RESORCINOL is graded E** (Avoid) by Expert·ING, based on COSING regulatory data. It is restricted under Sephora Clean (Prohibited).
RESORCINOL
Safety grade: E**
Resorcinol is a chemical compound that helps hair dyes work effectively by opening up the hair shaft to allow color molecules to penetrate. It also helps neutralize unwanted color tones and can reduce the appearance of certain hair colors.
This ingredient is used in hair coloring products to enhance dye penetration, modify hair color results, and help mask or neutralize unwanted tones in the hair.
Graded using: COSING.
- EU COSING — Restricted
- Health Canada — Restricted
- Sephora Clean — Prohibited
Last verified: May 26, 2026
Safer alternatives to RESORCINOL
- 2-METHYLRESORCINOL — Grade C. Hair dye coupler that modifies color results like resorcinol does
- M-AMINOPHENOL — Grade C**. Oxidative hair dye intermediate enabling color development similarly
- P-AMINOPHENOL — Grade C**. Primary oxidative hair dye component with parallel coloring mechanism
- 1-NAPHTHOL — Grade C. Coupling agent in permanent hair color formulations for tone modification
Other EU Fragrance Allergen ingredients
- LIMONENE — Grade C
- LINALOOL — Grade C**
- BENZYL ALCOHOL — Grade C**
- CITRONELLOL — Grade C
- HEXYL CINNAMAL — Grade C
- GERANIOL — Grade C
Other Hair Dyeing ingredients
- THYMOL — Grade A
- 4-AMINO-2-HYDROXYTOLUENE — Grade C
- P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE — Grade D**
- 2-METHYL-5-HYDROXYETHYLAMINOPHENOL — Grade C
- ULTRAMARINES — Grade A