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Answer: Yes — Methyl methacrylate 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: acrylic nails.
TL;DR: Methyl methacrylate is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (carcinogens, mutagens & reproductive toxicants).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Methyl Methacrylate. CAS 80-62-6.
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | acrylic nails |
| CAS number | 80-62-6 |
Methyl methacrylate (Methyl Methacrylate) is a monomer in acrylic nail products.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
A sensitizer banned for cosmetic nail use in the EU and many US states.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Methyl methacrylatewith 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.
Methyl methacrylate is banned under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Methyl methacrylate 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 Methyl methacrylate automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Methyl methacrylate.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Methyl methacrylate or other ingredients banned overseas.
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