Face cream Fragrance Free

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, Sodium Hydroxide.

1. 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.

2. C13-15 AlkaneMinor concernLight emollient hydrocarbon, produced either from refined petroleum or from plant sugars. The EU prohibition it is linked to covers petroleum distillates whose refining history is unknown, not refined or plant-derived grades.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: solvent. About C13-15 Alkane

   Why it's flagged

   Light emollient hydrocarbon, produced either from refined petroleum or from plant sugars. The EU prohibition it is linked to covers petroleum distillates whose refining history is unknown, not refined or plant-derived grades.

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex II — substances prohibited in cosmetics; EU classification as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction; 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.

Assessed against the label as captured: all 23 ingredients recognised.