murphyCorn (Zea Mays) Starch
AKA: Zea Mays Starch
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
OriginNative to Central America. Derived from corn kernels, the seeds of Zea mays grass native to Central America. Extracted through mechanical grinding and wet milling to separate starch granules from other kernel components.
Corn (Zea Mays) Starch is a cosmetic ingredient. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
CAS #
223239-90-5
Form
Powder
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Absorbs Excess Oil
Creates Protective Barrier
Conditions Skin
Controls Viscosity
Creates protective layer
Controls product thickness
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory0 listings
🛡️Safety-assessed0 reviews
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
2 studies / 1 irritating / 1 not irritating / reactions minimal (CIR 282)
Concentration Guide
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 98%
FDA OTC limit: 98% (Skin Protectant). Source: FDA OTC Monograph, 21 CFR 347.10.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR