Restricted Ingredients List

Restricted Ingredients List

Ingredients listed in this document may be prohibited, restricted, conditionally permitted, or subject to enhanced review depending on product category, exposure route, concentration, and disclosure status.

  • Undisclosed ingredients are not permitted. Full ingredient transparency is expected for all products. 
  • Any ingredient listed as "fragrance," "parfum," or otherwise undisclosed is prohibited across all product categories. 
  • Baby products follow stricter criteria than adult-use products due to infants' immature metabolic, detoxification, and immune systems. 

This Restricted Ingredients List is hazard-based and applies across personal care, baby, household, and pet product categories. This list is subject to change as scientific research, ingredient safety data, and exposure science continue to evolve.

Ingredient Review & Compliance Approach

Product assessments are conducted through a review of ingredient information made available by the brand or manufacturer at the time of evaluation.

Products are evaluated in good faith against this Restricted Ingredients List based on disclosed formulations, intended use, and product category. Ingredient compositions may change over time, and continued alignment with this list depends on ongoing transparency from brand partners.

The presence of a restricted ingredient resulting from non-disclosure, reformulation, contamination, or inaccurate ingredient information provided by the brand may not be identified during review.

General Product Categories

Prohibited Ingredients

  1. Parabens (all types): endocrine disruption — High hazard
  2.  Phthalates (DEP, DBP, DEHP, BBP, DINP, DIDP): reproductive toxicity — High hazard
  3. Formaldehyde & formaldehyde releasers: carcinogenic — High hazard
  4.  PFAS (all classes): environmental persistence, cancer risk — High hazard
  5. Cyclic siloxanes (D4, D5, D6): endocrine disruption, environmental persistence — Medium hazard 
  6. Coal tar & derivatives: carcinogenic PAHs — High hazard
  7. Triclosan & triclocarban: endocrine disruption — High hazard
  8. Certain ethanolamines and amines (DEA, MEA): nitrosamine formation — Medium–High hazard
  9. Nitrosamines & nitrosamine precursors: potent carcinogens — High hazard
  10. Hydroquinone: carcinogenic concern — High hazard
  11. Resorcinol: thyroid disruption — Medium–High hazard
  12. Styrene: possible carcinogenicity (IARC Group 2A); restricted under EU REACH — High hazard
  13. Ethylene Oxide: classified as a Group 1 carcinogen (IARC); may be present as a contaminant in ethoxylated ingredients — High hazard
  14. Lilial (Butylphenyl Methylpropional): reproductive toxin; banned in EU cosmetics as of 2022 — High hazard
  15. Benzophenones (BP-1, BP-2, BP-3 / Oxybenzone, BP-4): well-documented endocrine disruptors; of particular concern in leave-on and SPF products; restricted or under review in EU — Medium–High hazard
  16. Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate): UV filter with endocrine disruption data; under EU scrutiny; restricted in several marine environments — Medium–High hazard
  17. Acetaldehyde: IARC Group 1 carcinogen; may be present as a contaminant or degradation product in certain formulations — High hazard
  18. Talc (asbestiform / cosmetic-grade contamination): talc contaminated with asbestiform fibers is a distinct and well-documented cancer concern, separate from inhalable particulate risk; prohibited in powder-format products and baby care — High hazard
  19. Propyl Gallate: antioxidant with endocrine disruption concern; used occasionally in personal care — Medium hazard

Allowed Only at Very Low Concentrations (with justification)

The following ingredients may be present only at concentrations at or below EU maximum permitted levels, with documented justification provided by the brand:

• BHA / BHT: endocrine disruption, possible carcinogenicity — Medium–High hazard
Note: BHA is banned as a food additive in the EU and is heavily scrutinized in cosmetics. Acceptance requires concentration at or below EU cosmetic limits and brand-provided justification.

