Formaldehyde
Decode Label flags Formaldehyde as a high concern in cosmetics and personal care (carcinogen). It was not found in any of the 893 published products we have analysed.
The concern
Preservative — known carcinogen (IARC Group 1)
Formaldehyde is classified as a known human carcinogen by IARC (Group 1). It is banned or restricted in cosmetics in the EU and many countries, though still found in some nail polishes and hair straightening products. Avoid all products listing formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.
Most relevant to
Not found in this catalogue
0 of 893 published products Decode Label has analysed list Formaldehyde or any of its label synonyms. That describes this catalogue, not the Indian market as a whole. If a product we score lists it, it will appear here and its score will reflect it.
Regulatory position
From the published regulation itself. Each row links to its source.
| Authority | Status | Reference | Scope / limit | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU-CosIng | Prohibited CMR | Annex II 1577 | — | View → |
Hazard classification
Identity
- Canonical name
- Formaldehyde
- INCI name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS number
- 50-00-0
- EC number
- 200-001-8
Also appears on labels as
Questions
Is Formaldehyde safe?
The EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 prohibits Formaldehyde in cosmetics (Annex II, entry 1577). Why it is flagged: Preservative — known carcinogen (IARC Group 1). Decode Label treats it as a high concern in cosmetics and personal care. It was not found in any of the 893 published products we have analysed.
How common is Formaldehyde in Indian packaged products?
Decode Label has not found Formaldehyde in any of the 893 published products analysed so far. That describes this catalogue, not the Indian market as a whole.
Which authorities have classified Formaldehyde?
IARC — IARC Group 1.
Is Formaldehyde restricted or banned anywhere?
Under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (CosIng), Formaldehyde has 1 prohibited 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 Formaldehyde?
Anyone using this regularly.
Related ingredients
Other entries in the register with the same kind of concern.
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 28 September 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.