Great Britain
England, Wales, Scotland
Restricted from 15 August 2026Hexyl salicylate is on the list of restricted substances (Annex III, entry 325). The limits for each type of product are in the table below.
Ingredients question
isitbannedintheuk.co.uk · Answer card
Is hexyl salicylate banned in the UK?
The answer
GB: RestrictedNI: Not checked yet
Not banned, but restricted. Hexyl salicylate, a fragrance ingredient, is limited in Great Britain from 15 August 2026. The maximum amount depends on the type of product, with lower limits for products for children up to 3.
Where you live matters
Northern Ireland
Follows EU cosmetics rules
Not checked yetNorthern Ireland follows the EU cosmetics rules, so the position there can differ. We haven't checked it for this page yet.
Limits by product (Great Britain)
| Product | Children up to 3 | Over 3s and adults |
|---|---|---|
| Fragrance (spray and non-spray) | 0.1% | 2% |
| Rinse-off skin and hair products | 0.1% | 0.5% |
| Leave-on skin products (not fragrance, face make-up, lip products or deodorant) | 0.1% | 0.3% |
| Lip products | 0.1% | 0.3% |
| Deodorant (spray and non-spray) | Not allowed | 0.3% |
| Leave-on hair products (spray and non-spray) | Not allowed | 0.3% |
| Face make-up | Not allowed | 0.3% |
| Nail products | Not allowed | 0.5% |
| Toothpaste and mouthwash | 0.001% | 0.001% |
"Not allowed" means the law gives a limit only for over 3s and adults, so the ingredient can't be used in that kind of product for younger children.
Key dates
| Where | Rule starts | Old stock: placed on the market | Old stock: last date to be sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Britain | 15 August 2026 | Before 15 August 2026 | End of 14 February 2027 |
What the law says
a cosmetic product placed on the market before 15th August 2026 containing the substance inserted into Annex 3 to the Cosmetic Regulation by regulation 2(3) may continue to be made available on the market until the end of 14th February 2027.
What this doesn't tell you
This page is about legal status only. A product being allowed doesn't mean it's right for your skin, and a product being banned doesn't tell you how risky an old bottle at home is. If you're worried about a reaction, speak to a pharmacist or GP.
Last checked:
Sources
isitbannedintheuk.co.uk/rules/hexyl-salicylate/ · Last checked 1 November 2026
General information from official sources, checked on the date shown. Not legal or medical advice. © The Contract Studio UK Ltd
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