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Answer: Pyrogallol 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: hair dye.
TL;DR: Pyrogallol 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 Pyrogallol. CAS 87-66-1.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | medium |
| Where it shows up | hair dye |
| CAS number | 87-66-1 |
Pyrogallol (Pyrogallol) is a hair-dye colorant.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
A sensitizer and possible mutagen; the EU restricts it to professional use.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Pyrogallolwith 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.
Pyrogallol is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Pyrogallol 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 Pyrogallol automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Pyrogallol.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Pyrogallol or other ingredients banned overseas.
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