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Answer: Nickel 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: makeup (contaminant), eye products.
TL;DR: Nickel is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (heavy metals).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Nickel. CAS 7440-02-0.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | medium |
| Where it shows up | makeup (contaminant), eye products |
| CAS number | 7440-02-0 |
Nickel (Nickel) is a sensitizing metal contaminant.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
A common allergen; the EU restricts nickel impurities in cosmetics.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Nickelwith 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.
Nickel is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Nickel 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 Nickel automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Nickel.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Nickel or other ingredients banned overseas.
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