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Home/Ingredient Guide/Toluene
Ingredient guide

Toluene.

Also known as: methylbenzene, toluol, phenylmethane, antisal 1a

A volatile organic solvent derived from petroleum, widely used in nail polishes, nail treatments, and hair dyes.

Regulations

Global status.

How toluene is regulated in cosmetics around the world.

Restricted in 9Allowed in 1No data for 1

90% of countries with data ban or restrict this ingredient

🇺🇸USA
Allowed
🇪🇺EU
Restricted
Details

Permitted only in nail products at max 25% (Annex III).

🇬🇧UK
Restricted
Details

Only in nail products at max 25%.

🇨🇦Canada
Restricted
Details

Only in nail products at limited concentrations.

🇯🇵Japan
Restricted
Details

Permitted in nail products with limits.

🇰🇷S. Korea
Restricted
Details

Restricted to nail products.

🇦🇺Australia
Restricted
Details

Permitted in nail products at limited concentrations.

🇨🇳China
Restricted
Details

Restricted to nail products per Safety Technical Standards.

🇧🇷Brazil
Restricted
Details

Only in nail products per ANVISA.

🇮🇳India
No Data
🌏ASEAN
Restricted
Details

Restricted to nail products at max 25%, aligned with EU.

Why it’s used

The reason brands include it.

Dissolves other ingredients and creates a smooth, even finish when nail polish is applied. Helps products dry quickly and evenly.

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products in our database

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brands use it

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product categories

Categories

Toluene in product types.

Click a category to see every product containing toluene.

Alternatives

Common alternatives.

ethyl acetate
butyl acetate
water-based nail polish formulations

What Numbrrrz uses

Numbrrrz does not use toluene. Every tube is organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil and vitamin E, plus organic essential oils or flavoring in the scented versions.

Questions

Quick answers.

What is Toluene?
A volatile organic solvent derived from petroleum, widely used in nail polishes, nail treatments, and hair dyes.
Why is Toluene used in cosmetics?
Dissolves other ingredients and creates a smooth, even finish when nail polish is applied. Helps products dry quickly and evenly.
How is Toluene regulated?
Not specifically banned in cosmetics. Listed as a hazardous air pollutant by the EPA. Restricted by many clean beauty standards. It is not permitted in cosmetics sold in the EU. Canada restricts its use in cosmetics.
Does Numbrrrz contain Toluene?
No. Numbrrrz is made from four base ingredients: organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil and vitamin E, plus organic essential oils or flavoring in the scented versions. That is a formulation choice, not a judgment about other products.
Four base ingredients

Prefer a short label?

Organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil and vitamin E, in a 0.5 oz (14 g) USDA Organic tube.