EU
Restricted
Annex III · entry 380
Rule
Restricted, limits by product type
Regulation
(EU) 2026/78
Applies from
1 May 2026, with no separate sell-off date
Highest limit
2% in hydroalcoholic fragrances
Lowest limit
0.001% in toothpaste and mouthwash
Is hexyl salicylate restricted in cosmetics? In the EU, yes. In Türkiye, no limit.
Hexyl salicylate is a fragrance ingredient. Since 1 May 2026 the EU limits it by product type, from 2% in hydroalcoholic fragrances down to 0.001% in toothpaste and mouthwash, and keeps it out of most products for children under 3. Türkiye’s annexes do not list it.
Türkiye
Not listed
Not in the annexes
Rule
No prohibition or limit in Ek II–VI
What applies
The general safety rule: the safety assessor decides the level.
A product made in Türkiye for the EU market has to meet the EU limits from 1 May 2026.
What it is. The EU annex entry.
INCI name | Hexyl Salicylate |
|---|---|
Chemical name | Hexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate |
CAS | 6259-76-3 |
EC | 228-408-6 |
EU entry | Annex III · 380 · (EU) 2026/78 |
Entry updated | 15/01/2026 |
Conditions · EU text
Hydroalcoholic-based fragrances (except hydroalcoholic-based fragrances intended for children below 3 years of age)
Max 2 %
Not to be used in preparations for children under 3 years of age, with the exception of (d) “Toothpaste” and (f).
All rinse-off products (except shower gel/bath products, hand wash, hair conditioner and shampoo intended for children below 3 years of age)
Max 0,5 %
Not to be used in preparations for children under 3 years of age, with the exception of (d) “Toothpaste” and (f).
All leave-on products (except hair conditioner, body lotion, face cream, hand cream, lipstick/lip balm and fragrance products intended for children below 3 years of age)
Max 0,3 %
Not to be used in preparations for children under 3 years of age, with the exception of (d) “Toothpaste” and (f).
Toothpaste
Max 0,001 %
Not to be used in preparations for children under 3 years of age, with the exception of (d) “Toothpaste” and (f).
Mouthwash
Max 0,001 %
Not to be used in preparations for children under 3 years of age, with the exception of (d) “Toothpaste” and (f).
Shower gel/bath products, hand wash, shampoo, hair conditioner, body, face and hand (skin) care products, lipstick/lip balm and fragrance products intended for children below 3 years of age
Max 0,1 %
Not to be used in preparations for children under 3 years of age, with the exception of (d) “Toothpaste” and (f).
The EU entry is from the Commission’s CosIng file of 13 Oct 2026; Türkiye’s from the current annex text on mevzuat.gov.tr, read 2 Nov 2026.
Why. The reason behind the rule.
Hexyl salicylate was classified as toxic for reproduction, category 2, under the CLP Regulation (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2564). A category 2 substance may stay in cosmetics if the SCCS finds it safe; the SCCS did so under specific conditions (opinion of 25 October 2024), and those conditions became the limits.
Questions about this ingredient.
What is the limit for hexyl salicylate?
It depends on the product: 2% in hydroalcoholic fragrances, 0.5% in rinse-off products, 0.3% in leave-on products, 0.1% in the listed products for children under 3, and 0.001% in toothpaste and mouthwash. Other products for children under 3 may not contain it.
Is hexyl salicylate restricted in Türkiye?
Türkiye’s annexes do not list it, so there is no annex limit there. A product for the EU has to meet the EU limits.