Henna

INCI: HENNA (LAWSONIA INERMIS)

CAS Number
83-72-7 (lawsone / 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone); 84988-66-9 (plant extract)
Function
Hair dyeing, skin conditioning, bulking
Safety Rating
MODERATE

Regulatory Status

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ EU Status restricted
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ US Status restricted
US Notes Restricted under 21 CFR 73.2190: permitted only for hair dyeing; FDA does not approve henna for direct skin application (e.g., mehndi body art)

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
low
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Lawsone can cause hemolytic anemia in G6PD-deficient individuals and is a slight ocular irritant; EU/US regulatory asymmetry exists regarding body art use under FDA; adulteration with PPD is the primary real-world hazard.

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Concern Level: Moderate

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Henna safe in cosmetics?

Lawsone can cause hemolytic anemia in G6PD-deficient individuals and is a slight ocular irritant; EU/US regulatory asymmetry exists regarding body art use under FDA; adulteration with PPD is the primary real-world hazard. The EU classifies Henna as "restricted". Safety rating: MODERATE.

Is Henna allowed in the EU?

Henna EU regulatory status: restricted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Henna do in cosmetics?

Henna functions as: Hair dyeing, skin conditioning, bulking. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 83-72-7 (lawsone / 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone); 84988-66-9 (plant extract).

What is the Margin of Safety for Henna?

adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

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