Beauty & Personal Care
1,600+ ingredients banned in the EU. 11 in the US. Scan your shelf.
The European Union restricts more than 1,600 ingredients in cosmetics and personal-care products. The US FDA restricts just 11. Below are the EU-banned beauty ingredients still legal in American products — grouped by category, each with regulatory citations.
Carcinogens, mutagens & reproductive toxicants
38 personal-care ingredients banned or restricted overseas but still allowed in the US.
- LilialButylphenyl MethylpropionalBanned in the EU
- Zinc pyrithioneZinc PyrithioneBanned in the EU
- Formaldehyde (free)FormaldehydeBanned in the EU
- HydroquinoneHydroquinoneBanned in the EU
- Coal tarCoal TarBanned in the EU
- p-Phenylenediaminep-PhenylenediamineRestricted in the EU
- DeoxyarbutinDeoxyarbutinRestricted in the EU
- Butylphenyl methylpropional altLilialBanned in the EU
- Diethylene glycolDiethylene GlycolBanned in the EU
- DichloromethaneDichloromethaneBanned in the EU
- Trichloroethane1,1,1-TrichloroethaneBanned in the EU
- DiaminotolueneToluene-2,5-DiamineRestricted in the EU
- o-Aminophenolo-AminophenolRestricted in the EU
- 4-Amino-3-nitrophenol4-Amino-3-NitrophenolRestricted in the EU
- Methyl methacrylateMethyl MethacrylateBanned in the EU
- DibutyltinDibutyltin Hydrogen BorateBanned in the EU
- Diethyl sulfateDiethyl SulfateBanned in the EU
- HydroxylamineHydroxylamineRestricted in the EU
- PyrogallolPyrogallolRestricted in the EU
- Catechol (pyrocatechol)PyrocatecholRestricted in the EU
- p-Aminophenolp-AminophenolRestricted in the EU
- m-Phenylenediaminem-PhenylenediamineRestricted in the EU
- StyreneStyreneRestricted in the EU
- AcrylamideAcrylamideRestricted in the EU
- Carbon blackCarbon BlackRestricted in the EU
- Talc (asbestos risk)TalcRestricted in the EU
- Dioxane (1,4-dioxane)1,4-DioxaneRestricted in the EU
- Hydrofluoric acidHydrofluoric AcidBanned in the EU
- BenzophenoneBenzophenoneRestricted in the EU
- Cocamide DEACocamide DEARestricted in the EU
- DiethanolamineDiethanolamineBanned in the EU
- MethanolMethanolRestricted in the EU
- PhenolPhenolBanned in the EU
- Selenium sulfideSelenium SulfideRestricted in the EU
- Boric acidBoric AcidRestricted in the EU
- Sodium perborateSodium PerborateBanned in the EU
- Thioglycolic acidThioglycolic AcidRestricted in the EU
- TolueneTolueneRestricted in the EU
Endocrine disruptors
23 personal-care ingredients banned or restricted overseas but still allowed in the US.
- Retinyl palmitateRetinyl PalmitateRestricted in the EU
- BHA (cosmetic)BHARestricted in the EU
- BHT (cosmetic)BHTRestricted in the EU
- ResorcinolResorcinolRestricted in the EU
- Kojic acidKojic AcidRestricted in the EU
- TriclosanTriclosanRestricted in the EU
- CyclopentasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxaneRestricted in the EU
- GenisteinGenisteinRestricted in the EU
- DaidzeinDaidzeinRestricted in the EU
- NonylphenolNonylphenolBanned in the EU
- ClimbazoleClimbazoleRestricted in the EU
- Butylated triphenyl phosphateBTPPRestricted in the EU
- Triphenyl phosphateTriphenyl PhosphateRestricted in the EU
- OctamethylcyclotetrasiloxaneCyclotetrasiloxaneRestricted in the EU
- DodecamethylcyclohexasiloxaneCyclohexasiloxaneRestricted in the EU
- TriclocarbanTriclocarbanRestricted in the EU
- Salicylic acid (high dose)Salicylic AcidRestricted in the EU
- Bisphenol ABisphenol ABanned in the EU
- Benzophenone-1Benzophenone-1Restricted in the EU
- Musk ketoneMusk KetoneRestricted in the EU
- Nitromusks (musk xylene)Musk XyleneBanned in the EU
- TriethanolamineTriethanolamineRestricted in the EU
- NonoxynolNonoxynol-9Restricted in the EU
Formaldehyde releasers
29 personal-care ingredients banned or restricted overseas but still allowed in the US.
- Tetramethylol glycolurilTetramethylol GlycolurilBanned in the EU
- DMDM hydantoinDMDM HydantoinBanned in the EU
- Diazolidinyl ureaDiazolidinyl UreaBanned in the EU
- Imidazolidinyl ureaImidazolidinyl UreaBanned in the EU
- Tosylamide/formaldehyde resinTosylamide/Formaldehyde ResinBanned in the EU
- BronopolBronopolBanned in the EU
- Sodium hydroxymethylglycinateSodium HydroxymethylglycinateBanned in the EU
- Polyoxymethylene ureaPolyoxymethylene UreaBanned in the EU
- GlyoxalGlyoxalBanned in the EU
- Polyoxymethylene melamineMelamine/Formaldehyde ResinBanned in the EU
- Bronidox5-Bromo-5-Nitro-1,3-DioxaneBanned in the EU
- Bioban CS-1246Methylenebis(oxazolidine)Banned in the EU
- BenzylhemiformalBenzylhemiformalBanned in the EU
- DMHFDimethylol-5,5-DimethylhydantoinBanned in the EU
- Dimethylol glycolDimethylol Ethylene UreaBanned in the EU
- Dimethylol ureaDimethylol UreaBanned in the EU
- Dimethyl oxazolidineDimethyl OxazolidineBanned in the EU
- Glyoxylic acidGlyoxylic AcidBanned in the EU
- Glyoxyloyl carbocysteineGlyoxyloyl CarbocysteineBanned in the EU
- MDM hydantoinMDM HydantoinBanned in the EU
- MethenamineMethenamineBanned in the EU
- MethylalMethylalBanned in the EU
- ParaformaldehydeParaformaldehydeBanned in the EU
- PolyoxymethylenePolyoxymethyleneBanned in the EU
- Quaternium-15Quaternium-15Banned in the EU
- TimonacicTimonacicBanned in the EU
- Tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethaneTris(Hydroxymethyl)NitromethaneBanned in the EU
- Urea-formaldehyde polymerUrea/Formaldehyde ResinBanned in the EU
- Formaldehyde-releasing benzylhemiformalBenzylhemiformalRestricted in the EU
Fragrance allergens
16 personal-care ingredients banned or restricted overseas but still allowed in the US.
- CoumarinCoumarinWarning label required in the EU
- Benzyl benzoateBenzyl BenzoateWarning label required in the EU
- Benzyl salicylateBenzyl SalicylateWarning label required in the EU
- Hexyl cinnamalHexyl CinnamalWarning label required in the EU
- Alpha-isomethyl iononeAlpha-Isomethyl IononeWarning label required in the EU
- LinaloolLinaloolWarning label required in the EU
- LimoneneLimoneneWarning label required in the EU
- GeraniolGeraniolWarning label required in the EU
- CitralCitralWarning label required in the EU
- IsoeugenolIsoeugenolRestricted in the EU
- EugenolEugenolWarning label required in the EU
- CinnamalCinnamalWarning label required in the EU
- ChloroatranolChloroatranolBanned in the EU
- AtranolAtranolBanned in the EU
- Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehydeHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene CarboxaldehydeBanned in the EU
- Acetone (in nail products, contaminant context)Ethyl AcetateWarning label required in the EU
Parabens
9 personal-care ingredients banned or restricted overseas but still allowed in the US.
