INCI Name
Zea Mays Starch
Botanical Name
Zea mays
Corn-derived starch used widely as a natural absorbent and texture enhancer. It tempers surface shine, improves slip and spread in creams and makeup, and can function as an anticaking and viscosity-controlling agent. Safety assessments by the Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety support its use in cosmetics at typical practice levels.
Absorbent, mattifier, anticaking agent, viscosity-controlling, abrasive (mild)
Product Type(s):
Typical Usage Range:
0.5–3% in lotions (tack reduction); up to 30% in cream-to-powder systems; up to 99% in talc-free body powders.
Reduces shine, improves slip and spread, decreases tack/greasy feel in emulsions
Primary Components:
Amylopectin, amylose
Generally well tolerated; avoid inhalation of loose powder; discontinue use if irritation occurs.
Preferred Extraction Method:
Wet-milled & mechanically refined from corn endosperm
Cosmetic- or food-grade; non-GMO/organic options; finely milled/consistent particle size; keep dry during storage
Explore additional safety and regulatory data from trusted external sources:
*The ingredient details on this page are intended for general educational use and should not be considered exhaustive. Additional properties, uses, or safety considerations may be available from other sources. Root & Ritual Apothecary is not affiliated with Cosmetics Info, Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), INCIDecoder, SkinSafe, EWG Skin Deep, or SpecialChem. External links are provided solely for informational purposes; Root & Ritual does not control or guarantee the accuracy, methodology, or conclusions of third-party sources, including consumer rating systems such as EWG.
Cornstarch
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