Ingredients with a documented concern, from official datasets and our reviewed database.
Sensitive skin: High cautionPregnancy: Best avoidedBabies & kids: Best avoidedEczema-prone: High caution
- Hormone disruption:Classified as toxic to reproduction (CMR 1B); banned in the EU since March 2022.
- Allergy risk:Well-documented fragrance sensitizer.
The lily-of-the-valley scent 'Lilial', banned in EU cosmetics in 2022 after being classified as presumed toxic to human reproduction. Still legal in some other markets — check older or imported products.
Sensitive skin: High cautionPregnancy: Use with cautionBabies & kids: Best avoidedEczema-prone: Best avoided
- Cancer concern:Slowly releases formaldehyde, an IARC Group 1 carcinogen.
- Allergy risk:Frequent cause of preservative contact dermatitis.
A formaldehyde-releasing preservative used in creams, shampoos and wipes. The slow formaldehyde release preserves the product but exposes skin to a known carcinogen and allergen.
Sensitive skin: Best avoidedPregnancy: Use with cautionBabies & kids: Best avoidedEczema-prone: Best avoided
- Allergy risk:Fragrance is the single most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy.
- Irritation:Frequent trigger of stinging and redness on reactive skin.
Caredermis curated dermatological review
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.
Sensitive skin: Use with cautionEczema-prone: High caution
- Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen; oxidized linalool is a common patch-test positive.
A floral scent molecule found in lavender and many essential oils. It oxidizes on air exposure into strongly sensitizing compounds, which is why it must be declared on EU labels.
Sensitive skin: Use with cautionEczema-prone: High caution
- Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen; oxidation products are potent sensitizers.
The citrus-peel scent molecule. Like linalool, it becomes allergenic mainly after oxidizing in opened products.
Sensitive skin: Use with cautionEczema-prone: High caution
- Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen; clove-scented sensitizer.
The clove scent molecule, a long-established contact allergen on the EU declaration list.
Sensitive skin: Use with cautionEczema-prone: High caution
- Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen; lemon-scented sensitizer.
The lemon-scent molecule in lemongrass and citrus oils, a recognized contact allergen requiring EU label declaration.
Babies & kids: Use with caution
- Irritation:Occasional stinging and irritation, mostly around eyes and on damaged skin.
Today's most common preservative, considered safe by the SCCS up to 1%. French authorities advise avoiding it in wipes and diaper-area products for children under 3 as a precaution.
Sensitive skin: Use with caution
- Allergy risk:EU-declarable fragrance allergen.
A floral fixative on the EU allergen list, with early-stage evidence of weak hormonal activity being evaluated by regulators.
Sensitive skin: Use with cautionEczema-prone: Use with caution
- Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen found in tonka bean and many perfumes.
A sweet hay-scented molecule requiring EU allergen declaration; a regular positive in fragrance patch-test series.
Sensitive skin: Use with caution
- Allergy risk:EU-declarable fragrance allergen.
A violet-type scent chemical requiring EU allergen declaration.
Eczema-prone: Use with caution
- 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.
- Environmental impact:Classified vPvB (very persistent, very bioaccumulative); EU restricts it in cosmetics from 2027.
Caredermis curated dermatological review
A volatile silicone giving that silky slip, now being phased down in the EU because it persists and accumulates in aquatic ecosystems.
- 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.
SODIUM CARBONATERegulatory dataIrritationEU CLP Eye Irrit. 2