Maddie James
Lilial, also known as butylphenyl methylpropional, is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly used in cosmetics, cleaning products, and other fragranced household goods. In 2021, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) added Lilial to its list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) due to its potential to be toxic to reproduction and cause skin sensitization and allergic reactions. Following this, the EU banned the use of Lilial in cosmetic products from March 1, 2022. The United States is also considering similar actions, with California and Maryland enacting laws banning harmful chemicals in personal care products. With growing concerns about the potential health risks associated with Lilial, there is a question of whether it should be banned in candles and other fragranced products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Lilial |
| Chemical Name | 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde |
| Other Names | Butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA or p-BMHCA) |
| Use | Synthetic fragrance ingredient |
| Products Containing Lilial | Soaps, lotions, shampoos, perfumes, cosmetics, cleaning products, household goods |
| Ban Status | Banned in the EU and UK; not banned in the US |
| Ban Reason | Potential to cause reproductive issues, skin sensitization, and allergic reactions |
| Ban Date | 1 March 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Lilial is a fragrance ingredient
Lilial, also known as butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA), is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly used in cosmetics such as soaps, lotions, shampoos, and perfumes. It is used to add floral notes to a fragrance mixture. Lilial is cheap to make, smells great, and blends easily with other fragrance ingredients.
In 2020, the European Commission classified lilial as a "reprotoxic" substance, indicating that it adversely affects fertility and fetal development. This classification ruled that the substance "cannot be considered safe." The ruling was based on animal studies that found it to be toxic for reproduction, causing severe sperm damage, testicular degeneration, and significant fertility problems.
Following this classification, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) added Lilial to its list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) in 2021. Subsequently, the EU banned the use of Lilial in cosmetic products from March 1, 2022. The ban only applies to personal care products, and Lilial is still used in household cleaners and detergents.
Several other countries have followed the EU's lead and implemented similar bans on Lilial. In the United States, while there is no federal ban, some states have taken steps to prohibit the sale and manufacture of cosmetics and personal care products containing Lilial. For example, California and Maryland have enacted laws banning certain toxic chemicals in personal care products, including Lilial.
Due to the ban on Lilial, safe alternatives are now being used in perfume production. Consumers who wish to limit their exposure to Lilial can utilize resources such as the EWG's Skin Deep database to identify products that may contain it.
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It is toxic to reproduction
Lilial, also known as butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA), is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly used in cosmetics such as soaps, lotions, and shampoos. It is also used as a fragrance ingredient in household cleaners and detergents. In 2021, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) added Lilial to its list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) due to its potential to be toxic to reproduction. Animal studies have shown that Lilial can cause severe sperm damage, testicular degeneration, and significant fertility problems. The fragrance industry's research, which was kept secret for decades, was finally reviewed by scientific panels and deemed sufficient evidence of harm to enact a ban in the European Union. The EU banned the use of Lilial in cosmetic products from March 1, 2022, after classifying it as a reprotoxic substance that adversely affects fertility and fetal development.
The potential harm caused by Lilial has also been recognized in other parts of the world. In the United States, the California Legislature is considering a bill, AB 496, which would prohibit the sale of cosmetics containing Lilial and 25 other toxic chemicals. Several manufacturers in the US have already started reformulating their fragrances to eliminate Lilial. However, the US cosmetics industry is notoriously underregulated, with Congress neglecting to increase the Food and Drug Administration's authority over cosmetics for over 80 years. This has limited the agency's ability to ensure the safety of personal care products.
To protect consumers from toxic chemicals like Lilial, some states in the US have taken matters into their own hands. In 2020, California enacted a law banning 24 of the most harmful chemicals in personal care products, and Maryland followed suit by barring the sale and manufacture of cosmetics and personal care products with certain ingredients, including toxic "forever chemicals" known as PFAS. Consumers who want to limit their exposure to Lilial can use resources like the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Skin Deep database, Guide to Healthy Cleaners, and Healthy Living app to find products that do not contain Lilial.
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) also limits the use of Lilial in cosmetics, although it does not completely prohibit it. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the EU Commission concluded in 2019 that the use of Lilial in both rinse-off and leave-on cosmetics "cannot be considered as safe". This conclusion was based on animal studies that demonstrated Lilial's toxicity for reproduction. As a result, Lilial was reclassified as a prohibited substance in the EU, leading to its ban in cosmetic products from 2022.
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It can cause allergic reactions
Lilial, also known as butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA or p-BMHCA), is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly used in cosmetics such as soaps, lotions, shampoos, perfumes, and other household products. It has been banned in the EU since March 1, 2022, after being classified as a "reprotoxic" substance that adversely affects fertility and fetal development. The ban was a result of studies that found it to be toxic for reproduction and a potential cause of allergic reactions.
The potential for Lilial to cause allergic reactions is a significant concern. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) added Lilial to its list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) in 2021 due to its ability to cause skin sensitization and allergic reactions. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the EU Commission concluded in 2019 that Lilial "cannot be considered as safe" and that it may act as an allergen, causing contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals.
Animal studies have shown that Lilial can cause severe sperm damage, testicular degeneration, and significant fertility problems. While there has been no specific human testing, the potential for harm is significant enough that the EU took a "better safe than sorry" approach and implemented the ban. This decision was also influenced by the fact that Lilial is not essential and there are safe alternatives available for use in perfume production.
The fragrance industry has been criticized for keeping their research on Lilial's potential harm a secret from the public and refusing to publish it in scientific journals. Despite these warnings, the industry did not investigate potential harm in humans, and this information only came to light after decades of secrecy.
It is important to note that the risk of allergic reactions from Lilial exposure through fragrances alone is considered low. However, Lilial is also found in other cosmetic and household products such as detergents, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, moisturisers, foundation, antiperspirants, and shaving cream. Consumers who want to limit their exposure to Lilial can use databases and apps to find products that may contain it and choose alternatives that do not include this ingredient.
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It is banned in the EU
Lilial, or butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA), is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly used in cosmetics such as soaps, lotions, and shampoos. It is also used as a fragrance ingredient in household cleaners and detergents. In 2021, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) added Lilial to its list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) due to its potential to be toxic to reproduction, cause skin sensitization, and trigger allergic reactions. Animal studies have shown that Lilial can cause severe sperm damage, testicular degeneration, and significant fertility problems. As a result, the EU banned the use of Lilial in cosmetic products from March 1, 2022.
The decision to ban Lilial in the EU was made by the European Commission, which classified Lilial as a "'reprotoxic' substance, meaning it adversely affects fertility and fetal development. The EU set the March 1, 2022, deadline for all cosmetics containing Lilial to be removed from store shelves. The ban only applies to personal care products and does not include other products such as household cleaners and detergents that may contain Lilial. However, it is important to note that the EU's decision to ban Lilial in cosmetic products was based on the precautionary principle, as there has been no specific human testing conducted on the potential effects of Lilial ingestion.
The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the EU Commission had previously concluded in 2015 and reaffirmed in May 2019 that the use of Lilial in both rinse-off and leave-on cosmetics "cannot be considered as safe". Despite this, the fragrance industry kept this information confidential and did not publish it in scientific journals. It was only after decades of secrecy that the industry's research was reviewed by scientific panels and deemed sufficient evidence of harm to enact a ban in the EU. Several other countries have followed the EU's lead and implemented similar Lilial bans.
While the EU has taken a proactive approach to protecting its citizens from the potential harms of Lilial, the situation in the United States is quite different. The cosmetic industry in the US is notoriously underregulated, with Congress neglecting to increase the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority over cosmetics for over 80 years. As a result, the FDA has banned or restricted only nine ingredients in cosmetics for safety reasons. However, some states in the US, such as California and Maryland, have taken matters into their own hands and enacted laws banning certain toxic chemicals in personal care products, including Lilial. Consumers concerned about their exposure to Lilial can use resources like the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Skin Deep database and Healthy Living app to find products that do not contain this ingredient.
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It is not banned in the US
Lilial, or butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA), is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly used in cosmetics, cleaning products, candles, and other fragranced household goods. In 2021, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) designated Lilial as a Substance of Very High Concern due to its potential to be toxic to reproduction, cause skin sensitization, and trigger allergic reactions. As a result, the EU prohibited its use in cosmetic products starting March 1, 2022.
Despite the growing concern over Lilial's potential health risks, it has not been banned in the United States as of yet. The U.S. cosmetics industry is notoriously underregulated, with Congress showing little interest in expanding the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority over cosmetics. This has limited the FDA's ability to ensure the safety of personal care products, and they have only banned or restricted nine ingredients in cosmetics for safety reasons.
However, there are some indications that change may be on the horizon. At the state level, California and Maryland have taken the initiative to pass laws prohibiting the sale and manufacture of cosmetics and personal care products containing certain harmful chemicals, including Lilial. Additionally, the California Legislature is considering a bill, AB 496, which would specifically prohibit the sale of cosmetics containing Lilial in the state.
While the U.S. has not implemented a nationwide ban on Lilial, some manufacturers have proactively reformulated their fragrances to eliminate its use. This suggests that while Lilial may not be legally prohibited in the country, there is a growing awareness of its potential health risks, and some companies are taking steps to remove it from their products.
In conclusion, while Lilial is not banned in the United States, the situation is dynamic and subject to change. With increasing public concern, advocacy from nonprofit organizations, and legislative action at the state level, it is possible that the U.S. may eventually follow the lead of the EU and other countries in prohibiting the use of Lilial in consumer products.
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Frequently asked questions
Lilial is banned in the EU from use in cosmetic products and personal care products. It is not clear if this ban extends to candles. However, it is still widely used in the United States, where some states are beginning to ban its use.
Lilial was banned due to its potential to be toxic to reproduction, cause skin sensitization and allergic reactions.
Lilial, also known as butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA), is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly used in cosmetics such as soaps, lotions, and shampoos.
Lilial is used as a fragrance ingredient in household cleaners and detergents, as well as in cosmetics such as shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, foundation, antiperspirants, shaving cream, perfumes, and candles.
