Red flag
Evidence key Strong Moderate Weak How we grade
Banned in EU cosmetics Reproductive toxicant Endocrine disruptor (EU) Possible carcinogen Chemical of concern
- What it can be used for
- Adds scent, dissolves other ingredients and keeps films flexible (the functions the EU ingredient database, CosIng, lists for it; a product may use it for any of them)
- CAS number
- 84-74-2
Why it’s flagged
Prohibited in cosmetics in the EU.
- Annex II entry 675. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex II (prohibited)
Annex II of the EU Cosmetics Regulation lists substances that must not be used in cosmetics sold in the EU.
Classified as a reproductive toxicant (may damage fertility or the unborn child).
- EU classification Repr. 1B. Source: EU CLP Regulation, Annex VI harmonized classification
EU Repr. 1A or 1B: may damage fertility or the unborn child.
Identified as an endocrine disruptor at EU level (ED List I).
- EU ED List I: identified as an endocrine disruptor at EU level. Source: EU endocrine disruptor lists (edlists.org)
EU ED List I: substances identified as endocrine (hormone) disruptors under EU law.
Classified as a possible or suspected human carcinogen.
- IARC Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). Source: IARC Monographs list of classifications
IARC Group 2B means possibly carcinogenic to humans. EU Carc. 2 means suspected human carcinogen. These describe a hazard, not the risk at the amount in one product.
Listed as a chemical of concern by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
- “Phthalates”. Source: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is an advocacy group. Its profiles explain why it considers these ingredients a concern.
What the research says
- In FDA's 2006 cosmetics survey, fragrance products carried the highest diethyl phthalate levels of any category tested (up to 3.9% by weight), and nail products carried the highest dibutyl phthalate levels (up to 6% by weight). Moderate evidence. Hubinger & Havery 2006
- In a Danish–Finnish study (hormones measured in 96 of 130 baby boys), some phthalates in mothers' breast milk went with hormone changes at 3 months that point to weaker male-hormone action (higher SHBG; lower free testosterone for dibutyl phthalate only). Weak evidence. Main 2006
- Baby boys whose mothers' milk contained more dibutyl phthalate had slightly lower free testosterone at 3 months (about 15% lower per 10-fold rise). For diethyl phthalate, the fragrance phthalate, the link was with higher SHBG, and its free-testosterone trend was not significant. These are correlations in 96 boys, not proof of harm. Weak evidence. Main 2006
About ingredients flagged like this one:
- The EU bans more than 1,400 substances from cosmetics, while US rules restrict only a handful. Moderate evidence. Alblooshi 2025
Each finding shows its evidence grade. See every graded fact or how we grade.
What this page can’t tell you
These lists describe what a substance can do, its hazard. The risk from one product depends on how much is in it and how you use it, and the label doesn’t say how much.
Not being on a list doesn’t make an ingredient safe. It may never have been assessed.
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Official lists checked September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.