• Synthetic musks: bioaccumulative endocrine disruptors — Medium–High hazard • Isothiazolinones (MI, MCI, BIT): skin sensitization — High hazard

Restricted Acrylates & Methacrylates

• Certain acrylates: skin sensitization — Medium–High hazard Includes, but is not limited to:

  • Methyl Acrylate (MA)
  • Ethyl Acrylate (EA)
  • 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate (EHA)
  • Trimethylolpropane Triacrylate (TMPTA)
  •  Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate (HEMA)
  • Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)
  • Ethyl Cyanoacrylate
  • Acrylic Acid 

Restricted in leave-on, aerosolized, or direct skin-contact products. Permitted only when fully polymerized and non-sensitizing in the final formulation.

  • Undisclosed engineered nanomaterials (<100 nm), or inhalable particulate forms of alumina, silicon dioxide, or talc not bound in a matrix: inhalation toxicity — Medium–High hazard
  • Heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium, chromium VI): neurotoxicity, carcinogenicity — High hazard Prohibited above unavoidable trace levels. 

The following UV filters carry endocrine disruption and/or safety concerns. Products containing SPF or UV protection claims are subject to heightened review under this section:

  • Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3): endocrine disruption; detected in human blood, urine, and breast milk; banned in several marine-protected jurisdictions — High hazard
  • Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate): endocrine disruption; thyroid hormone interference — Medium–High hazard
  • Homosalate: endocrine disruption; EU has restricted to max 0.5% in cosmetics — Medium hazard
  • Octisalate, Octocrylene: under review for endocrine activity and environmental persistence — Medium hazard (subject to ongoing review)

Baby Products — Additional Restrictions

Ingredients permitted in adult-use products may be restricted or prohibited in baby products due to immature metabolic and detoxification pathways.

  1. All parabens: High hazard
  2.  Phthalates: High hazard
  3.  Bisphenols (BPA, BPS, BPF): High hazard
  4. Formaldehyde & releasers: High hazard
  5. Triclosan: High hazard
  6.  1,4-Dioxane contamination: High hazard
  7. Methyl salicylate: Medium–High hazard
  8.  Certain essential oils (including but not limited to eucalyptus, peppermint, and wintergreen) Restricted or prohibited due to risks of respiratory irritation, salicylate exposure, and neurotoxicity in infants 
  9. Phenoxyethanol (restricted use): Medium hazard
  10.  Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC): Medium–High hazard
  11.  Undisclosed or inhalable nanomaterials (alumina, silicon dioxide, talc): inhalation toxicity — Medium–High hazard

Household Cleaning Products

  1. Alkylphenol ethoxylates: High hazard
  2. PFAS: High hazard
  3. Benzene & related aromatics: High hazard
  4. Chlorinated solvents (PERC, TCE, methylene chloride, chloroform): High hazard
  5. Quaternary ammonium compounds: Medium–High hazard
  6. Glycol ethers: Medium–High hazard
  7. Phenols: High hazard
  8. Ammonia: Medium–High hazard
  9. Sodium hypochlorite (restricted use): Medium–High hazard
  10. Terpenes in air fresheners: Medium hazard 11. Arsenic: High hazard

  11. Styrene-containing solvents or adhesive components: possible carcinogen (IARC 2A); prohibited in indoor-use cleaning or air-treatment products — High hazard

     

  12. Ethylene Oxide residues: relevant to cleaning products using ethoxylated surfactant bases; brands must confirm absence of EO residue above trace levels — High hazard 

     

  13. Acetaldehyde (as a breakdown product): may form in certain VOC-containing cleaning or air freshener products; prohibited as an intentional ingredient — High hazard

*Note: Certain conditioning quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine) are not banned due to low toxicity and no indication of carcinogenicity or endocrine disruption at permitted use levels. 

Pet Product Standards 

In addition to the restrictions set forth in General Product Categories, the following standards apply to all pet products evaluated for retail placement, including but not limited to grooming products, topical treatments, oral care products, paw balms, sprays, and environmental-use products intended for companion animals.

These standards recognize species-specific physiological and metabolic differences between humans and companion animals, including:

  •  Increased dermal absorption in certain species
  • Grooming behaviors resulting in secondary oral ingestion 
  • Lower body mass leading to higher mg/kg exposure
  • Reduced hepatic glucuronidation capacity in felines 

All ingredients prohibited elsewhere in this RIL remain prohibited in pet products unless explicitly stated otherwise below.

