Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturiser Face Cream 50g

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, 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. Dmdm HydantoinHigh concernFormaldehyde releaser; formaldehyde is a known carcinogen/sensitizer.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: preservative and fragrance. About Dmdm Hydantoin

   Why it's flagged

   Formaldehyde releaser; formaldehyde is a known carcinogen/sensitizer.

   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. Titanium DioxideMinor concernPermitted white pigment and UV filter. Inhaled titanium dioxide powder is a suspected carcinogen, so the EU restricts it in loose face powders and hair sprays and bars it from any product that could be breathed in; in creams, toothpaste and other non-sprayed products those limits do not come into play.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: uv filter and uv absorber. About Titanium Dioxide

   Why it's flagged

   Permitted white pigment and UV filter. Inhaled titanium dioxide powder is a suspected carcinogen, so the EU restricts it in loose face powders and hair sprays and bars it from any product that could be breathed in; in creams, toothpaste and other non-sprayed products those limits do not come into play.

   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. PolyacrylamideMinor 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 binding. About Polyacrylamide

   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 24 ingredients recognised.