2-METHYLRESORCINOL
Official label name (INCI name, EU glossary of cosmetic ingredient names), No 239
- Allowed with restrictions (Annex III)
2-METHYLRESORCINOL: Allowed with restrictions, with limits depending on the product type (Annex III, entry 243), 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 a maximum concentration, 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
| Product type | Maximum concentration | Other conditions | Warning to print |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) Hair dye substance in oxidative hair dye products | not set | After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 1,8 % | To be printed on the label: The mixing ratio. “Hair colourants 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) Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products | 1.8% | not set | not set |
| (c) Products intended for colouring eyelashes | not set | Professional use | As from 3 March 2018, to be printed on the label: The mixing ratio. “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. For professional use only. Rinse eyes immediately if product comes into contact with them” |
- Entry
- Annex III, No 243
- Substance
- 1,3-benzenediol, 2-methyl
- Glossary names
- 2-METHYLRESORCINOL
- CAS
- 608-25-3
- EC
- 210-155-8
Dates in the act (3)
- Entry into force on 3 March 2017
- Condition applicable from 3 September 2017
As from 3 September 2017: 0,5 % As from 3 March 2018: “ Hair colourants can cause severe allergic reactions
- Condition applicable from 3 March 2018
As from 3 March 2018, to be printed on the label: The mixing ratio
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
- 31503
- CAS (according to CosIng)
- 608-25-3
- EC (according to CosIng)
- 210-155-8
- Declared functions
- Hair dyeing
- Wikidata
- Q9549707
- PubChem
- 11843
- ECHA InfoCard
- 100.009.233
- InChIKey
- ZTMADXFOCUXMJE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
EU product alerts (Safety Gate)
1 alert on cosmetic products cite this name in their hazard description. An alert targets a specific product, not the ingredient itself; each alert states the reason (prohibited substance, limit exceeded, missing labelling, and so on).
- 25 April 2014: Eyelash and eyebrow dye, KALLOS, Slovakia (“Serious risk”) alert
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: 메칠레소르신 (2-METHYLRESORCINOL)
별표 1 (prohibited substances), entry 240, page 12.
Conditions, source text, in Korean
화학물질명: 2-메칠레조시놀 (CAS No. 608-25-3) | ※ 유의사항 2: 1) 표시는 [별표 2] 염모제 성분에서 정한 기준에 적합한 경우는 제외한다.
- Restricted: 2-메칠레조시놀 (2-METHYLRESORCINOL)
별표 2, 염모제 성분 (hair colorants), entry 34, page 20. Limit: 산화염모제에 0.5%.
Conditions, source text, in Korean
비고: 기타 제품에는 사용금지
Australia
- Subject to conditions (threshold, labelling or packaging): 2-METHYLRESORCINOL
Poisons Standard, Schedule 6 (cosmetic entries), page 269. Thresholds cited: 1.8% or less.
Conditions, source text
except: | (a) in non-oxidative hair dye preparations containing 1.8% or less of 2-methylresorcinol when the immediate container and primary pack are labelled with the following statements: | (i) KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN; and | (ii) WARNING – This product must not be used for dyeing eyelashes or eyebrows; to do so may be injurious to the eye; | written in letters not less than 1.5 mm in height; or | (b) in oxidative hair dye preparations containing 1.8% or less of 2-methylresorcinol after mixing under oxidative conditions when the immediate container and primary pack are labelled with the following statements: | (i) KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN; and | (ii) WARNING – This product must not be used for dyeing eyelashes or eyebrows; to do so may be injurious to the eye; | written in letter not less than 1.5 mm in height.
Recorded cosmetics that contain it
46 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.