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Shampoo Color Natural Black
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 5.0 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This hair color product contains several ingredients of significant concern for dermal exposure, including p-Phenylenediamine and Resorcinol, which are potent sensitizers and potential endocrine disruptors. The presence of an undisclosed 'Fragrance' blend further increases the risk of allergic reactions for sensitive individuals. While some conditioning agents are present, the formulation is dominated by ingredients with known irritation and sensitization potential, making it less suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Ascorbic acid
- Coconut oil
- Coffee Seed Extract
- Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
- Citric Acid
- +1 more →
Contains hair dye sensitizers, endocrine disruptor, and undisclosed fragrance
This hair color product includes p-Phenylenediamine and Resorcinol, which are strong sensitizers and Resorcinol is also a thyroid disruptor, restricted in the EU. Sodium Laureth Sulfate can irritate sensitive skin, and the undisclosed 'Fragrance' is a common source of allergens. These ingredients pose a significant risk of allergic reactions and irritation, especially with prolonged skin contact during use.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Avoiding certain additives or colours — Resorcinol is declared.
Personal check · free
Is this right for you or your family?
Just checking whether the product is safe? The analysis above is yours, no account needed. To know if it is safe for you, your father or your child, add a profile and we check this label against them.
- Ingredients you avoid. Sulphates, parabens, silicones, fragrance, drying alcohol, PEGs and more.
- Sensitivities. Sensitive skin, hormonal considerations, pregnancy.
- Skin and hair goals. Acne, dryness, ageing, hair fall, dandruff: what the label declares for each.
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Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for haircare. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Why the score is capped
Primary surfactant with recognised irritation potential (EU SCCS)
Rule PC-CAP-05
Undisclosed fragrance (allergens not named)
Rule PC-CAP-06
What's good
Contains natural oils (Coconut oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil) for conditioning
Includes antioxidants like Ascorbic acid and Coffee Seed Extract
Watch out for
High potential for allergic reactions and skin irritation due to multiple sensitizing hair dye ingredients (p-Phenylenediamine, Resorcinol, 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol HCl)
Presence of an undisclosed 'Fragrance' blend increases the risk of allergic contact dermatitis
Sodium Laureth Sulfate can be irritating to sensitive skin
Resorcinol is a known endocrine disruptor (thyroid)
Sulfite preservative (Sodium Metabisulfite) can trigger asthma and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
Ethanolamine — alkalizing agent, can be irritating to skin and eyes, and may form nitrosamines.
TETRASODIUM EDTA — tetrasodium EDTA is a chelating agent that keeps a product stable and clear. It has been flagged in some studies for potential endocrine-disrupting properties; regulatory consensus is not yet established, so it is noted as a low-level concern rather than a confirmed hazard.
Ingredient Concerns safety database
Sources cited below may be Indian (FSSAI) or international (EU, US, WHO, IARC) — an international classification or law is evidence, not an Indian regulatory finding.
Resorcinol
Resorcinol disrupts thyroid function by inhibiting iodine uptake. The EU restricts its use in hair dyes and prohibits it in lotions/creams. Individuals with hypothyroidism or thyroid conditions should avoid products containing resorcinol.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU SCCS Opinion 2018; EFSA
Resorcinol: regulation, sources and other products →Sodium Benzoate (E211)
Benzoates are permitted preservatives with an established acceptable daily intake. Two documented concerns: in acidic drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C) they can slowly form small amounts of benzene, especially with heat and light (US FDA beverage survey, 2006); and sodium benzoate was one of the additives in the Southampton study mixtures associated with hyperactivity in children. It can also trigger reactions in some people with asthma or urticaria.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA re-evaluation of benzoic acid and benzoates (2016); US FDA benzene-in-beverages survey (2006); McCann et al., Lancet 2007
Sodium Benzoate: regulation, sources and other products →Sulfites
Sulfur dioxide and the sulfites can provoke breathing difficulty in some people with asthma and reactions in others who are sulfite-sensitive. The EU treats them as a labelled allergen above 10 mg/kg, and the EU food safety authority re-evaluated them in 2016. It matters mostly to people with asthma or a known sensitivity.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA re-evaluation of sulfur dioxide-sulfites (E 220-228), EFSA Journal 2016;14(4):4438; EU Regulation 1169/2011 Annex II
Sulfites: regulation, sources and other products →Sodium Laureth Sulfate
