Final Report On the Safety Assessment of Mink Oil

Abstract

Mink Oil is obtained from the subdermal fatty tissues of the mink. The oil is a mixture of the natural glycerides of 14-20 carbon chain fatty acids. Mink Oil is used in cosmetic formulations as a hair conditioning agent, an occlusive skin conditioning agent, and as a surfactant. Current data on concentration of use is limited. A Mink Oil cream was noncomedogenic in rabbits following repeated (5 days a week for 2 weeks) applications, although minimal hyperemia and hyperplasia were noted at the treated site toward the end of the treatment. No sensitization was observed in animals treated with Mink Oil under occlusive patches, but sensitization was seen in animals treated with intradermal injections of Mink Oil in a maximization procedure. Mink Oil was not an ocular irritant in animals. Clinical studies done under occlusive patches found no irritation. In another clinical test, a rinse-off product containing 2.8% Mink Oil was applied to the skin for five consecutive days without rinsing. Some erythema was noticed, but in a repeat of the test, no erythema was seen. Mink Oil is reported to provide a minimal sun protection factor (SPF), but did not appear to increase the SPF when added to a solution containing recognized sunscreens. Studies using human volunteers indicate that Mink Oil applied to the skin remains on the skin surface. Additional safety test data are needed, including a 28-day dermal toxicity study, ultraviolet (UV) absorption data (and if the ingredient absorbs in the UVA or UVB region, then photosensitization data are also needed), and method of manufacture (extraction). Independent of these data needs, it is concluded that the total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)/pesticide contamination should not exceed 40 ppm with not more than 10 ppm for any specific residue. Because there are additional data needed in order to complete the safety assessment, the overall conclusion is that the available data are insufficient to support the safety of Mink Oil for use in cosmetic products.