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Answer: Carbon black is restricted (not fully banned) in European Union. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: medium. Commonly found in: mascara, eyeliner, black makeup.
TL;DR: Carbon black 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 Carbon Black. CAS 1333-86-4.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | medium |
| Where it shows up | mascara, eyeliner, black makeup |
| CAS number | 1333-86-4 |
Carbon black (Carbon Black) is a black pigment.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
A possible carcinogen; the EU restricts purity and nanoform use.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Carbon blackwith 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.
Carbon black is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Carbon black 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 Carbon black automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Carbon black.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Carbon black or other ingredients banned overseas.
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