Worth a closer look
Evidence key Strong Moderate Weak How we grade
Possible carcinogen Scent ingredient Chemical of concern Restricted in the EU
- What it can be used for
- Adds scent (the functions the EU ingredient database, CosIng, lists for it; a product may use it for any of them)
- CAS number
- 81-14-1
Why it’s flagged
Classified as a possible or suspected human carcinogen.
- EU classification Carc. 2. Source: EU CLP Regulation, Annex VI harmonized classification
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.
Used to add scent: its official function is perfuming or fragrance.
- Listed functions: fragrance, perfuming. Source: EU CosIng ingredient database
The EU ingredient database (CosIng) lists this ingredient's function as perfuming or fragrance, so it may be there to add scent, even on a label that never says “fragrance.”
Listed as a chemical of concern by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
- “Synthetic musks”. Source: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is an advocacy group. Its profiles explain why it considers these ingredients a concern.
Allowed in EU cosmetics only with limits.
- Annex III entry 97; products: All cosmetic products, with the exception of oral care products; max (a) 1.4% in fine fragrance; (b) 0.56% in eau de toilette; (c) 0.042% in other products. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III (restricted)
Annex III (restricted substances) or Annex V (preservatives) of the EU Cosmetics Regulation sets maximum amounts, allowed product types or required warnings.
What the research says
- After German industry stopped using musk xylene in 1993, its level in breast milk fell about 70% in four years, but the related musk ketone, which was not phased out, did not fall. Moderate evidence. Schmeiser 2001
- Musk ketone, a synthetic musk used mainly in cosmetics, was found in the body fat of every German tested in the 1990s and in breast milk at up to 240 µg per kg of milk fat. Moderate evidence. Schmeiser 2001
- An older nitro musk (musk ketone), after European industry had moved away from nitro musks, was still in 85% of US mothers' milk in 2004. Moderate evidence. Reiner 2007
- Musk ketone does not damage DNA by itself, but in rat liver enzymes and human liver cells it made known carcinogens like benzo[a]pyrene more mutagenic. Weak evidence. Schmeiser 2001
Each finding shows its evidence grade. See every graded fact or how we grade.
Don’t want it on you or in your air? Look for “fragrance-free,” not “unscented.” An unscented product can still contain a masking fragrance. Why the words matter.
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.
“Fragrance” or “parfum” on a label can hide this ingredient and many others. In the US, the individual chemicals in a fragrance are rarely named on the label.
Check your products
Check a whole labelProducts that list itEWG Skin DeepShop fragrance-free
“Products that list it” opens Open Beauty Facts, a free database anyone can edit.
Flagged the same way
Official lists checked September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.