What is the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board (CIR)?

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board (CIR)

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) is an independent, self-regulating panel of skin care experts that uses evidence based data to find out if products are safe for cosmetic formulations.

The CIR is the best source to find out if skin care ingredients are safe.

Since forming in 1976 under the Personal Care Council, this panel has verified the safety of thousands of common skin care ingredients and they serve as the highest authority on the subject.

The CIR is supported by the personal care council as well as public health organizations like the FDA, but their research is conducted independently and under strict criteria. (1)

The processes used by the CIR to qualify the safety of an ingredient are standardized, robust, and inclusive of the most important considerations regarding safety.

Many cosmeceutical companies depend on reports by the CIR for their trustworthy analyses of safety considerations.

The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology outlined their procedures and veracity in writings since the 1980’s. (2)

This panel is composed of 7 highly experienced industry professionals, from toxicologists to clinical research doctors, dermatologists, and more.

There is at least 1 member representing each of the following specific areas of interest:

a dermatologist represents the American Academy of Dermatology,

a toxicologist represents the Society of Toxicology,

a consumer representative for the Consumer Federation of America,

an industry cosmetic scientist

Why is the Cosmetic ingredient review important?

Independent studies of ingredient safety is a crucial feature of public health. Understanding the risks and benefits of an ingredient that will be placed on the skin has value that cannot be overstated.

If panels like the CIR did not conduct thorough investigations of ingredient safety, the average consumer would be at great risk.

The ability to ensure that a product is safe, or at least safe for your skin, could not be more important for doctors and patients alike.

While understanding the grade of a product’s safety is itself vital, the CIR includes substantial dossiers on each of their subjects which provides transparency to consumers.

Organizations like the CIR do not simply have us “take their word for it” in regards to product safety; they show their work. This kind of transparency enables consumers to make the best decisions about their skin care

What does it mean when a product is graded safe by the CIR?

Whenever a product is graded as “safe” or “unsafe” by the CIR, specific considerations are provided that illuminate particular situations where an ingredient would or would not be acceptable.

For example, the CIR’s report on a hypothetical ingredient may indicate its safe use on any non-psoriatic skin; then elaborating on the concerns regarding psoriasis. Every ingredient has different considerations.

This is to say, just because a product is described as “safe for use” by the CIR does not mean it is correct for every skin type.

In general, skin care manufacturers and dermatologists are aware of these considerations when they formulate skin care products or offer prescriptions. This way, they can design products aimed at treating specific conditions and skin types.

For that reason, when we mention the CIR safety ratings of an ingredient in our blogs, we try to identify some of the considerations they explain in their reports. There are a number of other safety verification organizations such as the EWG, so always feel free to conduct extra research when you are unsure about an ingredient

Is the CIR the regulatory body that designates skin care products as clean?

“Clean Skin Care” is not an official term and does not have any agreed upon standards as to what it means. The term clean is meaningless without a list of standards and requirements.

The CIR does not use the words toxic or nontoxic either. The CIR designates products as safe or unsafe.

You will sometimes hear the term GRAS which stands for “Generally Recognized as Safe”. The CIR does not grant GRAS status to an ingredient, rather the ingredient must follow guidelines ifrom the FDA included in section 201 (s) and 409 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Is the CIR trustworthy?

There are many attempts to label products and categorize their level of safety. For example, Walgreens, CVS, Target, Sephora and other stores have guidelines they use to label products as clean.

Many of these clean standards do not agree with each other.

The Environmental Working Group rates products on a numerical scale according to reports found in the scientific literature but the do not seem to consider the impact value of the journals they quote so some of their sources are not from respected scientific publications or have been disputed.

At the end of the day, who you decide to trust with your information is up to you; but my opinion as a dermatologist is that the CIR is the most trustworthy source of cosmetic ingredient safety information. Their meetings are transparent and published and easily found in Google Scholar.

If you are ever concerned about the safety of an ingredient in your skin care products, go to Google Scholar and search this: ingredient name, safety, CIR

The CIR’s findings on ingredient safety are also available for free on their website.

What’s important is knowing that if the CIR says something is bad for eczema, it probably is, and if it says something is good for sensitive skin, that’s likely also true. At the end of the day, their research and findings are public information designed meticulously to keep consumers safe from the wrong ingredients.

However, always remember that your Baumann Skin type matters when choosing ingredients that are safe for your skin.

To make sure you have all the information you need to make educated decisions on skin care ingredients, take our questionnaire to find your Baumann Skin Type. You will receive dermatologist recommended skin care regimens customized for your skin type and educational material to help you understand what ingredients are right for you.

To find information about specific ingredients- visit our cosmeceutical ingredient dictionary.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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