undefined 1
undefined 2
undefined 3
undefined 4
undefined 5
undefined 6
undefined 7
Corn (Zea Mays) Starch
AKA “Zea Mays Starch”
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Corn (Zea Mays) starch
AKA: Zea Mays Starch
Ingredient · Skin Conditioning · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
Corn (Zea Mays) Starch is a cosmetic ingredient. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
CAS #
223239-90-5
Form
Powder
See origin →
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
Traditional Use
Cornstarch has been used for centuries in traditional cosmetics as an absorbent powder and gentle skin protectant. Widely employed in Asian, European, and indigenous beauty preparations for oil control and as a base for powders.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Comedogenic
Concentration Guide
98%
0%100%
Reg. Limit
FDA OTC limit: 98% (Skin Protectant). Source: FDA OTC Monograph, 21 CFR 347.10.
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Final Report of the Safety Assessment of Cosmetic Ingredients Derived from Zea mays (corn)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
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)
→
Zea Mays Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
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
→
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR