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Answer: Resorcinol 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, acne treatment.
TL;DR: Resorcinol is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (endocrine disruptors).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Resorcinol. CAS 108-46-3.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | permanent hair dye, acne treatment |
| CAS number | 108-46-3 |
Resorcinol is a phenol used in hair dyes and acne products.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, UV-filtering, lightening or texture-enhancing properties.
A thyroid endocrine disruptor and skin sensitizer; the EU restricts its concentration. Less tightly controlled in the US.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Resorcinolwith 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.
Resorcinol is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Resorcinol 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 Resorcinol automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Resorcinol.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Resorcinol or other ingredients banned overseas.
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