Herbal Essences Bio Renew Coconut Milk & Aloe Deep Hydrate Mask 300mL

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, Methylisothiazolinone.

1. MethylisothiazolinoneHigh concernPotent contact sensitizer; banned in EU leave-on cosmetics since 2017.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: preservative and antioxidant. About Methylisothiazolinone

   Why it's flagged

   Potent contact sensitizer; banned in EU leave-on cosmetics since 2017.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

2. MethylchloroisothiazolinoneHigh concernPotent contact sensitizer (MCI).

   What it is

   Its recorded role: preservative and antioxidant. About Methylchloroisothiazolinone

   Why it's flagged

   Potent contact sensitizer (MCI).

   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. 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.

4. Behentrimonium ChlorideMinor concernHair-conditioning quaternary ammonium. It irritates skin and eyes at high strength, so the EU caps it (other than as a preservative) at 5 % in rinse-off hair products and 3 % in leave-on products — the levels the SCCS found safe.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: preservative and antimicrobial. About Behentrimonium Chloride

   Why it's flagged

   Hair-conditioning quaternary ammonium. It irritates skin and eyes at high strength, so the EU caps it (other than as a preservative) at 5 % in rinse-off hair products and 3 % in leave-on products — the levels the SCCS found safe.

   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 19 ingredients recognised.