Ingredient Index

Is PPD banned in Europe?

Restricted in EU

No: PPD (p-phenylenediamine) is restricted, not banned, in the EU. It's allowed in permanent hair dye at up to 2% after mixing but barred from direct skin use, and the US permits it in hair dye as well.

CAS: 106-50-3 Also seen as: p-Phenylenediamine, para-Phenylenediamine, 1,4-Diaminobenzene, PPDA

What the EU does

Restricted, not banned. PPD is the workhorse colorant in permanent hair dye, and the EU keeps it on a tight leash rather than off the market. Under Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, PPD is permitted in oxidative (permanent) hair dye products at a maximum of 2% calculated as the free base after mixing. It is not allowed in non-oxidative dyes or for direct application to the skin, which is the rule that makes so-called "black henna" temporary tattoos illegal.

The reason for the careful handling is allergy, not cancer headlines. PPD is a potent skin sensitizer: once someone is sensitized, exposure can trigger serious allergic reactions for life, which is why EU labels carry patch-test warnings and an explicit allergen declaration.

Citation Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III, entry 8 (max 2% in oxidative hair dye; no direct skin use)

What the US does

Also permitted in hair dye. The FDA allows PPD as a coal-tar hair-dye ingredient, a category that sits under a special statutory carve-out: coal-tar hair dyes are largely exempt from the usual color-additive approval process, provided the product carries the prescribed caution statement and patch-test instructions. So PPD is legal in US permanent hair dye, much as it is in the EU.

The sharper US/EU contrast is on the skin-tattoo side. As in the EU, using PPD for "black henna" temporary tattoos is not legal in the US, because PPD is not approved for direct skin application. The everyday takeaway: PPD in a box of permanent hair color is permitted in both regions; PPD painted onto skin is the part both regulators reject.

Citation FDA: coal-tar hair dye exemption (caution statement and patch test); PPD not approved for direct skin application

Products that commonly contain it

PPD is the standard colorant in permanent, dark hair dye. It appears in:

Permanent (oxidative) hair color, especially darker shades
Salon professional hair-color systems
Some beard and eyebrow tints (with their own EU restrictions)
Illegally, "black henna" temporary skin tattoos, where PPD causes most reactions

What to look for on a label

PPD travels under several names; scan the box for:

"p-Phenylenediamine" or "PPD" in the ingredient list
"para-Phenylenediamine" or "1,4-diaminobenzene"
A patch-test caution statement, which signals a sensitizing dye ingredient
If a street vendor offers "black henna" skin art, that dark color usually means PPD, which is not legal on skin

Or skip the squinting: paste the whole ingredient list into our checker and it flags everything in our database. Nothing you paste leaves your browser.

Frequently asked questions

Is PPD banned in Europe?

No. PPD is restricted, not banned. Under Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 it is permitted in oxidative hair dye at up to 2% after mixing, but it is barred from direct skin application.

Why is "black henna" dangerous?

Black henna gets its dark color from PPD applied directly to skin, which is illegal in both the EU and US. Direct skin exposure to PPD can cause severe allergic reactions and lifelong sensitization.

Is PPD legal in US hair dye?

Yes. The FDA permits PPD in coal-tar hair dyes under a statutory exemption, provided the product carries the required caution statement and patch-test instructions.

Can PPD cause allergic reactions?

Yes. PPD is a potent skin sensitizer. Once sensitized, a person can react to it for life, which is why both regions require patch-test warnings on permanent hair dye.

Related ingredients

Primary sources

Last reviewed June 15, 2026 · How we assign statuses