Glysomed hand cream

Why it's rated this way

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

1. EthoxydiglycolHigh concernEU CosIng Annex III

   What it is

   Its recorded role: humectant and solvent. About Ethoxydiglycol

   Why it's flagged

   EU CosIng Annex III

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III — allowed only within set limits and conditions.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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: all 28 ingredients recognised.