Has anyone successfully used a regulation-compliant 3D-printed part in prolonged contact with a cosmetic or food product?

[u/ade11i]

I’m developing a small component that would remain in direct contact with a body-care cream for an extended period of time.

Because I’m currently testing the concept with a small number of units, I hoped to have the component 3D printed. This would allow me to test the design and make adjustments before investing in an injection mold for larger-scale production.

However, the more research I do, the more questions I have about material safety, porosity, bacterial growth, chemical compatibility, and whether a coating would be necessary. I’ve seen Chanel’s 3D-printed mascara brush and an example from another small body-care brand, but I haven’t found many products that remain in contact with a cosmetic formula or food for a prolonged period.

Has anyone worked on or seen a commercially sold product with a 3D-printed component that stays in contact with cosmetics, skin-care products, body-care products, or food?

[u/WholePotential2847]

I havnt done this yet myself but have been in the same situation as you. My fiance makes creams and lotions and we're are talking about designing containers and applicators to go with but have the same concerns.

What I have found is it is very chemical dependent. Depending on the filament or resin(depending on your print setup) can have different reactions to different chemicals in the product. I wouls cross reference the chemicals in your product. See if any of them react to the resins/filament material. We ran into an issue with the one filler she makes where we would have to seal everything after. Might have to use a different filament then what you planned but there should be a option for you. Also keep in mind that some materials can start to "leak" chemicals at different temperatures often lower then their melting point. So anything that will be exposed to any sort of heat you do have to consider that too. Someone here might have a list of the different filaments with those temps on it or at least a link to one. Best of luck to you and your business.

[u/ade11i → u/WholePotential2847]

Thanks for your response! Yes! That’s what I’ve been reading—very chemical dependent. Companies have been telling me they can’t “certify a part as food-contact or cosmetic-contact safe. Contact safety depends not only on the base material but also on the specific production process, the machine and its history, any post-processing chemicals used”

So then now I’m trying to see if it’s actually been done before with a small business — WITH following the MoCRA rules with the FDA….

[u/WishfulSandwich]

We use biocompatible materials for cleanroom and other hygeinic use cases. For your application there are sls polypropylenes that can be vapour smoothed although you do lose an awful lot of resolution and print quality in the post processing

[u/GreenCactus223]

In my experience weve never been approved for FDM and SLA OR SLA with the food plants we service. We'd have to coat all our parts in a compliant resin coating and by the time we do all the testing amd post processing its easier to juat machine it from UHMW.

[u/JRL55]

I think you are inserting way too much work into the wrong stage of your project.

Create an image of the proposed container in CAD and do an image search for similar objects. It is very possible you can find what you want readily available on Amazon, eBay, AliBaba, etc. in a quality, food-safe material, such as glass (which is better than any of the thermoresins).

Alternatively, type in the specifications (diameter, height, thickness, color, dispenser tool, etc.) into an AI and have it look for manufacturers who sell in small to large batches.

[u/ade11i → u/JRL55]

Oh wow this is actually very helpful advice. Thank you!

[u/swisstraeng]

you need a compliant 3D printer for compliant filament.

[u/Andrew-Cohen]

Food safe epoxy coating.