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Answer: Acrylamide is restricted (not fully banned) in European Union. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: face masks, styling products (residual).
TL;DR: Acrylamide is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (carcinogens, mutagens & reproductive toxicants).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Acrylamide. CAS 79-06-1.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | face masks, styling products (residual) |
| CAS number | 79-06-1 |
Acrylamide (Acrylamide) is a residual monomer in polyacrylamide.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
A probable carcinogen and neurotoxin; the EU strictly limits residual levels.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Acrylamidewith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.
Acrylamide is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Acrylamide can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Acrylamide automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Acrylamide.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Acrylamide or other ingredients banned overseas.
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