Shea butter & vanilla body wash

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, Butylphenyl Methylpropional.

1. Butylphenyl MethylpropionalCritical concernEU-banned (CMR 1B) in cosmetics since March 2022. Rated at least high; critical when the linked chemindex record confirms the Annex II ban for this ingredient.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: perfuming and fragrance. About Butylphenyl Methylpropional

   Why it's flagged

   EU-banned (CMR 1B) in cosmetics since March 2022. Rated at least high; critical when the linked chemindex record confirms the Annex II ban for this ingredient.

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex II — substances prohibited in cosmetics; 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. 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.

4. 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.

Assessed against the label as captured: all 34 ingredients recognised.