Fragrance & antibacterials
Triclosan
Restricted in European Union, United Kingdom, Canada and Japan; its status in Nigeria is not confirmed.
Why it matters
Concerns that it may disrupt hormones (endocrine disruption) and add to antimicrobial resistance.
What to look for on the label
Triclosan.
Country by country
Around the worldRestricted in European Union, United Kingdom, Canada and Japan; its status in Nigeria is not confirmed.
Why: Concerns that it may disrupt hormones (endocrine disruption) and add to antimicrobial resistance.
| Place | Status |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | not confirmed |
| European Union | restrictedMax 0.3% in listed products only. Banned in mouthwash; not in toothpaste for under-3s (Reg 2024/996). |
| United Kingdom | restrictedMax 0.3% in listed products (toothpaste, soaps, deodorants etc.); mouthwash 0.2%. |
| United States | no specific ruleNot on FDA prohibited/restricted cosmetic ingredients list. |
| Canada | restrictedHotlist: max 0.03% in mouthwash, 0.3% in other cosmetics. |
| Japan | restrictedMax 0.1% as a preservative. |
Sources: EU Reg 2024/996 (Publications Office) · legislation.gov.uk UK Annex V (revised) · FDA Prohibited & Restricted Ingredients · Health Canada triclosan information sheet · MHLW Standards for Cosmetics (English). Checked 2026-10-19; rules change, so check the regulator before relying on it.
Is it in your product?
Paste the ingredient list, scan the barcode or read it from a photo. The check flags triclosan 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.