Is methyl salicylate restricted in the UK?

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The answer

GB: RestrictedNI: Not checked yet

Yes, restricted. Methyl salicylate, the ingredient that gives wintergreen its smell, has been limited in Great Britain since 30 September 2025. The maximum amount depends on the type of product, from 0.002% in eye make-up to 2.5% in toothpaste.

Where you live matters

Great Britain

England, Wales, Scotland

Restricted since 30 September 2025

Methyl salicylate is on the list of restricted substances (Annex III, entry 324). The limits for each type of product are in the table below.

Northern Ireland

Follows EU cosmetics rules

Not checked yet

Northern 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	Maximum
Rinse-off skin and hair products (not hand wash)	0.02% for children aged 6 months to 1 year; 0.06% for older children and adults
Hand wash	0.02% for children aged 6 months to 1 year; 0.6% for older children and adults
Leave-on skin products and non-aerosol hair products (not face make-up, spray body lotion, spray deodorant or alcohol-based fragrance)	0.02% for children aged 6 months to 1 year; 0.06% for older children and adults
Lip products	0.02% for children aged 6 months to 1 year; 0.03% for older children and adults
Face make-up	0.05%
Eye make-up and make-up remover	0.002%
Toothpaste	2.5%
Mouthwash	0.1% for children aged 6 to 10; 0.4% for older children and adults
Mouth spray	0.65%
Alcohol-based fragrance	0.6%
Deodorant spray and aerosol	0.003%
Hair spray and aerosol	0.009%
Body lotion spray	0.04%

Where the law names an age group, the limit applies only to products for that group. Taken from the Schedule to SI 2025/413.

Key dates

Where	Rule starts	Old stock: placed on the market	Old stock: last date to be sold
Great Britain	30 September 2025	On or before 30 September 2025	End of 31 March 2026

The transition period has ended, so products that break the limits shouldn't be on sale in Great Britain.

What the law says

Where a cosmetic product containing the substance set out in the Schedule is placed on the market on or before 30th September 2025, it may continue to be made available on the market until the end of 31st March 2026.

SI 2025/413, regulation 3

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: 1 November 2026

Sources

isitbannedintheuk.co.uk/rules/methyl-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