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Answer: Yes — Lead acetate is banned in 1 country/region including European Union. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: progressive hair dye, men's hair color.
TL;DR: Lead acetate is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (heavy metals).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Lead Acetate. CAS 301-04-2.
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | progressive hair dye, men's hair color |
| CAS number | 301-04-2 |
Lead acetate is a lead compound used in progressive darkening hair dyes.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, UV-filtering, lightening or texture-enhancing properties.
Lead is a potent neurotoxin with no safe level. Banned in EU cosmetics; the US FDA revoked its authorization in 2018.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Lead acetatewith 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.
Lead acetate is banned under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Lead acetate 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 Lead acetate automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Lead acetate.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Lead acetate or other ingredients banned overseas.
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