Background

Vitamin A (CAS No68-26-8/11103-57-4/116-31-4) constitutes a group of lipid-soluble compounds including Retinol, Retinyl palmitate, Retinyl acetate, Retinyl linoleate, and Retinal.
The risk characterisation for generical use of Vitamin A for all age groups is based on the tolerable upper intake levels (UL) derived from earlier opinions from the Scientific Committee of Food (SCF) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
In January 2012, the Commission received some documents from German authorities requesting a safety assessment of Vitamin A in cosmetics products. According to the Member State, the use of retinol and its esters in cosmetics should be restricted in view of increasing number of products containing Vitamin A, increasing concentrations and/or greater penetration (e.g. as a result of packaging in liposomes) and the fact that the UL is already exceeded by some parts of the population.

For full background information, see the article **

**Vitamin A: request for Opinion to SCCS, CosmeticOBS, 6 July 2015

Opinion

1. On the basis of data provided does the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) consider Vitamin A (Retinol, Retinyl palmitate, Retinyl acetate, Retinyl linoleate, and Retinal) safe when used as cosmetic ingredient:
a) in body lotions up to the maximum concentration …