Since 1 March 2022, the fragrance ingredient Lilial – chemically known as Butylphenyl Methylpropional (BMP) or 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl)propionaldehyde – has been banned throughout the European Union as an ingredient in cosmetic products. Its INCI name is BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL and its CAS number is 80-54-6. The ban applies to shampoos, shower gels, creams, perfumes, deodorants, and all other cosmetic products placed on the EU market.
Despite the ban, Lilial-containing products continue to surface in retail – a problem affecting manufacturers, distributors, and consumers alike. This article explains the legal basis for the ban, the toxicological background, the practical consequences, and answers to frequently asked questions.
💡 At a glance: Lilial has been banned in EU cosmetics since 1 March 2022 (Regulation (EU) 2021/1902). The basis is its classification as a reproductive toxicant, Category 1B. Products placed on the market after this date that still contain Lilial are non-compliant.
What Is Lilial (Butylphenyl Methylpropional)?
Lilial is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that had been widely used for decades in the cosmetics, perfumery, and household products industry. It produces a fresh, floral, and lightly powdery scent and was frequently used in combination with other fragrance materials. Common trade names besides “Lilial” include “Majantol”, “Lilestralis”, and “p-tBP”. The substance was developed by Swiss chemical company Givaudan and was one of the most widely used fragrance ingredients worldwide.
Before the ban, Lilial was found in a large variety of everyday cosmetic products: hair shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, shower gels, deodorants, shaving creams, as well as perfumes and eau de toilette. The substance has the molecular formula C14H20O and belongs chemically to the group of aliphatic aldehydes.
Technical Data at a Glance
•INCI Name: BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL
•CAS Number: 80-54-6
•Chemical Name: 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl)propionaldehyde
•Molecular Formula: C₁₄H₂₀O
•Trade Names: Lilial (Givaudan), Majantol, p-tBP
•Scent Profile: Fresh, floral, lightly powdery, lily-of-the-valley
Legal Basis: Regulation (EU) 2021/1902
The ban is based on Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1902 of 29 October 2021, which entered into force on 1 March 2022. This regulation amends Annex II to the EU Cosmetics Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009), which lists substances prohibited in cosmetic products. Butylphenyl Methylpropional was added as entry No. 1666 in Annex II.
The legislative process followed the classification of Lilial as a reproductive toxicant, Category 1B (Repr. 1B), under the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. This classification means the substance is considered probably toxic to human reproduction, based on animal studies. The hazard statements H360FD and H361 describe the hazard: may impair fertility and may harm the unborn child.
Deadlines and Transitional Provisions
•1 March 2022: Ban on placing new Lilial-containing products on the market
•Products already on the market before 1 March 2022 could still be sold until existing stock was exhausted
•Since 1 March 2022: No manufacturer, importer, or distributor may place new batches of Lilial-containing cosmetics on the EU market
⚠️ Important note: There was no extended sell-off period for stock already in circulation, as is sometimes granted for other bans. The prohibition applies absolutely to all products placed on the market from the cut-off date onwards.
Toxicological Background: Why Was Lilial Banned?
The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Commission examined Butylphenyl Methylpropional in several opinions. The decisive document was SCCS Opinion SCCS/1591/17 (revised 2019), which confirmed the reproductive toxic properties of Lilial. Animal studies demonstrated impairment of fertility and foetal development. The SCCS concluded that the use of Lilial in cosmetic products cannot be considered safe for consumers.
The Repr. 1B classification corresponds to the highest hazard level for reproductive toxicants below confirmed human reproductive toxicity (Category 1A). It means that sufficient evidence from animal studies exists, though not yet confirmed by extensive human studies. Nevertheless, the protection standard for cosmetics is particularly high, as these products are used daily and in large quantities.
Classification as a CMR Substance
As a CMR substance (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction) of Category 1B, Lilial is fundamentally prohibited under Article 15 of the EU Cosmetics Regulation. An exception would only be possible if the SCCS had confirmed its safety – which it expressly did not. The ban was therefore both legally mandatory and scientifically justified.
Health Risk Assessment
•Reproductive toxicity: May impair fertility (H360F)
•Developmental toxicity: May harm the unborn child (H360D)
•Particularly at-risk groups: Pregnant women, women of childbearing age, couples trying to conceive
•Route of exposure: Dermal absorption (through the skin), inhalation in perfumes
•Allergy potential: Lilial is also known as a contact allergen (was already subject to declaration above >0.001% in leave-on products)
Which Products Were Affected?
Lilial was found in a wide range of cosmetic products across all price categories and brands. The ban affected mass-market products as well as premium and pharmacy products. Well-known recalls and reformulations following the ban included the anti-dandruff shampoo Stieprox (GSK), various Sagella intimate wash lotions, Tiroler Nussöl, and Kneipp products. Several products from Pharmacosmos, Olaplex and EurimPharm also had to be recalled.
Product Categories with Former Lilial Use
•Hair care: Shampoos, conditioners, rinses, hair masks
•Body care: Shower gels, body lotions, body butters, hand creams (e.g. Herbacin, Eubos)
•Facial care: Cleansing gels, toners, moisturisers
•Hygiene: Deodorants, intimate wash lotions, shaving creams, liquid soaps (e.g. Rituals)
•Perfumery: Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, body sprays
•Baby care: Some baby bath products and lotions
Violations and Market Enforcement: Lilial Still Found in Trade
Despite the ban in force since 2022, cosmetic products still containing Lilial continue to be regularly reported through the EU rapid alert system Safety Gate (formerly RAPEX). In the Safety Gate Report for 2024, cosmetics containing banned fragrance ingredients – including Lilial and the equally prohibited Lyral (Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde) – were among the most frequently reported categories in the area of consumer safety.
