12 Beauty Ingredients Banned in Europe, But Still Legal In the US

Occeanne
6d
6 min read

Eighty Years Later, We’re Still Playing By The Same Skincare Rulebook

When the U.S. last passed a major law regulating cosmetic safety, Amelia Earhart had just vanished. The year was 1938, and “skincare” meant cold cream and powder compacts. Since then, the beauty industry has transformed, but our laws haven’t kept up.

The last time the U.S. actually banned a cosmetic ingredient was 1988. To date, fewer than 20 ingredients are prohibited for use in personal-care products.

In contrast, the European Union has banned or restricted over 1,600, the most recent changes taking effect in 2024.

That means many everyday products sold in the U.S. still contain ingredients Europe considers unsafe, from parabens to formaldehyde-releasers.

Knowledge is the first step to cleaner, safer choices.

Why Are These Ingredients Still Used In the US

In Europe, the very same brands often sell reformulated versions to meet stricter safety standards. So why haven’t those formulas made their way here?

Because many of these ingredients are:

Cheaper to produce
Extend shelf life
Improve texture or fragrance.
Hard (and costly) to reformulate.
Protected by vague labeling terms like fragrance.
Unregulated under the word “clean”, which has no legal definition

Most of us don’t check the label every time we buy a product, and manufacturers know it.

Why EU Banned Ingredients Matter

European bans don’t happen overnight. They follow risk assessments showing an ingredient may:

Disrupt hormones
Contain or release carcinogens
Irritate or damage skin
Pollute waterways and ecosystems
Bioaccumulate (build up in the body over time)

These bans represent the precautionary principle, the idea that if an ingredient raises serious concern, regulators act first and ask questions later.

In the U.S., the system works the opposite way: an ingredient is allowed until it’s proven dangerous.

12 Ingredients To Watch Out For

Here’s what’s still showing up on American shelves, and why Europe said no.

Coal Tar Dyes

Banned in Europe: Since the 1970s (multiple listings under EU Annex II)
Why: Contains impurities like benzidine, a known carcinogen. Linked to skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Found in: Hair dyes, mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks, and vivid eyeshadows.
How common: Still found in many brightly coloured hair products and bold eye makeup sold in the U.S.
How to spot it: Look for CI 17200, CI 42090, or labels with FD&C or D&C + Color + Number.
Why avoid: Coal tar is a by-product of petroleum. These dyes can cause skin sensitivities and may carry trace toxins.
DEA / Mea / TEA (Ethanolamines)

Banned / Restricted in Europe: Since 2009 for certain uses due to nitrosamine formation.
Why: Can react with other ingredients to form nitrosamines which are potential carcinogens.
Found in: Shampoos, shaving creams, and foaming cleansers.
How common: Still used in many drugstore foaming products and haircare.
How to spot it: Look for triethanolamine, diethanolamine, or monoethanolamine.
Why avoid: Repeated exposure can irritate skin and, over time, may contribute to toxic buildup.
DMDM hydantoin

Banned / Restricted in Europe: Banned / Restricted in Europe: Restricted since 2019 under Annex V; no longer permitted in leave-on products due to formaldehyde classification.
Why: Slowly releases formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen and sensitizer.
Found in: Shampoos, conditioners, and styling products.
How common: Used in many mainstream haircare brands to prevent spoilage.
How to spot it: Look directly for DMDM Hydantoin or related preservatives like imidazolidinyl urea.
Why avoid: Even small doses of formaldehyde can cause irritation or allergic reactions over time.
Formaldehyde (and Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives)

Banned in Europe: Since 2019 (Annex II)
Why: Classified as a carcinogen and respiratory irritant.
Found in: Hair-smoothing and straightening treatments, nail hardeners, some liquid soaps, lotions, and even shampoos
How common: Still found in certain salon hair treatments, nail products, and a few older or budget U.S. personal-care formulas.
How to spot it: Formalin, methylene glycol, quaternium 15, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, bronopol
Why avoid: Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and repeated or long-term exposure may lead to skin sensitization or allergic contact dermatitis.
Hydroquinone

Banned in Europe: Since 2001
Why: Associated with ochronosis (bluish skin discoloration) and potential carcinogenic effects.
Found in: Skin-lightening creams and hyperpigmentation treatments.
How common: Often found in spot treatments sold online in the U.S.
How to spot it: Hydroquinone, benzene-1,4-diol.
Why avoid: Long-term use can permanently damage skin. Safer options include vitamin C, licorice-root extract, or niacinamide.
Lead and Lead Compounds

Banned in Europe: Since 1976
Why: Neurotoxin linked to developmental and reproductive harm.
Found in: Some lipsticks, eyeliners, and traditional cosmetics.
How common: Not intentionally added but still found as trace contaminants in some U.S. products.
How to spot it: Rarely listed on labels, but heavy-metal tests often find trace lead in bright lip colours
Why avoid: Even small exposures accumulate in the body; there’s no safe level.
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)

Banned / Restricted in Europe: Banned in leave-on products since 2017, limited in rinse-off.
Why: High rates of contact allergy and dermatitis.
Found in: Shampoos, wipes, and liquid soaps.
How common: Still common in budget-friendly haircare, skincare, and household products.
How to spot it: Methylisothiazolinone or Methylchloroisothiazolinone.
Why avoid: Common trigger for sensitive skin, especially around eyes and scalp.
Microplastics

Banned in Europe: 2024 microplastic restriction (phased through 2035).
Why: Persist in waterways and marine life; contribute to ocean pollution.
Found in: Exfoliating scrubs, glitter makeup, long-wear mascara, hair styling products.
How common: Very common in conventional beauty and body care formulas in the U.S.
How to spot it: Polyethylene, Acrylates Copolymer, Nylon-12, Polypropylene.
Why avoid: Microplastics don’t biodegrade, they wash straight into the ocean.
Parabens (Certain Types)

Banned / Restricted in Europe: Since 2014 (isopropyl-, isobutyl-, phenyl-, benzyl-, pentylparaben).
Why: Potential endocrine disruptors linked to reproductive and developmental concerns.
Found in: Moisturisers, makeup, sunscreen, deodorant, cleansers, and many hair and body care products.
How common: Still one of the most frequently used preservatives in U.S. products.
How to spot it: Anything ending in -paraben.
Why avoid: Some parabens may mimic estrogen in the body and may interfere with hormone balance. They have been linked to potential endocrine disruption, and cumulative exposure through multiple products is a growing concern. Many brands now use safer alternatives such as sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate.
Phthalates

Banned in Europe: Since early 2000s; expanded restrictions in 2020.
Why: Hormone disruption and reproductive toxicity.
Found in: Fragrance blends, nail polish, hair spray, and plastics.
How common: Extremely common, particularly in products listing “fragrance”.
How to spot it: Hidden under “fragrance” or listed as DEP, DBP, DEHP.
Why avoid: Some phthalates may interfere with the body’s natural hormone balance and have raised concerns about potential effects on reproductive health. They're often invisible, but avoiding undisclosed fragrance and looking for phthalate-free labels helps.
Quaternium-15
Banned in Europe: 2017
Why: Another formaldehyde-releasing preservative with strong allergenic potential.
Found in: Shampoos, lotions, and baby products.
How common: Still used in many U.S. personal-care items for its low cost
How to spot it: Quaternium-15.
Why avoid: Formaldehyde is classified as a known human carcinogen and a skin sensitiser, and frequent contact can cause dermatitis and allergic responses.
Triclosan

Banned in Europe: 2014 (in cosmetics)
Why: Linked to bacterial resistance, hormone disruption, and environmental toxicity.
Found in: Antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, deodorants.
How common: The U.S. banned it in hand soaps in 2016, but it remains in some personal-care items toothpaste, deodorant, and some cosmetics.
How to spot it: Triclosan or Triclocarban.
Why avoid: Triclosan may contribute to antibiotic resistance and can disrupt the natural balance of the skin’s microbiome. It also persists in the environment, where it may affect aquatic life.

How to Make Informed Choices

The good news is that many brands are moving toward safer formulations not because the law demands it, but because consumers do.

Here’s how you can shop smarter:

Choose transparent brands you trust. Look for brands that share full ingredient lists and are clear about what they leave out.
Read ingredient labels. Ingredients are listed from highest to lowest concentration, so the first few often matter most.
Be cautious with the word “fragrance.” It can legally hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals. Opt for fragrance-free products or those that clearly list natural fragrance sources.
Use verified databases. Check ingredients on resources such as EWG Skin Deep or Think Dirty to learn more about safety and sourcing.
Look for reputable certifications. COSMOS and ECOCERT focus on clean formulation and sustainability standards, while Leaping Bunny verifies cruelty-free practices.
Follow the 80/20 rule. Focus on avoiding the biggest red-flag ingredients most of the time and aim for progress that feels manageable.

Small swaps add up.

The Ingredient Hiding in Plain Sight

Fragrance may be the hardest one to avoid because it sounds harmless. That single word can legally conceal hundreds of undisclosed chemicals including phthalates and synthetic musks. If you are unsure, choose products that list essential oils, are fragrance free, or clearly disclose fragrance components.

The Takeaway

Clean beauty isn’t all about rules or restriction. It’s about transparency and progress.

Europe may have stricter laws, but people everywhere share the same goal where skincare that is safe for us and for the planet.

When you understand what is in your products, you can make better choices. The more consumers demand transparency, the faster the industry evolves.

Want To Learn More?

Our A–Z Guide of Skincare Ingredients To Avoid is free when you subscribe to our newsletter. It breaks down ingredients in simple language so you can shop with confidence and facts.