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Answer: Selenium sulfide 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: anti-dandruff shampoo.
TL;DR: Selenium sulfide 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 Selenium Sulfide. CAS 7488-56-4.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | medium |
| Where it shows up | anti-dandruff shampoo |
| CAS number | 7488-56-4 |
Selenium sulfide (Selenium Sulfide) is an antifungal dandruff active.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
Restricted in the EU; a US OTC dandruff active with limited oversight.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Selenium sulfidewith 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.
Selenium sulfide is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Selenium sulfide 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 Selenium sulfide automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Selenium sulfide.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Selenium sulfide or other ingredients banned overseas.
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