SLES is a cleansing agent that is milder than SLS but can still irritate very sensitive or compromised skin. Separately, because it is made by ethoxylation, it may carry a residue of 1,4-dioxane, which IARC classifies as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). The ingredient list cannot show whether any is present or how much. The EU SCCS considers 1,4-dioxane at or below 10 ppm in a finished cosmetic to be safe, and manufacturers reduce it by vacuum stripping.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: FDA; EU SCCS
Sodium Laureth Sulfate: regulation, sources and other products →Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol is the most widely used paraben-free preservative. The EU limits it to 1% in cosmetics (SCCS has confirmed this is safe for adults), and the French regulator ANSM advised in 2012 against leave-on products containing it for the nappy area of children under three and recommended a lower concentration for them. It can irritate sensitive skin.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 1223/2009 Annex V (max 1.0%); SCCS opinion SCCS/1575/16; ANSM recommendation (2012)
Phenoxyethanol: regulation, sources and other products →Fragrance
"Fragrance" or "parfum" is a catch-all term that can conceal a blend of hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, including known allergens, sensitisers, and potential endocrine disruptors. The EU now mandates disclosure of 82 specific fragrance allergens. People with fragrance sensitivity, asthma, or contact dermatitis should prefer fragrance-free products.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 2023/1545; IFRA
Fragrance: regulation, sources and other products →Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cocamidopropyl betaine is the usual "gentle" co-surfactant in shampoos, face washes and baby washes. It was named Allergen of the Year by the American Contact Dermatitis Society in 2004; the reactions are attributed mainly to impurities (amidoamine, DMAPA) and are uncommon, but it is a common cause of surfactant allergy in people with eczema.
Peer-reviewed research Source: American Contact Dermatitis Society - Allergen of the Year 2004; contact-dermatitis literature
Cocamidopropyl Betaine: regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Contains p-Phenylenediamine, a potent contact allergen and sensitizer, which is a common cause of allergic reactions to hair dyes.
Contains Resorcinol, a hair dye component classified as a thyroid disruptor and restricted in the EU.
Contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which can irritate sensitive skin and may carry a 1,4-dioxane impurity (IARC Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans), though EU SCCS considers ≤10 ppm safe in finished products.
Contains an undisclosed 'Fragrance' blend, which is a common source of allergens and can cause sensitization in susceptible individuals.
Contains Sodium Metabisulfite, a sulfite preservative that can trigger asthma and allergic reactions in sulfite-sensitive people.
Contains Cocamidopropyl Betaine, a recognized contact allergen, mostly due to manufacturing impurities.
Combined Effects interactions
Under certain conditions (heat, light, presence of metal ions), Sodium Benzoate and Ascorbic Acid can react to form benzene, a known carcinogen. While this is more of a concern in food and beverages, the potential exists.
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
The claim refers to a specific shade or color, which cannot be verified from the ingredient list.
The claim states a processing time, which cannot be verified from the ingredient list.
The claim describes the product's base, which cannot be definitively verified from the ingredient list alone without further information on the formulation.
The claim of 100% grey coverage is a performance claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list.
The claim of 5 weeks long-lasting color is a performance claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list.
The ingredient list includes 'COFFEE SEED EXTRACT' and 'ARGANIA SPINOSA KERNEL OIL', confirming the presence of both coffee extracts and argan oil.
The ingredient list does not contain ammonia or any common ammonia-releasing compounds.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
34 entries as printed on the label · 33 distinct ingredients (some are declared more than once).
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1.
Water listed twiceWATER
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2.
EthanolamineETHANOLAMINE
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3.
p-Phenylenediaminep-PHENYLENEDIAMINE
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4.
Cocamidopropyl BetaineCOCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE
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5.
ResorcinolRESORCINOL
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6.
Sodium Laureth SulfateSODIUM LAURETH SULFATE
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7.
2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol HCl2,4-DIAMINOPHENOXYETHANOL HCL
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8.
Ascorbic AcidASCORBIC ACID
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9.
Coconut OilCOCONUT OIL
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10.
