Hair Removal Cream

Why it's rated this way

3 ingredients on this label are flagged. A cosmetic's rating is set by its most serious finding — here, Calcium Thioglycolate Hydroxide.

1. Calcium Thioglycolate HydroxideHigh concernEU CosIng Annex III

   What it is

   Its recorded role: antioxidant and depilatory. About Calcium Thioglycolate Hydroxide

   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. Paraffinum LiquidumMinor concernCosmetic-grade mineral oil (paraffinum liquidum) is a highly refined white oil. The EU prohibition covers untreated and mildly treated petroleum oils, not refined grades.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: emollient and occlusive. About Paraffinum Liquidum

   Why it's flagged

   Cosmetic-grade mineral oil (paraffinum liquidum) is a highly refined white oil. The EU prohibition covers untreated and mildly treated petroleum oils, not refined grades.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list. The listing applies only under conditions a label can't show (product type, concentration or use).

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly; whether the conditions apply depends on the product's formula.

3. Potassium HydroxideMinor concernAlkali (lye). It is used up in the product: as a pH adjuster it neutralises an acid in the formula, and in soft or liquid 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: chelating agent and ph adjuster. About Potassium 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 soft or liquid 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: all 25 ingredients recognised.