Hair dyes, henna & straighteners
Glyoxylic acid
No specific restriction found in the places checked; not specifically regulated in Nigeria.
Why it matters
Cases of acute kidney failure have been reported after hair-smoothing treatments with glyoxylic acid.
What to look for on the label
Glyoxylic acid (keratin and "smoothing" treatments).
Full name: Glyoxylic acid (hair straighteners)
Country by country
Around the worldNo specific restriction found in the places checked; not specifically regulated in Nigeria.
Why: Cases of acute kidney failure have been reported after hair-smoothing treatments with glyoxylic acid.
| Place | Status |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | no specific ruleNot named in NAFDAC labelling, bleaching-agent or registration rules. |
| European Union | no specific ruleNo annex entry; CosIng lists it as a hair straightening ingredient. |
| United Kingdom | not confirmed |
| United States | no specific ruleNot on FDA's prohibited/restricted cosmetic ingredients list. |
| Canada | no specific ruleNot on Hotlist prohibited or restricted lists (2025-08-13 version). |
| France | no specific ruleNo legal ban; ANSES advises against glyoxylic acid smoothing products (Oct 2024). |
| Morocco | no specific ruleAMMPS health alert (31 Jan 2026) tells consumers and salons to avoid; not a formal ban. |
Sources: NAFDAC cosmetics registration guidelines · CosIng via CosIng Checker (secondary) · FDA Prohibited & Restricted Ingredients · Health Canada Hotlist via CosIng Checker (secondary) · Service-Public.fr (ANSES alert) · Morocco World News (secondary). Checked 2026-10-19; rules change, so check the regulator before relying on it.
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Paste the ingredient list, scan the barcode or read it from a photo. The check flags glyoxylic acid and anything else worth knowing.
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Education, not legal advice. Rules change: check with your country's regulator before relying on this.