Fragrance avoidance
No fragrance-linked caution surfaced in the current profile.
This ingredient does not currently read as a fragrance-linked driver in the published evidence and hazard profile.
- beauty
- industrial
Potassium polysulfide
CAS 37199-66-9 · 70/100 · High conf.
Also registered as 1 other CAS number
50864-80-7
Concern score
70/100High concern based on regulatory listings.
High confidence
Potassium polysulfide in plain language
On cosmetic ingredient lists it appears as “Barium sulfide”.
Also known as Barium sulfide · Calcium sulfide · Lithium sulfide · Magnesium sulfide · Potassium sulfide · Sodium sulfide
Show all 12 names
Strontium sulfide · (a) Alkali sulphides (b) Alkaline earth sulphides · Caswell No. 701 · PC-076703 · Potassium sulfide (K2(Sx)) · potassium polysulfide/potassium sulfide
Used in consumer products as a depilatory.
- Depilatory
- High concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is restricted in EU cosmetics.
Why it's flagged
(a) Alkali sulphides (b) Alkaline earth sulphides is restricted in cosmetic products under Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.
RestrictedEU EC — restricted
The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.
Regulation
Restrictions first, then routine listings from published regulatory sources.
- EU Annex III — restricted
- EU restricted in cosmetics
- Found in consumer products
- Industrial
- View source →restricted
EUEC
Annex III of EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009: substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to the restrictions laid down. Product types: (a) Depilatories (b) Depilatories Maximum concentration: (a) 2% (as sulphur) (b) 6% (as sulphur) Other conditions: pH Conditions of use and warnings: (a) (b) Keep out of reach of children Avoid contact with eyes
EUCosIngActiveCosmetics Regulation annex III / ref 23.
- Cosmetics Regulation annex III / ref 23.Source →
USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 7 composition records across product categories including Specialty occupational products. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Depilatory.
- EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 7 composition records across product categories including Specialty occupational products. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Depilatory.Source →
Expert safety opinions
No expert opinion on file for Potassium polysulfide. These are the independent scientific bodies that assess ingredients like this one; we show an opinion only when a record we hold cites it.
SCCS
EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
No SCCS opinion on file.
CIR
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)
No CIR safety assessment on file.
Evidence & sources
No graded research studies for Potassium polysulfide yet. This record is compiled from the published data sources below — registries and regulatory listings, not study findings.
Suitability
Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.
Good fit
Where it has been recorded
How often EPA CPDat has listed Potassium polysulfide in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.
Source records
7
Named organisations
1
Specialty occupational products
Typical roles
Depilatory