- PentylparabenPentylparabenBanned in the EU
- ButylparabenButylparabenRestricted in the EU
- PropylparabenPropylparabenRestricted in the EU
- IsobutylparabenIsobutylparabenBanned in the EU
- IsopropylparabenIsopropylparabenBanned in the EU
- PhenylparabenPhenylparabenBanned in the EU
- BenzylparabenBenzylparabenBanned in the EU
- EthylparabenEthylparabenRestricted in the EU
- MethylparabenMethylparabenRestricted in the EU
Phthalates
8 personal-care ingredients banned or restricted overseas but still allowed in the US.
- Diethyl phthalateDiethyl PhthalateBanned in the EU
- Dimethyl phthalateDimethyl PhthalateBanned in the EU
- Diisobutyl phthalateDiisobutyl PhthalateBanned in the EU
- Dibutyl phthalateDibutyl PhthalateBanned in the EU
- DEHPDiethylhexyl PhthalateBanned in the EU
- Benzyl butyl phthalateButyl Benzyl PhthalateBanned in the EU
- Diisononyl phthalateDiisononyl PhthalateRestricted in the EU
- Diethylhexyl phthalate substitute DnOPDi-n-Octyl PhthalateBanned in the EU
Heavy metals
9 personal-care ingredients banned or restricted overseas but still allowed in the US.
- Lead acetateLead AcetateBanned in the EU
- Mercury compoundsMercuryBanned in the EU
- LeadLeadBanned in the EU
- Aluminum chlorohydrateAluminum ChlorohydrateRestricted in the EU
- ChromiumChromium VIBanned in the EU
- NickelNickelRestricted in the EU
- AntimonyAntimonyBanned in the EU
- ArsenicArsenicBanned in the EU
- CadmiumCadmiumBanned in the EU
Preservatives
13 personal-care ingredients banned or restricted overseas but still allowed in the US.
- Caprylyl GlycolCAPRYLYL GLYCOLFlagged overseas
- EthylhexylglycerinETHYLHEXYLGLYCERINFlagged overseas
- Benzyl Alcohol (Preservative)BENZYL ALCOHOLRestricted in the EU
- Potassium Sorbate (Cosmetic)POTASSIUM SORBATERestricted in the EU
- Sodium Benzoate (Cosmetic)SODIUM BENZOATERestricted in the EU
- Sodium DehydroacetateSODIUM DEHYDROACETATERestricted in the EU
- MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMethylchloroisothiazolinoneRestricted in the EU
- MethylisothiazolinoneMethylisothiazolinoneRestricted in the EU
- Quaternium-24Quaternium-24Restricted in the EU
- ChlorphenesinChlorphenesinRestricted in the EU
- Polyaminopropyl biguanidePolyaminopropyl BiguanideRestricted in the EU
- ChlorhexidineChlorhexidine DigluconateRestricted in the EU
- PhenoxyethanolPhenoxyethanolRestricted in the EU
UV filters
11 personal-care ingredients banned or restricted overseas but still allowed in the US.
- AvobenzoneBUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANEFlagged overseas
- OctisalateETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATEFlagged overseas
- Titanium Dioxide (Cosmetic/Sunscreen)TITANIUM DIOXIDEFlagged overseas
- Zinc OxideZINC OXIDEFlagged overseas
- Padimate OPADIMATE OFlagged overseas
- EnsulizolePHENYLBENZIMIDAZOLE SULFONIC ACIDFlagged overseas
- OctocryleneOctocryleneRestricted in the EU
- OxybenzoneBenzophenone-3Restricted in the EU
- 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor4-Methylbenzylidene CamphorBanned in the EU
- OctinoxateEthylhexyl MethoxycinnamateRestricted in the EU
- HomosalateHomosalateRestricted in the EU
Dyes & colorants
7 personal-care ingredients banned or restricted overseas but still allowed in the US.
