Beautiful Color - 32 Acajou foncé — ingredient safety report

• Allergy risk:One of the most potent cosmetic allergens; can cause severe facial/scalp reactions; the danger in 'black henna' tattoos.
• Cancer concern:IARC Group 3 overall, but occupational data keeps it under scrutiny.

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.

• Allergy risk:Fragrance is the single most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy.
• Irritation:Frequent trigger of stinging and redness on reactive skin.

An umbrella term that can hide dozens of undisclosed scent chemicals. Fragrance is the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis from cosmetics, and dermatologists routinely advise fragrance-free products for eczema, babies and sensitive skin.

• Irritation:The reference irritant used in dermatology research; strips barrier lipids.

A powerful foaming cleanser so reliably irritating that dermatology studies use it as the standard positive control for skin irritation. Fine for many in rinse-off use, but a poor match for dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin.

• Allergy risk:Potent sensitizer, typically blended with MIT (Kathon CG).
• Irritation:Corrosive in concentrate; irritating at use levels.

The chlorinated partner of MIT, restricted in the EU to rinse-off products only. A leading cause of preservative contact dermatitis worldwide.

• Allergy risk:Caused an epidemic of contact allergy; banned in EU leave-on products.
• Irritation:Irritating even in people without allergy.

A preservative behind one of the largest contact-allergy epidemics in cosmetic history. The EU banned it from leave-on products and restricts it in rinse-off products to 15 ppm.

• Irritation:Drying and defatting to the skin barrier.

Rubbing alcohol; used as a solvent in some products and drying to skin in meaningful concentrations.

• Irritation:Milder than SLS but still drying for compromised skin.

The gentler cousin of SLS used in most mainstream shampoos and washes. Its manufacturing can leave trace 1,4-dioxane, which reputable makers strip out — an issue of quality control rather than the ingredient itself.

• Allergy risk:Recognized contact allergen in hair dyes.
• Irritation:Irritating at therapeutic strengths.

A hair-dye coupler and old acne remedy with credible thyroid-disruption evidence, under active EU endocrine review.

• Irritation:Oxidizing irritant to skin and mucosa; EU caps tooth-whitening use at 6%.

The bleaching oxidant in hair color and tooth whitening; irritation scales with concentration and contact time.

• Allergy risk:Named Allergen of the Year 2004; impurities (amidoamine) drive most reactions.

A mild coconut-derived surfactant in countless 'gentle' cleansers. Most allergy is caused by manufacturing impurities, so quality varies by brand.

• Irritation:Can enhance penetration of other ingredients; avoid on broken skin.

A common emulsifier; CIR advises against use on damaged skin because it can carry other ingredients deeper.

A longer-chain paraben with measurable (though weak) estrogenic activity, prompting the EU to reduce its allowed concentration and Denmark to ban it in products for children under 3.

• Environmental impact:Classified vPvB (very persistent, very bioaccumulative); EU restricts it in cosmetics from 2027.

A volatile silicone giving that silky slip, now being phased down in the EU because it persists and accumulates in aquatic ecosystems.

• Irritation:Quaternary conditioner; can irritate scalp/eyes and is restricted to defined concentrations.

The standard hair-detangling conditioner quat — fine in rinse-off use, mildly irritating to eyes and broken skin.

• Environmental impact:Poorly biodegradable; can remobilize heavy metals in waterways.

A metal-binding stabilizer that is safe on skin at the tiny amounts used; its criticism is environmental persistence.