Safety Assessment of Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Poly(3-Hydroxyoctanoic Acid), and Polylactic Acid as Used in Cosmetics

Preethi S. Raj, Wilma F. Bergfeld, Donald V. Belsito, David E. Cohen, Curtis D. Klaassen, Daniel C. Liebler, Allan E. Rettie, David Ross, Thomas J. Slaga, Paul W. Snyder, Susan C. Tilton, Monice M. Fiume, Bart Heldreth, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Former Senior Scientific Analyst, Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety Member, Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety Former Member, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Senior Director, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Executive Director

International Journal of Toxicology

Published online on July 24, 2026

Abstract

International Journal of Toxicology, Ahead of Print.
The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Poly(3-Hydroxyoctanoic Acid), and Polylactic Acid as used in cosmetic formulations. These ingredients are reported to function in cosmetics as a non-...