The Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued an alert for Onesto Labs Bare Anatomy Anti-Dandruff Shampoo after laboratory testing found a prohibited cosmetic ingredient and undeclared fragrance allergens. The product, sold through Amazon, eBay, OnBuy and TikTok, has been classified as posing a serious chemical risk. The warning applies to all bottle sizes.
Tests detected butylphenyl methylpropional, also known as BMHCA or lilial, a substance not permitted in cosmetics because it may harm the reproductive system and can cause skin sensitisation. Officials also found citronellol, linalool and alpha-isomethyl ionone at levels requiring declaration on the ingredients list, but said they were not listed.
How to check your shampoo bottle
The import was rejected at the UK border, but Dr Emrah Cinik, hair doctor at Dr Cinik Hair Clinic, says anyone who already has the shampoo at home should check it before using it again. He said: "If you have Bare Anatomy Anti-Dandruff Shampoo in the bathroom, match the exact product against the official safety notice before your next wash. The alert covers all bottle sizes, so the size of yours does not rule it out."
The prohibited ingredient may appear under more than one name. Dr Cinik said: "Turn the bottle around and look for butylphenyl methylpropional, BMHCA or lilial. They are names used for the same substance, so check all three rather than stopping because you cannot see 'lilial' immediately. But do not treat a clean-looking ingredients list as the final answer. Officials also found fragrance allergens that had not been declared, so your first check should still be whether the exact product matches the government safety notice."
The affected shampoo is described in the official report as being sold in a green plastic bottle and manufactured in India.
What to do if you have the affected product
Shoppers who are unsure whether their bottle is the affected product can go back to the marketplace where they bought it. The original Amazon, eBay, TikTok Shop or OnBuy order can be used to compare the product name, seller, order date and listing image with the details in the government notice.
Consumers may also want to save a screenshot of the original listing before contacting the seller, particularly if the page is later changed or removed. Anyone checking a bottle should keep it in its original packaging rather than pouring it into another container, as the label may contain information needed to identify the product.
Do not test it on your scalp
Dr Cinik says one mistake people should avoid is applying a small amount simply to see whether they react. He said: "If a product has already been flagged as a serious chemical risk, your scalp should not become the test. Someone may think that because they used the shampoo last week without itching or redness, it must be fine. That is not a reliable safety check. Skin sensitisation does not affect everybody in exactly the same way or necessarily appear after the first use."
Anyone who has recently used the product should pay attention to changes including burning, persistent itching, redness, swelling or a rash around the scalp, hairline, ears or neck. Dr Cinik said: "If you develop a significant reaction, rinse the product away thoroughly and stop using it. I would also take a clear photograph of the affected area before applying anything else. If the reaction is severe, spreading or not settling, seek medical advice rather than trying to cover it with another scalp treatment."
Dr Cinik says people who develop irritation should also resist trying to fix it with a scrub, oil, anti-dandruff treatment or another medicated product. He said: "If the scalp is already burning or inflamed, adding several new products can make it harder to identify what is driving the reaction and may aggravate the skin further. Strip the routine back. Stop the suspected product, rinse away any remaining residue and avoid scratching or exfoliating the affected area. If you then develop crusting, marked swelling, significant pain or areas of hair loss alongside the irritation, that is no longer something I would manage by switching shampoo."
He said: "The quickest check is the most useful one here. Match the exact bottle to the safety notice, look for the ingredient names and, if it is the affected product, do not use your scalp to find out whether the warning applies to you."