Sodium MetabisulfiteSODIUM METABISULFITE
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11.
Sodium ChlorideSODIUM CHLORIDE
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12.
Sodium BenzoateSODIUM BENZOATE
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13.
Coffee Seed ExtractCOFFEE SEED EXTRACT
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14.
Argania Spinosa Kernel OilARGANIA SPINOSA KERNEL OIL
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15.
Ethylhexyl SalicylateETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE
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16.
CarbomerCARBOMER
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17.
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate CopolymerACRYLATES/BEHENETH-25 METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER
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18.
EDTA
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19.
Citric AcidCITRIC ACID
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20.
Potassium SorbatePOTASSIUM SORBATE
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21.
GlycerinGLYCERIN
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22.
Fragrance undisclosed fragranceFRAGRANCE (F.I.L C248454/2)
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23.
Water listed twiceWATER
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24.
Hydrogen PeroxideHYDROGEN PEROXIDE
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25.
Cetearyl AlcoholCETEARYL ALCOHOL
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26.
Ceteareth-33CETEARETH-33
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27.
Sodium SalicylateSODIUM SALICYLATE
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28.
Beheneth-10BEHENETH-10
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29.
Polyquaternium-6POLYQUATERNIUM-6
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30.
Phosphoric AcidPHOSPHORIC ACID
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31.
Mineral Oil trace amountMINERAL OIL
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32.
Tetrasodium EtidronateTETRASODIUM ETIDRONATE
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33.
Tetrasodium PyrophosphateTETRASODIUM PYROPHOSPHATE
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34.
Tetrasodium EDTATETRASODIUM EDTA (F.I.L C240664/2)
Trace amounts: some named ingredients appear in token quantities or low in the list. At these concentrations a meaningful benefit is unlikely, and their front-of-pack prominence may not reflect their level in the formulation.
Listed twice: an ingredient appears more than once in the same part of the list. This may indicate two separate ingredient blends in the formulation, or a duplication in how the label was recorded.
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
Declared on this label as
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
What are the ingredients in Shampoo Color Natural Black?
The label of Shampoo Color Natural Black lists 33 ingredients, in label order: Ethanolamine, p-Phenylenediamine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Resorcinol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol HCl, Ascorbic acid, Coconut oil, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Coffee Seed Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Carbomer, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, EDTA, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin, Fragrance, Water, Hydrogen Peroxide, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, Ceteareth-33, Sodium Salicylate, Beheneth-10, Polyquaternium-6, Phosphoric Acid, Mineral Oil, TETRASODIUM ETIDRONATE, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, TETRASODIUM EDTA. Flagged by the analysis: Resorcinol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol HCl, Fragrance, p-Phenylenediamine and 4 more.
Is Shampoo Color Natural Black safe to use?
Shampoo Color Natural Black scores 5.0/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This hair color product includes p-Phenylenediamine and Resorcinol, which are strong sensitizers and Resorcinol is also a thyroid disruptor, restricted in the EU. Sodium Laureth Sulfate can irritate sensitive skin, and the undisclosed 'Fragrance' is a common source of allergens. These ingredients pose a significant risk of allergic reactions and irritation, especially with prolonged skin contact during use.
Why does Shampoo Color Natural Black score 5.0/10?
Flagged in the score: High potential for allergic reactions and skin irritation due to multiple sensitizing hair dye ingredients (p-Phenylenediamine, Resorcinol, 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol HCl). Presence of an undisclosed 'Fragrance' blend increases the risk of allergic contact dermatitis. Sodium Laureth Sulfate can be irritating to sensitive skin.
Who should avoid Shampoo Color Natural Black?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Sensitive skin or contact allergies; Avoiding p-Phenylenediamine; Avoiding Resorcinol; Fragrance allergy; Sulfite sensitivity.
Does Shampoo Color Natural Black contain fragrance?
Yes — the ingredient list includes Fragrance. Fragrance is declared as a single ingredient, so the individual scent chemicals in it are not named. This matters mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Are the claims on the Shampoo Color Natural Black pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 7 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "1.0 NATURAL BLACK" — can't be verified from the label. "IN 5 MINUTES" — can't be verified from the label. "SHAMPOO BASED HAIR COLOR" — can't be verified from the label.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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