Blemish control

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, Retinol.

1. RetinolHigh 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: flavouring and conditioner. About Retinol

   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. Salicylic AcidModerate concernEU-permitted exfoliant and preservative within Annex III concentration limits (about 2 % in most products, 0.5 % as a preservative) and not for children under 3 except in shampoo. It is classified as a suspected reproductive toxicant (CMR category 2), so the limits matter.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: preservative and skin conditioning. About Salicylic Acid

   Why it's flagged

   EU-permitted exfoliant and preservative within Annex III concentration limits (about 2 % in most products, 0.5 % as a preservative) and not for children under 3 except in shampoo. It is classified as a suspected reproductive toxicant (CMR category 2), so the limits matter.

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III — allowed only within set limits and conditions; EU classification as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (category 2); 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.

3. Potassium HydroxideMinor concernAlkali (lye). It is used up in the product: as a pH adjuster it neutralises an acid in the formula, and in soft or liquid 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: chelating agent and ph adjuster. About Potassium 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 soft or liquid 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.

Assessed against the label as captured: all 29 ingredients recognised.