Loading…
Answer: Yes — Nonylphenol 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: older cleansers, surfactant blends.
TL;DR: Nonylphenol is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (endocrine disruptors).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Nonylphenol. CAS 25154-52-3.
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | older cleansers, surfactant blends |
| CAS number | 25154-52-3 |
Nonylphenol (Nonylphenol) is a surfactant breakdown product.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
A persistent estrogenic endocrine disruptor; banned in EU cosmetics.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Nonylphenolwith 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.
Nonylphenol is banned under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Nonylphenol 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 Nonylphenol automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Nonylphenol.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Nonylphenol or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.