Is Hydroxylamine Banned? EU vs US Status, Risks & Where It Hides
TL;DR: Hydroxylamine is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (carcinogens, mutagens & reproductive toxicants).
INCI name Hydroxylamine. CAS 7803-49-8.
Is Hydroxylamine banned in the EU?
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | medium |
| Where it shows up | hair dye |
| CAS number | 7803-49-8 |
What is Hydroxylamine?
Hydroxylamine (Hydroxylamine) is a reducing agent and dye stabilizer.
Why is Hydroxylamine used in personal-care products?
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
Is Hydroxylamine dangerous? Documented risks
A possible carcinogen; concentration-restricted in the EU.
Products that may contain Hydroxylamine
- hair dye
How to avoid Hydroxylamine: 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 Hydroxylamine
Is Hydroxylamine banned in the EU?
Hydroxylamine is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Is Hydroxylamine in US cosmetics?
Yes — Hydroxylamine 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 Hydroxylamine?
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Hydroxylamine automatically.
Are there safer alternatives to Hydroxylamine?
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Hydroxylamine.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Hydroxylamine 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.