Men + Care Extra Fresh — ingredient safety report

• Hormone disruption:Classified as toxic to reproduction (CMR 1B); banned in the EU since March 2022.
• Allergy risk:Well-documented fragrance sensitizer.

The lily-of-the-valley scent 'Lilial', banned in EU cosmetics in 2022 after being classified as presumed toxic to human reproduction. Still legal in some other markets — check older or imported products.

• Cancer concern:Slowly releases formaldehyde, an IARC Group 1 carcinogen.
• Allergy risk:Frequent cause of preservative contact dermatitis.

A formaldehyde-releasing preservative used in creams, shampoos and wipes. The slow formaldehyde release preserves the product but exposes skin to a known carcinogen and allergen.

• Allergy risk:Fragrance is the single most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy.
• Irritation:Frequent trigger of stinging and redness on reactive skin.

An umbrella term that can hide dozens of undisclosed scent chemicals. Fragrance is the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis from cosmetics, and dermatologists routinely advise fragrance-free products for eczema, babies and sensitive skin.

• Irritation:Milder than SLS but still drying for compromised skin.

The gentler cousin of SLS used in most mainstream shampoos and washes. Its manufacturing can leave trace 1,4-dioxane, which reputable makers strip out — an issue of quality control rather than the ingredient itself.

• Irritation:Sensory irritant; the cooling feeling signals nerve stimulation, not soothing.

The cooling molecule from mint. Refreshing on healthy skin but a genuine irritant for reactive, broken or infant skin.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen; oxidation products are potent sensitizers.

The citrus-peel scent molecule. Like linalool, it becomes allergenic mainly after oxidizing in opened products.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen; oxidized linalool is a common patch-test positive.

A floral scent molecule found in lavender and many essential oils. It oxidizes on air exposure into strongly sensitizing compounds, which is why it must be declared on EU labels.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable fragrance allergen.

A rose-type scent component on the EU's mandatory-declaration allergen list.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable fragrance allergen.

A common jasmine-scented ingredient in fine fragrance and skincare, declared as an allergen on EU labels.

• Environmental impact:Synthetic polymer counted as a microplastic under the EU restriction when in particle form.

A common film-forming polymer scrutinized under the EU's microplastics restriction; skin safety itself is well established.

• Environmental impact:Poorly biodegradable; can remobilize heavy metals in waterways.

A metal-binding stabilizer that is safe on skin at the tiny amounts used; its criticism is environmental persistence.

• Allergy risk:Rare hypersensitivity reactions, better documented in food than cosmetics.

Tartrazine yellow dye; approved for cosmetics with rare sensitivity reactions reported.

• Cancer concern:Concern applies only to unrefined grades containing PAHs; cosmetic grade is highly refined (EU-mandated).

The most effective occlusive known and a staple of eczema care. The cancer concern belongs to unrefined industrial grades — pharmaceutical-grade petrolatum in cosmetics is rigorously purified.

• Allergy risk:Rare reports of sensitivity.

A widely approved blue dye with a benign cosmetic safety record.