Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Lilial · BMHCA
What it is
A synthetic fragrance ingredient with a floral, lily-of-the-valley scent (CAS 80-54-6), known commercially as Lilial.
In this product: Fragrance, a floral scent modifier hidden inside the “Fragrance” blend.
Dose & route, what actually matters
The EU did not ban this over a rinse-off trace. It classified Lilial as a reproductive toxicant across aggregate cosmetic exposure and concluded no concentration could be considered safe across multiple products used together. In a body spray it is both inhaled as aerosol and absorbed through skin.
EUROPEAN UNION
BANNED. Added to Annex II (prohibited substances) of the EU Cosmetics Regulation, in force 1 March 2022 (Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1902), following CMR Cat. 1B classification under CLP Regulation (EU) 2020/217.
UNITED STATES
No restriction. May legally appear in US cosmetics undeclared inside “Fragrance.” The FDA has restricted only ~9 cosmetic ingredients; the EU has restricted 1,600+.
The evidence
SCCS concluded that across multiple product types used at the same time, the proposed concentrations of Lilial cannot be considered safe.
regulatory · 2021 · source
Classified Repr. 1B (presumed human reproductive toxicant) and skin sensitizer; full EU cosmetic ban effective 1 March 2022.
regulatory · 2022 · source
California Prop 65: Not listed.
How to avoid it
It is rarely printed on a US label, it lives inside “Fragrance.” The only reliable defense is choosing fragrance-free products, or brands that fully disclose their fragrance components.
Where it hides
Editorial analysis of publicly available regulatory and peer-reviewed sources. Not medical advice. We name our evidence and link it, including when an ingredient is fine.