Titanium Dioxide In Cosmetics-Does Titanium Dioxide Contain Iron

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a chemical compound that consists of titanium and oxygen. It is a white, powdery substance that is commonly used as a pigment in paints, plastics, papers, and in sunscreen products as a UV blocking agent.

Pure titanium dioxide does not contain iron. However, during the manufacturing process of titanium dioxide, especially when it is produced by the sulfate process, iron can be introduced as an impurity. In fact, small amounts of iron can be present in the raw materials or can be introduced during the reaction process. Iron can also be present intentionally in some grades of titanium dioxide because it can modify the properties of the pigment, such as its color and opacity.

Therefore, while titanium dioxide itself does not inherently contain iron, commercial grades of the compound may contain trace amounts of iron due to impurities or intentional additives. The presence and concentration of iron would depend on the specific manufacturing process and the intended use of the titanium dioxide product.