Intelligence · Ingredients

The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.

Corn Starch

aka zea mays starch · cornstarch · maize starch

Plant-derived talc alternative in clean colour cosmetics with oil-absorbing and texture-smoothing function. Reflects clean beauty's move away from talc after asbestos contamination concerns.

Benefits
  • Absorbs excess sebum and moisture
  • Mattifying surface effect
  • Silky texture in pressed powders
  • Plant-derived talc substitute
  • Biodegradable
Example uses
  • Talc-free baked powder blushes
  • Dry shampoo formulations
  • Oil-control face powders
  • Loose setting powders
  • Mattifying primers
Formulation notes

In anhydrous powder formulations functions as dry binder and oil absorber. Moisture-sensitive manufacturing.

Watchouts

Can support microbial growth in moist applications — preservation required. Some corn allergy contact dermatitis reported.

Clean beauty perception

Strongly accepted in clean beauty — plant-derived, food-grade, talc-free.