A shampoo sold on Amazon, eBay, OnBuy and TikTok has been pulled from sale in the UK after it was discovered to contain banned ingredients. The product was rejected at the border.
It presents a "serious chemical risk" as it contains butylphenyl methylpropional, also known as Lilial or BMHCA. All bottle sizes of the Onesto Labs Bare Anatomy Anti-Dandruff Shampoo are affected.
Product Details and Official Warning
The item is described as an anti-dandruff shampoo that comes in a green plastic bottle, made in India. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued an alert about the product.
It said: "The product presents a serious chemical risk as it contains butylphenyl methylpropional, also known as lilial or BMHCA. Butylphenyl methylpropional is not permitted in cosmetic products as it may harm the reproductive system and may cause skin sensitisation.
"In addition, three allergenic fragrance substances: Citronellol (187 mg/kg), Linalool (195 mg/kg), and Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone (188 mg/kg)—were present above the 100 mg/kg labelling threshold for rinse-off products but were not declared on the ingredients list as required.
"The product does not meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 (‘The Cosmetics Regulation’)." As a result, the shampoo has been rejected at the UK border.
The Banned Chemical and Consumer Advice
Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial) is a synthetic floral fragrance that has been used in cosmetics, perfumes and household cleaners. But it is now banned across the European Union and the UK as it is classed as toxic to reproduction and harmful to fertility.
It has been illegal to sell any product containing the chemical in Great Britain since December 2022. The OPSS has urged anyone with a product containing Lilial to dispose of it.
If the product was purchased after 2022, report it to Citizens Advice in England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland or your local district council in Northern Ireland.
Other Recent Border Rejection
This week, another popular cosmetic product was also rejected at the border. Bubble Cosmetics Sunscreen Pack was given a "high risk" rating by the OPSS.
It said: "The product presents a risk due to inadequate labelling and traceability information. Multiple mandatory cosmetic labelling requirements have not been met, including omissions relating to sunscreen use instructions and product traceability.
"As a result, consumers may not have sufficient information to use the product appropriately, and effective regulatory traceability is impaired."
The OPSS added: "The product does not meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 (‘the Cosmetics Regulation’)." As a result, the products have been rejected for entry into the UK and therefore cannot be sold to customers.
The sun cream came from the United States. Bubble is sold in a range of UK retailers, including Boots and Asos. The affected items are a range of Bubble sun cream products packaged in yellow cardboard boxes.
