Extra Color Après-Shampooing

Why it's rated this way

7 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. Salicylic AcidModerate concernEU-permitted exfoliant and preservative within Annex III concentration limits (about 2 % in most products, 0.5 % as a preservative) and not for children under 3 except in shampoo. It is classified as a suspected reproductive toxicant (CMR category 2), so the limits matter.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: preservative and skin conditioning. About Salicylic Acid

   Why it's flagged

   EU-permitted exfoliant and preservative within Annex III concentration limits (about 2 % in most products, 0.5 % as a preservative) and not for children under 3 except in shampoo. It is classified as a suspected reproductive toxicant (CMR category 2), so the limits matter.

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III — allowed only within set limits and conditions; EU classification as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (category 2); 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.

4. 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.

5. Cetrimonium ChlorideMinor concernHair-conditioning quaternary ammonium. It irritates skin and eyes at high strength, so the EU caps it (other than as a preservative) at 2.5 % in rinse-off hair products, 1 % in leave-on hair products and 0.5 % in leave-on face products — the levels the SCCS found safe.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: preservative and antimicrobial. About Cetrimonium 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 2.5 % in rinse-off hair products, 1 % in leave-on hair products and 0.5 % in leave-on face 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.

6. 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.

7. 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: 30 of 31 ingredients recognised.