Ingredients at Curldrop

Here at Curldrop we only provide selected products that meet regulatory requirements in the European Union (EU) and the UK. All of the ingredients on products we stock have been checked and we will never sell products that do not meet EU requirements.

Many products geared towards curly hair are not manufactured in the EU or the UK. Some mainstream and niche hair products targeted at Black communities can even contain harmful ingredients. Several of these ingredients have been linked to serious health issues, including hormone disruption, cancers, and reproductive issues. Some are even banned in the EU and the UK.

Why Afro and curly hair products can be worrying

Hair products designed for Afro-textured hair often contain strong chemicals, especially in relaxers and treatments that change natural curl patterns. While these products can give the look you want, using them regularly may harm your health over time. Research shows that Black women are exposed to more hormone-disrupting chemicals through hair and beauty products than other groups. These chemicals have been connected to serious health issues like breast cancer, fibroids, and early puberty in girls. Unfortunately, there's still not enough research being done on this important topic.

Common Harmful Ingredients

The following products are some of the most common harmful ingredients found in curly haircare products:

1. Parabens (e.g., methylparaben, propylparaben) – Used as preservatives, parabens can mimic estrogen in the body and are linked to breast cancer and hormonal disruptions.
2. Phthalates (e.g., DEP, DBP) – Sometimes hidden under the term “fragrance,” phthalates can disrupt hormones and harm reproductive health.
3. Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-releasing Agents (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15) – These are used to preserve products but are known carcinogens and irritants.
4. Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) – Common in relaxers, it can cause scalp burns, hair loss, and long-term skin damage.
5. Fragrances – Often composed of dozens of undisclosed chemicals, some of which can cause allergic reactions and disrupt hormones. This does not necessarily mean that all fragrances are harmful, but if you know that fragrances are irritating for you we recommend that you avoid these in your beauty products.
6. Resorcinol – Usually found in hair dyes, this chemical is a known endocrine disruptor.

Banned or Restricted Ingredients in the EU and UK

Europe and the UK have much stricter rules about what can go into beauty products than the United States does. The EU and UK have banned or limited over 1,300 ingredients in cosmetics, while the U.S. has only restricted about 30. Some of the ingredients that can be found in Afro hair products and skincare include:

• Hydroquinone – Banned in cosmetic products due to its potential carcinogenic properties. In the UK, this is only available with a prescription from a doctor.
• Formaldehyde – Banned in its pure form and restricted in any compound that releases it.
• Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) – Suspected endocrine disruptor, restricted.
• Diethyl phthalate (DEP) – Not outright banned, but under heavy scrutiny and limited in cosmetic use.
• Lead acetate – Banned in hair dyes due to its toxicity.

Despite these bans, some products with these ingredients still make their way onto store shelves or online platforms, especially from U.S. or unregulated markets. 

More people are learning about how beauty products can affect our health, especially across skincare. If you have curly hair, choosing products without harmful chemicals can help keep both your hair and your body healthy.

At the bottom of this page there is a short list of ingredients that can still sometimes be available in curly hair shops. Feel free to take this list with you when you do your hair shopping!