Common Name(s): Calcium phosphate,calcium mineral,abrasive filler oral care mineral

CAS Number: N/a

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Calcium phosphate provides mild mechanical abrasion for plaque and surface stain removal in dental formulations, releases calcium and phosphate ions into saliva for enamel remineralisation support, builds opacity in cosmetic formulations as an inorganic white filler, and provides a safe inorganic framework for controlled release applications.

Why It's Used: Formulators choose calcium phosphate in dental pastes and oral care formulations for its direct mineral compatibility with tooth enamel — the calcium and phosphate ions it releases are the exact building blocks of hydroxyapatite enamel [ca₁₀(po₄)₆(oh)₂]. this ionic compatibility means the mineral provides both abrasive cleaning function and remineralisation ion supplementation from the same ingredient. in skin care, calcium-based minerals provide opacity, skin conditioning through ca²⁺ ion release, and enzyme cofactor support for skin barrier maintenance enzymes including transglutaminase (which crosslinks cornified envelope proteins) that require ca²⁺ for activity.

How It Works: Calcium phosphate works through its calcium and phosphate ion dissociation chemistry: calcium phosphate minerals have limited but non-zero water solubility — the specific solubility product (ksp) determines the equilibrium ion concentration. at the tooth surface, ca²⁺ and po₄³⁻ ions released from calcium phosphate increase the ion activity product in the salivary diffusion layer, creating supersaturation relative to enamel crystal solubility. when this supersaturation exceeds the enamel ksp, hydroxyapatite crystal growth is thermodynamically favoured — the ions are incorporated into demineralised enamel lesions from the concentration gradient-driven mineral deposition. for skin care applications, ca²⁺ ions interact with calmodulin and calcium-sensing receptors on keratinocytes, modulating the differentiation programme that produces the cornified envelope and barrier lipid layers critical for skin barrier function.

Typically Found In: Oral care dental,mineral skin care

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – mineral / metal active

Secondary Functions: Antimicrobial,sebum regulation,antioxidant enzyme cofactor

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–50%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – mineral

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Mineral/inorganic compound. cosmetic or pharmaceutical grade.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating at recommended concentrations.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes at recommended concentrations

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile at cosmetic concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Niacinamide,salicylic acid,other actives

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities at standard concentrations

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Calcium phosphate remineralisation ksp chemistry: hydroxyapatite ksp = [ca²⁺]¹⁰[po₄³⁻]⁶[oh⁻]² = 10⁻¹¹⁷ in physiological conditions. when ca²⁺ and po₄³⁻ concentrations in the oral fluid/salivary diffusion layer exceed the thermodynamic precipitation threshold (ion activity product > ksp), spontaneous crystal deposition occurs. dental mineral formulations work by maintaining ca²⁺ and po₄³⁻ at or above the critical supersaturation threshold long enough for crystal growth to occur on the enamel surface — the concentration × contact time product determines the extent of remineralisation.

Last Verified: 2026-03-12

Primary Sources: Cosing database,calcium phosphate calcium mineral oral care remineralisation review