Hand cream

Why it's rated this way

4 ingredients on this label are flagged. A cosmetic's rating is set by its most serious finding — here, Butylphenyl Methylpropional.

1. Butylphenyl MethylpropionalCritical concernEU-banned (CMR 1B) in cosmetics since March 2022. Rated at least high; critical when the linked chemindex record confirms the Annex II ban for this ingredient.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: perfuming and fragrance. About Butylphenyl Methylpropional

   Why it's flagged

   EU-banned (CMR 1B) in cosmetics since March 2022. Rated at least high; critical when the linked chemindex record confirms the Annex II ban for this ingredient.

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex II — substances prohibited in cosmetics; Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Acrylamide/Sodium Acrylate CopolymerMinor 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 film forming. About Acrylamide/Sodium Acrylate Copolymer

   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 35 ingredients recognised.