- HC Yellow No. 13HC Yellow No. 13Restricted in the EU
- Basic Violet 3Basic Violet 3Banned in the EU
- Acid Black 1Acid Black 1Restricted in the EU
- Disperse Blue 1Disperse Blue 1Banned in the EU
- Disperse Yellow 3Disperse Yellow 3Banned in the EU
- CI 12150 (Solvent Red 1)CI 12150Banned in the EU
- 2-Nitro-p-phenylenediamine2-Nitro-p-PhenylenediamineRestricted in the EU
colorant
4 personal-care ingredients banned or restricted overseas but still allowed in the US.
emollient
10 personal-care ingredients banned or restricted overseas but still allowed in the US.
- OctyldodecanolOCTYLDODECANOLFlagged overseas
- CyclomethiconeCYCLOMETHICONERestricted in the EU
- DimethiconeDIMETHICONEFlagged overseas
- SqualaneSQUALANEFlagged overseas
- Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDEFlagged overseas
- Isopropyl MyristateISOPROPYL MYRISTATEFlagged overseas
- Isopropyl PalmitateISOPROPYL PALMITATEFlagged overseas
- LanolinLANOLINFlagged overseas
- Paraffinum LiquidumPARAFFINUM LIQUIDUMRestricted in the EU
- PetrolatumPETROLATUMRestricted in the EU
humectant
8 personal-care ingredients banned or restricted overseas but still allowed in the US.
- GlycerinGLYCERINFlagged overseas
- Propylene Glycol (Cosmetic)PROPYLENE GLYCOLFlagged overseas
- Sodium HyaluronateSODIUM HYALURONATEFlagged overseas
- Hyaluronic AcidHYALURONIC ACIDFlagged overseas
- Urea (Cosmetic)UREAFlagged overseas
- Sodium PCASODIUM PCAFlagged overseas
- Pentylene GlycolPENTYLENE GLYCOLFlagged overseas
- Butylene GlycolBUTYLENE GLYCOLFlagged overseas
surfactant
15 personal-care ingredients banned or restricted overseas but still allowed in the US.
- Lauryl GlucosideLAURYL GLUCOSIDEFlagged overseas
- Polysorbate 20POLYSORBATE 20Flagged overseas
- Sodium CocoamphoacetateSODIUM COCOAMPHOACETATEFlagged overseas
- PEG-80 Sorbitan LauratePEG-80 SORBITAN LAURATEFlagged overseas
- Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateSODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATEFlagged overseas
- Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateSODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATEFlagged overseas
- Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateSODIUM COCOYL ISETHIONATEFlagged overseas
- Disodium Laureth SulfosuccinateDISODIUM LAURETH SULFOSUCCINATEFlagged overseas
- Coco-GlucosideCOCO-GLUCOSIDEFlagged overseas
- Decyl GlucosideDECYL GLUCOSIDEFlagged overseas
- Cocamidopropyl BetaineCOCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINEFlagged overseas
- Ammonium Lauryl SulfateAMMONIUM LAURYL SULFATEFlagged overseas
- Ammonium Laureth SulfateAMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATEFlagged overseas
- Sodium Lauryl SulfateSODIUM LAURYL SULFATEFlagged overseas
- Sodium Laureth SulfateSODIUM LAURETH SULFATEFlagged overseas
Clean up your pantry, too.
Scan any barcode and instantly see if a product contains ingredients banned overseas — across food and personal care.
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Beauty ingredient FAQs
How many cosmetic ingredients are banned in the EU vs the US?
The European Union restricts or bans more than 1,600 ingredients in cosmetics and personal-care products under its Cosmetics Regulation (EC 1223/2009). The US Food and Drug Administration has banned or restricted only 11. That gap is why a product sold legally in America may contain ingredients prohibited in Europe.
Which banned beauty ingredients are most common in US products?
The most common EU-banned ingredients still found in US personal-care products include formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15), parabens (propylparaben, butylparaben), phthalates (diethyl phthalate), and certain fragrance allergens. Scan a product barcode to see which ones it contains.
Are US beauty products unsafe?
Not necessarily — but US cosmetics rules allow ingredients that other regulators have restricted out of caution. BannedPantry shows you exactly which ingredients in a product are flagged overseas and links to the regulatory source, so you can decide for yourself.