Paraffin Hand Mask

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, Retinyl Palmitate.

1. Retinyl PalmitateHigh 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: skin conditioning and antioxidant. About Retinyl Palmitate

   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. 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.

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: all 13 ingredients recognised.