Austrian and German consumer protection authorities, as well as Stiftung Warentest and Öko-Test, have found Lilial-containing products in German and European retail in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Those affected were not only niche brands but also well-known manufacturers who had implemented reformulations too late or incompletely.
Legal Consequences for Manufacturers and Distributors
Placing Lilial-containing cosmetics on the market after 1 March 2022 constitutes a clear violation of the EU Cosmetics Regulation and can have significant legal consequences.
•Regulatory action: Product recalls, market surveillance measures, official orders
•Civil cease-and-desist letters: By competitors or consumer protection associations
•Fines: Under national law (in Germany under § 27 LFGB in conjunction with the Cosmetics Regulation)
•Liability risks: Product liability towards harmed consumers
•Safety Gate notification obligation: When placing products on the market after the ban date
How Consumers Can Identify Lilial in Products
Consumers can check for themselves whether a product contains Lilial by reading the INCI list (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) on the packaging. The INCI name “BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL” must be listed if the substance is present. Older products manufactured before 1 March 2022 may still contain Lilial – especially if stored at home for a long time. To be on the safe side, check the production date (PAO = Period After Opening) and the best-before date.
Tips for Checking Products
•Read the INCI list: Look for “BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL” – this designation is mandatory throughout the EU
•Check production batch: Products with a manufacturing date before March 2022 may still be compliant
•Use online databases: INCI Decoder, CosDNA, EWG Skin Deep allow searches by ingredient
•Check Safety Gate: Reported products can be researched at ec.europa.eu/safety-gate
•For complaints: Contact the competent regional authority (e.g. LAVES in Lower Saxony, LGL in Bavaria)
Alternatives to Lilial: What Are Manufacturers Using Now?
After the ban, manufacturers faced the challenge of replacing the characteristic Lilial scent without compromising quality or consumer experience. The perfumery and cosmetics industry has developed and deployed various alternatives. Reformulating fragrance blends is complex, however, as Lilial was often an integral component of a fragrance complex.
Possible Substitutes and Strategies
•Majantol (INCI: MAJANTOL): Structurally similar fragrance delivering fresh floral notes, not currently subject to an EU ban
•Lysmeral (Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, HICC/Lyral): Also banned since 2022 – not a valid substitute
•Natural fragrance alcohols: e.g. from lily-of-the-valley extract – limited availability and higher costs
•Newly developed synthetic compounds: Fragrance chemists are working on novel aldehyde compounds with similar profiles but improved safety data
•Full fragrance reformulation: Many manufacturers are using the ban as an opportunity to completely redevelop their fragrance compositions
Well-known brands such as Rituals, Herbacin, and Eubos have already reformulated their affected products and communicated this publicly. Öko-Test confirmed reformulations of these products without Lilial in March 2026.
Lilial Beyond Cosmetics: REACH Restrictions
The cosmetics ban is not the only regulatory instrument applied to Lilial. As a CMR substance of Category 1B, Butylphenyl Methylpropional is also restricted in other areas of use. Under the REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, CMR substances of Categories 1A and 1B cannot be used in consumer products without specific justification. Article 68 REACH provides for restriction procedures that may also be relevant for household products such as detergents, fabric softeners, and air fresheners.
Manufacturers of household and cleaning products as well as air fresheners should therefore also monitor the REACH regulations for CMR substances, even though different thresholds or exceptions may apply to these product categories.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I still use a product containing Lilial that I purchased before 2022?
A: Yes. The ban is directed at manufacturers and distributors (placing on the market), not at private end users. It is not legally prohibited for individuals to continue using products they have already purchased. However, as a precautionary health measure – especially for pregnant women – it is advisable to dispose of such products.
Q: I found a product containing Lilial that looks new. What should I do?
A: Do not purchase the product and report it to the relevant market surveillance authority. In Germany, these are the food monitoring and veterinary offices of the federal states. A report can also be submitted via the EU Safety Gate portal.
Q: Does the ban also apply to products from third countries purchased online?
A: Yes. All cosmetic products offered on the EU market – regardless of whether they were manufactured in the EU or elsewhere – must comply with the EU Cosmetics Regulation. Online marketplaces and importers are responsible for this.
Q: Is Lilial the same as Lyral?
A: No, but both were banned at the same time. Lyral (INCI: HYDROXYISOHEXYL 3-CYCLOHEXENE CARBOXALDEHYDE, CAS 31906-04-4) is a different fragrance ingredient that was also added to Annex II of the Cosmetics Regulation by Regulation (EU) 2021/1902 due to its sensitisation potential and reproductive toxic effects.
Q: How do I know if a product has been reformulated?
A: Check the INCI list on the current packaging. If “BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL” is no longer listed, the product has been reformulated or never contained the substance. Also look for manufacturer notices such as “New Formula” or changed packaging designs.
Conclusion
The EU ban on Lilial (Butylphenyl Methylpropional) since 1 March 2022 is an important consumer protection measure based on solid scientific grounds. The classification as a reproductive toxic substance of Category 1B left no alternative under the EU Cosmetics Regulation. The ban is absolute and covers all cosmetic products placed on the EU market.
For consumers: Reading the INCI list is worthwhile. For manufacturers and distributors: Having Lilial-containing products in stock after the cut-off date is a significant legal risk. The continued presence of prohibited products on the market demonstrates that market surveillance and consumer education remain important. The cosmetics industry has taken an important step towards greater consumer safety by reformulating affected products.
