Retinol Anti Wrinkle Cream

Why it's rated this way

8 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. ButylparabenModerate concernEndocrine-activity concern; tighter EU limits.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: flavouring agent, preservative and preservative. About Butylparaben

   Why it's flagged

   Endocrine-activity concern; tighter EU limits.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

4. EthylparabenModerate concernEndocrine-activity debate; consumer avoid-list. EU-permitted preservative.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: preservative and fragrance. About Ethylparaben

   Why it's flagged

   Endocrine-activity debate; consumer avoid-list. EU-permitted preservative.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

5. MethylparabenModerate concernEndocrine-activity debate; common consumer avoid-list item. EU-permitted preservative.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: preservative and fragrance. About Methylparaben

   Why it's flagged

   Endocrine-activity debate; common consumer avoid-list item. EU-permitted preservative.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

6. PropylparabenModerate concernEndocrine-activity concern; tighter EU limits than methyl/ethyl.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: preservative and fragrance. About Propylparaben

   Why it's flagged

   Endocrine-activity concern; tighter EU limits than methyl/ethyl.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

7. PetrolatumMinor concernCosmetic-grade petrolatum is highly refined. The EU prohibits petrolatum only when its full refining history is not known and it cannot be shown to be free of carcinogenic impurities.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: uv absorber and moisturising. About Petrolatum

   Why it's flagged

   Cosmetic-grade petrolatum is highly refined. The EU prohibits petrolatum only when its full refining history is not known and it cannot be shown to be free of carcinogenic impurities.

   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.

8. PolyacrylamideMinor concernFilm-forming or conditioning polymer made from acrylamide. The polymer itself is not the concern: the EU limits the leftover acrylamide monomer (a carcinogen) to 0.1 mg/kg in leave-on body products and 0.5 mg/kg in others, a purity specification the raw material has to meet.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: antistatic and binding. About Polyacrylamide

   Why it's flagged

   Film-forming or conditioning polymer made from acrylamide. The polymer itself is not the concern: the EU limits the leftover acrylamide monomer (a carcinogen) to 0.1 mg/kg in leave-on body products and 0.5 mg/kg in others, a purity specification the raw material has to meet.

   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 31 ingredients recognised.