B. Prohibited Ingredients — All Pets

  1. Essential Oils & Botanical Compounds
  • Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) 
  • Pennyroyal Oil
  • Wintergreen Oil (Methyl Salicylate
  • Clove Oil (high-eugenol preparations) 
  • Camphor
  • Concentrated Citrus Oils, including high d-limonene extracts

2. Insecticides & Parasiticides (Retail Grooming Use) 

  • Permethrin
  • Pyrethrins
  • Pyrethroids (all classes) 
  • Organophosphates
  • Carbamates 

3. Ingestible Toxicants

  • Xylitol (in any product with potential oral exposure) 4. Other High-Risk Substances
  • Phenol-rich essential oil concentrates
  • Any ingredient with documented systemic toxicity in companion animals at topical exposure levels 

Additional Restrictions — Feline Products 

Due to documented metabolic limitations in cats, including reduced glucuronidation capacity, the following additional restrictions apply to products marketed for cats or multi-species households including cats:

  •  Essential oils are prohibited in products intended for use on cats.
  •  Multi-species products containing essential oils will not be approved if labeled for feline use.
  •  Eucalyptus oil (concentrated forms) is prohibited in feline products.
  • High-phenol essential oils (including oregano and thyme chemotypes high in thymol or carvacrol) are prohibited. 
  • High-concentration d-limonene extracts are prohibited.
  • Benzoyl peroxide is prohibited in leave-on feline products.
    Products containing essential oils must clearly disclose species limitations where applicable.

Veterinary-Directed Use Exception 

Certain ingredients prohibited for routine consumer retail use may have clinically supported therapeutic value when used under veterinary supervision or specific circumstances. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Permethrin or pyrethrins in regulated flea treatments
• Benzoyl peroxide in veterinary dermatologic formulations
• Other medicated actives intended for parasite eradication or acute treatment

These ingredients are prohibited in general grooming, daily-use, or cosmetic pet products offered through this platform. However, this prohibition does not constitute a determination that such ingredients lack medical utility. Products containing these substances may be considered for approval if:

• They are clearly positioned as veterinary-directed use;
• They are not marketed as routine or preventative cosmetic products; 

• Appropriate risk disclosures are present
• Use is episodic or condition-specific rather than continuous.

Final approval remains at our sole discretion. 

Essential Oil Review Policy — Pet Products 

Due to increased risk of ingestion and systemic exposure through grooming behaviors:

• Essential oil use in pet products will be evaluated conservatively.

• Essential oils are prohibited in feline products.

• Essential oils in dog-only rinse-off products may be subject to review and concentration limitations.

• Leave-on dog products containing essential oils are subject to heightened scrutiny.

Undisclosed fragrance mixtures may contain sensitizers, endocrine-active compounds, or contaminants that cannot be adequately evaluated without full constituent disclosure.  

Ongoing Scientific Review 

Pet product ingredient standards are subject to revision based on:

• Emerging veterinary toxicology research
• Updated regulatory guidance
• Peer-reviewed safety data
• Post-market adverse event findings
Ingredient approval status may be modified at any time to reflect evolving scientific understanding.

Compliance & Responsibility 

Ingredient review is conducted based on manufacturer-disclosed ingredient lists at the time of evaluation. Final responsibility for formulation accuracy, labeling compliance, regulatory adherence, and species-appropriate safety remains with the manufacturer.

Approval under this RIL does not constitute veterinary endorsement or medical advice, nor does it guarantee individual animal tolerance.

Responsibility & Limitation of Liability

Responsibility for ingredient accuracy, completeness, formulation changes, and regulatory compliance remains with the brand or manufacturer.

Inclusion of a product does not represent an endorsement of formulation practices beyond the information disclosed, nor does it represent confirmation that a product is free from all restricted substances under all circumstances.

This Restricted Ingredients List reflects internal screening standards and does not constitute certification, testing, or an assurance of ingredient absence beyond available disclosures.

Please visit the website below for Restricted Ingredient List References:

https://clusively.com › pages › reference-list