Nspa fruit extract

Why it's rated this way

6 ingredients on this label are flagged. A cosmetic's rating is set by its most serious finding — here, Retinyl Palmitate.

1. Retinyl PalmitateHigh concernVitamin A (retinol and its esters). Cosmetics add to the vitamin A people already get from food, so the EU capped it at 0.05 % retinol equivalent in body lotion and 0.3 % in other products — products over the cap may still be on sale until May 2027, and a label does not show the strength.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: skin conditioning and antioxidant. About Retinyl Palmitate

   Why it's flagged

   Vitamin A (retinol and its esters). Cosmetics add to the vitamin A people already get from food, so the EU capped it at 0.05 % retinol equivalent in body lotion and 0.3 % in other products — products over the cap may still be on sale until May 2027, and a label does not show the strength.

   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.

2. Imidazolidinyl UreaHigh concernFormaldehyde releaser.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: preservative. About Imidazolidinyl Urea

   Why it's flagged

   Formaldehyde releaser.

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex V — permitted preservative, with a concentration limit; Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

3. BhtModerate concernSynthetic antioxidant. The EU restricts it to 0.001 % in mouthwash, 0.1 % in toothpaste and 0.8 % in other cosmetics; the SCCS found it safe within those limits, but it is a common avoidance ingredient.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: antioxidant and fragrance. About Bht

   Why it's flagged

   Synthetic antioxidant. The EU restricts it to 0.001 % in mouthwash, 0.1 % in toothpaste and 0.8 % in other cosmetics; the SCCS found it safe within those limits, but it is a common avoidance ingredient.

   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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Ci 42090Minor concernPermitted cosmetic colorant.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: colorant and hair dyeing. About Ci 42090

   Why it's flagged

   Permitted cosmetic colorant.

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex IV — permitted colourant, with 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 41 ingredients recognised.