Since June 6, 2026, cyclic siloxanes have been limited to 0,1% in European cosmetics. Just one more ingredient on the list of banned molecules—except the reason isn't what you might think. And that's the whole problem with these blacklists: they mix real restrictions, environmental concerns, and false culprits.
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What cosmetic regulations actually say
In Europe, each ingredient is evaluated by the European scientific committee, which sets a maximum concentration already incorporating cumulative exposure: several products per day, over a lifetime, with a safety margin of at least 100. A compliant product is not "borderline": it is formulated well below the risk threshold.
- The thresholds take into account the number of products applied daily
- The concentrations of two separate products do not add up in a single dose
- An ingredient deemed problematic is restricted or banned, not left to the consumer's discretion.
I see blacklists circulating that classify lauryl sulfate and phenoxyethanol alongside known endocrine disruptors. This shortcut is detrimental to everyone: it instills fear without providing information, and it diverts attention from the real issue of formulation, starting with pH.
The molecules actually framed
Some substances have indeed been withdrawn, and it's worth knowing which ones. Lilial has been banned since March 2022 due to its potential genotoxicity. BHA is classified as a possible carcinogen by the IARC. Cyclotetrasiloxane has been banned in cosmetics since 2022, and all cyclic siloxanes are now limited to 0,1%—due to their persistence in aquatic environments, not because of any proven human risk.
The false culprits on the blacklists
Several ingredients are systematically listed without being justified by the data.
- Sulfates are not toxic: they can irritate a sensitive scalp, that's all.
- Silicones do not damage the fiber; they even protect it from friction.
- Phenoxyethanol is considered safe at 1% by the European scientific committee, for all age groups.
- Short-chain parabens are among the best-tolerated preservatives.
- A "free from" label never tells you what has replaced the removed ingredient.
Verified review
"My hair has regained its vitality, and I can now space out my shampoos to 4 days! Before, I had to wash it every 2 days because of itching related to excess sebum. My scalp is visibly healthier, and the results are conclusive."
Rachel D., a customer for 8 months
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The real question isn't about crossing names off a list, but about choosing formulas suited to your scalp. A pH close to 5, a gentle cleansing system, and a limited number of products do more for its health than any ingredient hunt.
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To remember
- The regulatory thresholds already incorporate cumulative daily exposure
- Adding the percentages of several products makes no toxicological sense.
- Siloxanes were restricted for environmental reasons, not for health reasons.
- The pH of a formula carries more weight than any "free from" claim.
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