1, 215-282-2 |
EU entry | Annex III · 321 · (EU) 2021/850 |
Entry updated | 23/03/2022 |
Conditions · EU text
Max 25 %;
a) (b) Only in the pigmentary form (c) Not to be used in applications that may lead to exposure of the end-user’s lungs by inhalation
Max 1,4 % for general consumers, and 1.1 % for professional use.
a) (b) Only in the pigmentary form (c) Not to be used in applications that may lead to exposure of the end-user’s lungs by inhalation
a) (b) Only in the pigmentary form (c) Not to be used in applications that may lead to exposure of the end-user’s lungs by inhalation
The EU entry is from the Commission’s CosIng file of 13 Oct 2026; Türkiye’s from the current annex text on mevzuat.gov.tr, read 2 Nov 2026.
In 2020 titanium dioxide powder with 1% or more fine particles was classified as a suspected carcinogen by inhalation (category 2), and the cosmetics restriction followed. The EU courts annulled that classification (General Court 2022, Court of Justice 1 August 2025). The cosmetics annex entries were still in place in the Commission’s file of 13 October 2026, so they apply until the Commission amends them.
No. It is allowed as a colourant and as a UV filter. Only powder forms with fine particles are restricted: 25% in loose face powder, 1.4% in hair sprays for consumers, and no use where the lungs could be exposed.
The annex entries were set in 2021 on the basis of that classification and are part of the Cosmetics Regulation in their own right. They apply until the Commission amends them.
