Eczema relief body lotion

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, Mineral Ol.

1. Mineral OlMinor 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 Mineral Ol

   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.

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.

3. 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.

Assessed against the label as captured: 17 of 20 ingredients recognised.