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Zea mays (Corn) starch
AKA “Corn Starch”
Ingredient
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Ingredient Facts
Zea mays (Corn) starch
AKA: Corn Starch
Ingredient · Abrasive · EWG: 1
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Barrier Support
Clean
Zea Mays (Corn) Starch is a cosmetic ingredient used as abrasive, absorbent, anticaking. Rated low hazard by EWG.
CAS #
9005-25-8
Form
Powder
See origin →
Functions
Abrasive
Absorbent
Anticaking
Skin Protecting
Helps rebuild and strengthen your skin barrier — the invisible shield that keeps moisture in and irritants out. Essential after over-exfoliating or harsh weather.
Viscosity Controlling
Nourishes & Protects
Traditional Use
Used as a traditional body powder and skin-soothing agent in indigenous cultures and folk medicine. Adopted in modern cosmetics as an absorbent and texturizing ingredient.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Oiliness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
ewg-1
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.5%
0%1%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 0.5%. Maximum secondary amine content: Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex III (Restricted Substances), Entry 61
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
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Deposition of plant lipids after single application of a lip care product determined by confocal raman spectroscopy, corneometry and transepidermal wa
Bielfeldt S, Blaak J, Laing S, Schleißinger M, Theiss C et al.
International journal of cosmetic science, 2019
→
Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review.
Bruno Burlando, Laura Cornara
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2013
→
Capacitive sensor-based artificial stratum corneum for skin irritating assessment of botanical insect repellent products and a de-irritation formulati
Cheng YH, Chen PC, Chen HY, Cheng CT, Hou YT et al.
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2026
→
Capacitive sensor-based artificial stratum corneum for skin irritating assessment of botanical insect repellent products and a de-irritation formulati
Cheng YH, Chen PC, Chen HY, Cheng CT, Hou YT et al.
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2026
→
Inhibitory effect of corn silk on skin pigmentation.
Choi SY, Lee Y, Kim SS, Ju HM, Baek JH et al.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2014
→
Final Report of the Safety Assessment of Cosmetic Ingredients Derived from Zea mays (corn)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Corn Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Corn Gluten Amino Acids
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Corn Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Corn Oil PEG-6 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Corn Oil PEG-8 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Corn Starch Modified
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Corn Starch/Acrylamide/Sodium Acrylate Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Cornamide DEA
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Cornamide/Cocamide DEA
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Hydroxyethyl Ether
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Corn Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-5 Hydrogenated Corn Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Corn Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
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Potassium Cornate
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Salicornia herbacea extract
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Zea Mays (Corn) Fruit
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Germ Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Oil Unsaponifiables
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Enhancement of stratum corneum lipid structure improves skin barrier function and protects against irritation in adults with dry, eczema-prone skin.
Danby SG, Andrew PV, Kay LJ, Pinnock A, Chittock J et al.
The British journal of dermatology, 2022
→
Food uses and health effects of corn oil.
Dupont J, White PJ, Carpenter MP, Schaefer EJ, Meydani SN et al.
Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 1990
→
Food uses and health effects of corn oil.
Dupont J, White PJ, Carpenter MP, Schaefer EJ, Meydani SN et al.
Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 1990
→
Influence of the penetration enhancer isopropyl myristate on stratum corneum lipid model membranes revealed by neutron diffraction and (2)H NMR experi
Eichner A, Stahlberg S, Sonnenberger S, Lange S, Dobner B et al.
Biochimica et biophysica acta. Biomembranes, 2017
→
Corn Gluten Amino Acids
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Corn Starch Modified
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Cornamide/Cocamide DEA
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Hydroxyethyl Ether
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Salicornia herbacea extract
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Germ Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Novel design of pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid and sodium dilauramidoglutamide lysine complex for targeted drug delivery to human stratum corneum.
Fujii MY, Manabe H, Ogura T
International journal of pharmaceutics, 2025
→
Dietary intervention of prebiotic partially hydrolyzed guar gum improves skin viscoelasticity, stratum corneum hydration, and reduction of trans-epide
Kapoor MP, Abe A, Morishima S, Nakajima A, Ozeki M et al.
Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition, 2025
→
Dietary intervention of prebiotic partially hydrolyzed guar gum improves skin viscoelasticity, stratum corneum hydration, and reduction of trans-epide
Kapoor MP, Abe A, Morishima S, Nakajima A, Ozeki M et al.
Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition, 2025
→
Replacing soybean meal with gelatin extracted from cow skin and corn protein concentrate as a protein source in broiler diets.
Khalaji S, Manafi M, Olfati Z, Hedyati M, Latifi M et al.
Poultry science, 2016
→
Potential Photoprotective Effect of Dietary Corn Silk Extract on Ultraviolet B-Induced Skin Damage.
Kim YH, Cho A, Kwon SA, Kim M, Song M et al.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2019
→
In vitro eye irritancy test of lauryl derivatives using the reconstructed rabbit corneal epithelium model.
Matsuda S, Hisama M, Shibayama H, Itou N, Iwaki M
Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA, 2009
→
In vitro eye irritancy test of lauryl derivatives using the reconstructed rabbit corneal epithelium model.
Matsuda S, Hisama M, Shibayama H, Itou N, Iwaki M
Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA, 2009
→
Relationship between NMF (lactate and potassium) content and the physical properties of the stratum corneum in healthy subjects.
Nakagawa N, Sakai S, Matsumoto M, Yamada K, Nagano M et al.
The Journal of investigative dermatology, 2004
→
Analysis of flour and food samples for cry9C from bioengineered corn.
Orlandi PA, Lampel KA, South PK, Assar SK, Carter L et al.
Journal of food protection, 2002
→
Growth performance and carcass composition of turkey hens fed corn gluten feed.
Owings WJ, Sell JL, Ferket P, Hasiak RJ
Poultry science, 1988
→
Strengthening the Skin Barrier by Using a Late Cornified ...
Mikaël Pancarte, Julie Leignadier, Séverine Courrech, Guy Serre, Joan Attia, Nathalie Jonca
Experimental dermatology, 2024
→
Superior effect of isostearyl isostearate on improvement in stratum corneum water permeability barrier function as examined by the plastic occlusion s
Pennick G, Harrison S, Jones D, Rawlings AV
International journal of cosmetic science, 2010
→
Polyglycerol fatty acid ester surfactant-based microemulsions for targeted delivery of ceramide AP into the stratum corneum: formulation, characterisa
Sahle FF, Metz H, Wohlrab J, Neubert RH
European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V, 2012
→
Stratum corneum compliance enhances tactile sensitivity through increasing skin deformation: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Sakaguchi S, Saito K, Arakawa N, Konyo M
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2024
→
Synthesis of specific deuterated derivatives of the long chained stratum corneum lipids [EOS] and [EOP] and characterization using neutron scattering.
Sonnenberger S, Eichner A, Schmitt T, Hauß T, Lange S et al.
Journal of labelled compounds & radiopharmaceuticals, 2017
→
Antioxidative and skin-whitening effect of an aqueous extract of Salicornia herbacea.
Sung JH, Park SH, Seo DH, Lee JH, Hong SW et al.
Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry, 2009
→
Corneal antinociceptive effect of (-)-α-bisabolol.
Teixeira GF, Costa FN, Campos AR
Pharmaceutical biology, 2017
→
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR