Camphor
Decode Label flags Camphor as a low concern in cosmetics and personal care (neurotoxin). It appears in 7 of the 893 published products we have analysed (0.8%).
The concern
Can cause seizures if swallowed in quantity — supervise young children
Camphor gives a cooling, medicinal sensation and is a traditional ingredient in Ayurvedic oral-care and balm products. Swallowed in quantity it is toxic: a US poison-centre practice guideline refers anyone who has swallowed more than 30 mg of camphor per kg of body weight to an emergency department, because convulsions can follow. That threshold is far above what normal brushing involves, and the label does not show how much camphor a dose of this product carries, so this is a caution about young children who swallow toothpaste, not a finding of harm from ordinary use. In the US, camphorated oil drug products need new-drug approval.
Most relevant to
Cited authority
Manoguerra AS et al., Camphor Poisoning: An Evidence-Based Practice Guideline for Out-of-Hospital Management, Clinical Toxicology 44:357–370 (2006), American Association of Poison Control Centers; US FDA 21 CFR 310.502(a)(4)
Linked sources: EU-CosIng →
How common it is in this catalogue
Measured across every product Decode Label has analysed — not estimated, and not taken from anyone else's dataset.
By category
Regulatory position
From the published regulation itself. Each row links to its source.
| Authority | Status | Reference | Scope / limit | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU-CosIng | Restricted | Annex III 331 | — | View → |
Identity
- Canonical name
- Bornan-2-one; 1,7,7-Trimethylbi- cyclo[2.2.1]- 2-heptanone
- INCI name
- Camphor
- CAS number
- 76-22-2
- EC number
- 200-945-0
Also appears on labels as
Questions
Is Camphor safe?
The EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 permits Camphor in cosmetics only within set limits (Annex III, entry 331). Why it is flagged: Can cause seizures if swallowed in quantity — supervise young children. Decode Label treats it as a low concern in cosmetics and personal care. It appears in 7 of the 893 published products we have analysed (0.8%).
How common is Camphor in Indian packaged products?
Decode Label found Camphor in 7 of 893 published products (0.8%), most often in Oral Care, Bath & Body.
Is Camphor restricted or banned anywhere?
Under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (CosIng), Camphor has 1 restricted entry. Each is shown with its annex reference and a link to the source in the Regulatory position table.
Who should be most careful with Camphor?
Children.
Products containing Camphor
7 published products, each with its own full analysis.
Method and limits
- Prevalence counts published products whose decoded ingredient list matches this substance or one of its label synonyms, using the same matching the score itself uses. It describes our catalogue of 893 products, not the Indian market as a whole.
- Presence is not dose. An ingredient list gives order, not quantity, unless the pack declares a percentage. Nothing here estimates how much of this substance any product contains.
- A classification is not a verdict on a product. An agency classifies a substance under defined conditions of exposure; whether that matters in a given food or cosmetic depends on route, concentration and use.
- Last updated. This register entry was last changed on 4 October 2026.
- Corrections. Every figure here is reproducible from the sources named. If something is wrong, tell us and we will correct it and say what changed.