BACILLUS
Other
Moderate
About BACILLUS
A genus of rod-shaped bacteria with diverse species ranging from probiotic to pathogenic, requiring species-level identification for safety assessment.
Detailed Analysis
Bacillus is a genus of Gram-positive, spore-forming rod-shaped bacteria found widely in nature. Safety varies dramatically by species: Bacillus subtilis (used in probiotics and some cosmetics) is considered non-pathogenic, while Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) is a select agent. The EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 does not list the genus Bacillus as a whole in Annex II (banned) or III (restricted), but any ingredient containing Bacillus species requires species-level identification and safety data. Spore-forming capacity raises preservation and stability concerns in aqueous cosmetic formulations. The SCCS has noted concerns about Bacillus species in microbiome cosmetics due to potential opportunistic infection risk.
Skin Benefits
- ✓ Some species produce beneficial metabolites (e.g., Bacillus subtilis kinased spores)
- ✓ Potential for microbiome-modulating effects
Known Concerns
- ⚠ Species-level safety varies significantly
- ⚠ Spore-forming capacity complicates preservative efficacy
- ⚠ Potential opportunistic pathogen in damaged skin or immunocompromised users
- ⚠ Lack of species-specific SCCS safety assessment
Safety Score
Moderate
Based on EU regulatory data, published safety research, and ingredient function analysis.
References
EU CosIng Database
European Commission cosmetic ingredient registry
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