Cleanance Cleansing Gel

Why it's rated this way

2 ingredients on this label are flagged. A cosmetic's rating is set by its most serious finding — here, Yellow 5.

1. Yellow 5High concernEU CosIng Annex III

   What it is

   Its recorded role: hair dyeing and colorant. About Yellow 5

   Why it's flagged

   EU CosIng Annex III

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III — allowed only within set limits and conditions.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

2. Sodium HydroxideMinor concernAlkali (lye). It is used up in the product: as a pH adjuster it neutralises an acid in the formula, and in soap it turns the oils into soap. The EU caps the alkalinity it may leave (pH 11 for pH-adjuster use); the higher limits, with warnings, are only for hair straighteners, cuticle removers and depilatories.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: buffering and denaturant. About Sodium Hydroxide

   Why it's flagged

   Alkali (lye). It is used up in the product: as a pH adjuster it neutralises an acid in the formula, and in soap it turns the oils into soap. The EU caps the alkalinity it may leave (pH 11 for pH-adjuster use); the higher limits, with warnings, are only for hair straighteners, cuticle removers and depilatories.

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III — allowed only within set limits and conditions; Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

Assessed against the label as captured: 21 of 22 ingredients recognised.