Zea Mays Starch (corn starch) is a plant-derived powder used in cosmetics to absorb moisture and oil, provide a soft texture, and act as a bulking or anti-caking agent. It is generally considered safe and well-tolerated in topical formulations.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin irritation or redness | Rare | Mild and uncommon, typically in sensitive individuals. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | Isolated reports, may relate to corn or processing residues. |
| Pore congestion/comedogenicity | Rare | Possible in heavy occlusive products on acne-prone skin. |
| Microbial growth support if formulation poorly preserved | Rare | Starches can support microbial growth without adequate preservation. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.