Is Hydrofluoric acid Banned? EU vs US Status, Risks & Where It Hides
TL;DR: Hydrofluoric acid is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (carcinogens, mutagens & reproductive toxicants).
INCI name Hydrofluoric Acid. CAS 7664-39-3.
Is Hydrofluoric acid banned in the EU?
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | rust removers (not cosmetics) |
| CAS number | 7664-39-3 |
What is Hydrofluoric acid?
Hydrofluoric acid (Hydrofluoric Acid) is a corrosive acid.
Why is Hydrofluoric acid used in personal-care products?
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
Is Hydrofluoric acid dangerous? Documented risks
Extremely corrosive and toxic; banned in EU cosmetics.
Products that may contain Hydrofluoric acid
- rust removers (not cosmetics)
How to avoid Hydrofluoric acid: safer alternatives
Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.
Frequently asked questions about Hydrofluoric acid
Is Hydrofluoric acid banned in the EU?
Hydrofluoric acid is banned under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Is Hydrofluoric acid in US cosmetics?
Yes — Hydrofluoric acid can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
What products contain Hydrofluoric acid?
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Hydrofluoric acid automatically.
Are there safer alternatives to Hydrofluoric acid?
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Hydrofluoric acid.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Hydrofluoric acid or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Related carcinogens, mutagens & reproductive toxicants
Avoiding banned beauty ingredients? Check your food, too.
Sources
- EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II (prohibited substances) — EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009
- EU-banned cosmetics ingredients and US impact — RegASK
- Chemicals in cosmetics — CHEM Trust
Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.