A-Z of Cosmetic Ingredients and Terms
GBL has been classified as a Class B drug by the Home Office in order to control the illegal and abusive use of GBL, which is a precursor to the drug GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate). This is also a class B drug.
However, GBL may be safely used in cosmetic products; for example, as an ingredient to bind the formulation together. The Home Office recognises the safe use of GBL in cosmetic products and legitimate uses of GBL are permitted whilst the illegal use and supply of the substance is legislated against.
GBL is not widely used in cosmetic products. When it is used, manufacturers usually also include high levels of intensely bitter tasting ingredients such as denatonium benzoate, which is commonly used as an alcohol denaturant, to make it unsuitable for ingestion. This is to reduce any potential for possible product abuse.
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