Parabens

Parabens are a preservative widely used in foods, cosmetics, household goods, and pharmaceutical products to prevent the propagation of microorganisms. Parabens commonly used in cosmetics are methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. After years of safety assessments and research, South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and other authorities around the world have evaluated that parabens are safe when used in a manner that does not exceed certain concentration limits. Consequently, the MFDS has guidelines on the types and amount of parabens permitted for use in each product category, such as cosmetics, quasi-drugs, hygiene products, and foods.

However, Amorepacific understands that our customers may have concerns about parabens and their safety, and we want to emphasize that we do not use parabens in any of our products. Instead, we either replace them with alternatives or develop products that do not contain preservatives. We also produce containers that can prevent microbial growth during product use. We want to assure our customers who purchase and use our products that we will continue to follow internal safety standards, which are stricter than required by law, and reinforce firm controls on controversial ingredients.

Triclosan

Triclosan has been widely used as a preservative to slow or stop the growth of microbes such as bacteria and fungi, lowering the risks of infections. After years of safety assessments and research by South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and other regulators around the world, triclosan has been evaluated as safe within certain concentration limits in permitted product types. According to South Korea’s cosmetics law, it is acceptable to use triclosan as a preservative within a 0.3% concentration for wash-off products (such as body cleansers), deodorants (excluding spray-type products), face powders, and concealers only. Other products are prohibited from using it.

However, Amorepacific understands that our customers may have concerns about triclosan. Therefore we do not use it in any of our products. We want to assure our customers who purchase and use our products that we will continue to follow internal safety standards, which are stricter than required by law, and reinforce firm controls on controversial ingredients.

Phthalates

Phthalates are a class of plasticizers. These are substances that are added to plastics to increase their flexibility and durability. South Korea’s cosmetics law prohibits the use of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) as ingredients for cosmetic products. In fact, phthalates of any kind are not used as a cosmetics ingredient. However, there may be cases where traces of phthalates transude from plastic containers and their parts to the content. South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has guidelines for the safety of phthalates that are not used as an ingredient but can be detected. The quantified maximum limit of their unintentional residues is 100ppm. We want to assure our customers who purchase and use our products that we will continue to follow internal safety standards, which are stricter than required by law. From the selection of raw materials to manufacturing the final product, Amorepacific implements rigorous quality controls in each step, including in the container selection process.

1,4-Dioxane

While the use of 1,4-Dioxane in cosmetics is prohibited, traces of it may remain as an impurity residue from the process of synthesizing raw materials or the process of manufacturing. South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) requires by its Regulations on the Safety Standards for Cosmetics that the maximum unintentional residue of 1,4-Dioxane should not be greater than 100 ppm. We want to assure our customers who purchase and use our products that we will continue to follow internal safety standards, which are stricter than required by law. From the selection of raw materials to manufacturing the final product, Amorepacific implements rigorous quality controls in each step.

Heavy Metals

Heavy metals are naturally present in soil, oceans, rivers, and the air. Therefore, it is technically impossible to remove them completely. However, several governments around the world have set maximum residue limits for the safety of drinking water, foods, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, and others. South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) also requires by its Regulations on the Safety Standards for Cosmetics the maximum unintentional residue limits of heavy metals including lead, nickel, arsenic, mercury, antimony, and cadmium in cosmetics. We want to assure our customers who purchase and use our products that we will continue to follow internal safety standards, which are stricter than required by law. From the selection of raw materials to manufacturing the final product, Amorepacific implements rigorous quality controls in each step.