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Answer: Nonoxynol 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: cleansers, spermicidal products.
TL;DR: Nonoxynol is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (endocrine disruptors).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Nonoxynol-9. CAS 26027-38-3.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | medium |
| Where it shows up | cleansers, spermicidal products |
| CAS number | 26027-38-3 |
Nonoxynol (Nonoxynol-9) is a surfactant.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
Degrades into estrogenic nonylphenol; restricted in the EU.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Nonoxynolwith 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.
Nonoxynol is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Nonoxynol 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 Nonoxynol automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Nonoxynol.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Nonoxynol or other ingredients banned overseas.
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