2-METHYL-5-HYDROXYETHYLAMINOPHENOL (5-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylphenol)
Official label name (INCI name, EU glossary of cosmetic ingredient names), No 235
- Allowed with restrictions (Annex III)
2-METHYL-5-HYDROXYETHYLAMINOPHENOL (5-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylphenol): Allowed with restrictions (Annex III, entry 229), under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Annexes of the Regulation consulted on 21 October 2026.
Who it concerns
What official classifications and rules say for each group. A classification describes the hazard of the pure substance, not the risk of a product that contains it, which depends on the dose and the exposure.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
No official classification covers reproduction, the unborn child's development or breastfeeding for this substance.
Babies and children
The Cosmetics Regulation sets no age-related condition for this ingredient.
Skin, eyes and allergies
No official classification for sensitisation, irritation or eye damage, and no obligation to label it as an allergen.
Environment
No official classification as hazardous to the aquatic environment and no assessment as an endocrine disruptor for the environment.
In plain words
What it is used for
Functions declared by manufacturers:
Hair dyeing: colours hair.
What the rules say
Allowed, with restrictions: Annex III sets the product types allowed and a warning to be printed on the packaging. Ingredient lists do not give quantities, so the concentration cannot be checked on the label; the warning can.
The text of the annexes
Allowed with restrictions
This entry covers the same substance as 2-METHYL-5-HYDROXYETHYLAMINOPHENOL (same CAS number in the CosIng inventory): its conditions apply.
| Product type | Warning to print |
|---|---|
| (a) Hair dye substance in oxidatie hair dye products. | To be printed on the label: The mixing ratio. “ Hair colorants can cause severe allergic reactions. Read and follow instructions. This product is not intended for use on persons under the age of 16. Temporary ‘black henna’ tattoos may increase your risk of allergy. Do not colour your hair if: — you have a rash on your face or sensitive, irritated and damaged scalp, — you have ever experienced any reaction after colouring your hair, — you have experienced a reaction to a temporary ‘black henna’ tattoo in the past.” |
| (b) Products intended for colouring eyelashes | To be printed on the label: The mixing ratio. “For professional use only. This product can cause severe allergic reactions. Read and follow instructions. This product is not intended for use on persons under the age of 16. Temporary ‘black henna’ tattoos may increase the risk of allergy. Eyelashes shall not be coloured if the consumer: — has a rash on the face or sensitive, irritated and damaged scalp, — has experienced any reaction after colouring hair or eyelashes, — has experienced a reaction to a temporary ‘black henna’ tattoo in the past. Rinse eyes immediately if product comes into contact with them.” ’ |
- Other conditions
- For (a) and (b): After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair or eyelashes must not exceed 1,5% - Do not use with nitrosating agents - Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 microgram/Kg - Keep in nitrite-free containers
- Entry
- Annex III, No 229
- Substance
- 5-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-o-cresol
- Glossary names
- 2-METHYL-5-HYDROXYETHYL AMINOPHENOL
- CAS
- 55302-96-0
- EC
- 259-583-7
Dates in the act (5)
- Application from 11 July 2013
It shall apply from 11 July 2013.
- Entry into force on 11 July 2013
- Entry into force on 27 November 2013
- Application from 1 July 2014
However, the following provisions in the Annex shall apply from 1 July 2014: (a) the provisions in column ‘i’ of point 1 and of points 3 to 9 relating to the use of the substances in products intended for colouring eyelashes; (b) points 2 and 10.
- Entry into force on 1 July 2014
Excerpts from the English text published in the Official Journal. A date may concern only some substances of the act: the excerpt says so.
Identity
- CosIng identifier
- 31502
- CAS (according to CosIng)
- 55302-96-0
- EC (according to CosIng)
- 259-583-7
- Declared functions
- Hair dyeing
- Wikidata
- Q27289803
- PubChem
- 134396
- ECHA InfoCard
- 100.054.148
- InChIKey
- YGRFRBUGAPOJDU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Elsewhere in the world
Information on other jurisdictions, with no effect on sale in France. What is covered, and what is not yet.
United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Allowed with restrictions (Annex III)
Same entries as in the European Union. Conditions (concentrations, warnings) may differ: they are not compared here.
Switzerland
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 applies in Switzerland (Article 54 of the Ordinance on Foodstuffs and Utility Articles).
United States, federal rules
None of the integrated sections of the federal code (21 CFR 700.11 to 700.27 and 250.250) targets this name. The FDA does not publish a list of allowed ingredients.
South Korea
- Prohibited: 5-[(2-하이드록시에칠)아미노]-o-크레졸 및 그 염류(예 : 2-메칠-5-하이드록시에칠아미노페놀)
별표 1 (prohibited substances), entry 1031, page 52.
Conditions, source text, in Korean
화학물질명: 5-[(2-하이드록시에칠)아미노]-o-크레졸 (CAS No. 55302-96-0) | ※ 유의사항 2: 1) 표시는 [별표 2] 염모제 성분에서 정한 기준에 적합한 경우는 제외한다.
- Restricted: 2-메칠-5-히드록시에칠아미노페놀 (2-METHYL-5-HYDROXYETHYLAMINOPHENOL)
별표 2, 염모제 성분 (hair colorants), entry 2, page 18. Limit: 산화염모제에 0.5%.
Conditions, source text, in Korean
비고: 기타 제품에는 사용금지
Recorded cosmetics that contain it
18 recorded products list it, according to Open Beauty Facts contributors. Records are dated: the formula may have changed. See the list (in French).
Glossary: Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175. Page updated on 21 October 2026.