p-Phenylenediamine
Severity 9/10hair dye · also known as ppd, 1,4-phenylenediamine
Is p-Phenylenediamine safe?
p-Phenylenediamine carries significant published concerns (allergy risk, cancer concern).
In plain language
The permanent hair-dye chemical behind most serious dye reactions, and the sensitizer hidden in 'black henna' temporary tattoos. Always patch test 48h before coloring.
A Caredermis plain-language explanation to help you read the label — not a regulator statement. The sourced facts are the classifications and status shown on this page.
Documented concerns
Concerns marked Editorialare Caredermis' own dermatological review; the rest are drawn from official data — see the cited sources ↓
Allergy risk
9/10One of the most potent cosmetic allergens; can cause severe facial/scalp reactions; the danger in 'black henna' tattoos.
Cancer concern
Editorial4/10IARC Group 3 overall, but occupational data keeps it under scrutiny.
Official regulatory status
Pulled directly from official regulatory datasets and expert reviews — not our own judgement.
EU SCCS safety opinions
- · Opinion concerning p-Phenylenediamine
- · Opinion on p-Phenylenediamine
- · Memorandum on Hair Dye Substances and their Skin Sensitising Properties
- · Opinion on reaction products of oxidative hair dye ingredients formed during hair dyeing processes
Guidance by skin profile
Caredermis editorial guidance based on the concerns above — checked against the official records on every build, but not itself a regulator statement.
- Sensitive skinBest avoided
- Oily & acne-proneNo specific concern
- Dry skinNo specific concern
- PregnancyUse with caution
- Babies & kidsBest avoided
- Eczema-proneBest avoided
Sources
Each authority below is shown only because our ingested copy of its data lists p-Phenylenediamine — not because we asserted it. Follow a link to verify the classification or regulation directly.
See our methodology for how these map to concern levels. Informational only — not medical advice.
Products in our library containing p-Phenylenediamine
Related ingredients
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