Magnesium occurs in seawater and in ores such as dolomite (CaCO ₃ MgCO ₃), magnesite (MgCO ₃), and carnallite (MgCl ₂ KCl 6H ₂O).

Some websites maintain titanium dioxide is inferior to zinc oxide, another mineral sunscreen ingredient whose core characteristics are similar to those of titanium dioxide. The reality is that titanium dioxide is a great broad-spectrum SPF ingredient and is widely used in all manner of sun-protection products. What gets confusing for some consumers is trying to decipher research that ranks sunscreen ingredients by a UV spectrum graph. By most standards, broad-spectrum coverage for sunscreen ingredients is defined as one that surpasses 360 nanometers (abbreviated as “nm” - how the sun’s rays are measured). Titanium dioxide exceeds this range of protection, but depending on whose research you read, it either performs as well as or slightly below zinc oxide.

Recent analyses of food-grade TiO₂ samples have found that a significant portion of particles may be within the nanoscale. These particles (also known as nanoparticles) range in size from 1 to 100 nm, where 1 nm equals 1 billionth of a metre (the width of a typical human hair is 80,000 to 100,000 nm).

Moreover, titanium dioxide is also used in rubber formulations to improve the processing and curing properties of rubber compounds. It acts as a catalyst in the vulcanization process, speeding up the cross-linking of rubber molecules and enhancing the overall performance of the final product. This results in rubber products that are stronger, more flexible, and better suited for a wide range of applications.

Then, there’s ultrafine-grade, also known as nanoscale titanium dioxide. This is used for its ability to scatter lightly as an ultra-fine powder. This gives it the ability to lightly absorb into the skin while providing a bit of transparency. Below, we’ll go more into the cosmetic uses of these two forms of titanium dioxide.

TiO₂ comes in many different forms. However, only a few of these forms are considered food-grade (acceptable to be added to food). Many studies that raised concern about the safety of TiO₂, including the concern for genotoxicity, used forms of TiO₂ that are not considered acceptable for use in food and have different properties than food-grade TiO₂. Other studies did use food-grade TiO₂, but took steps to break the material down into smaller particles than what would normally be found in food.

5. Geographical Availability Depending on the location of businesses, suppliers with a good logistical network can ensure timely delivery and availability of stock. Local suppliers may also provide cost advantages compared to international counterparts due to reduced shipping fees.

ZnSO4+BaS→ZnS+BaSO4

The safety of the food additive E 171 was re-evaluated by the EFSA ANS Panel in 2016 in the frame of Regulation (EU) No 257/2010, as part of the re-evaluation programme for food additives authorised in the EU before 20 January 2009.