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Answer: p-Phenylenediamine is restricted (not fully banned) in European Union. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: permanent hair dye, black henna tattoos.
TL;DR: p-Phenylenediamine is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (carcinogens, mutagens & reproductive toxicants).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name p-Phenylenediamine. CAS 106-50-3.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | permanent hair dye, black henna tattoos |
| CAS number | 106-50-3 |
p-Phenylenediamine is a primary intermediate in permanent hair dye.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, UV-filtering, lightening or texture-enhancing properties.
A potent allergen and sensitizer. Strictly concentration-limited in the EU; less tightly controlled in the US.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of p-Phenylenediaminewith 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.
p-Phenylenediamine is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — p-Phenylenediamine 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 p-Phenylenediamine automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects p-Phenylenediamine.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains p-Phenylenediamine or other ingredients banned overseas.
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