4-AMINO-M-CRESOL

EU conditions: (a) To be printed on the label: The mixing ratio. “ Hair colorants can cause severe allergic reactions. Read and follow instructions. This product is not intended for use on persons under the age of 16. Temporary ‘black henna’ tattoos may increase your risk of allergy. Do not colour your hair if: — you have a rash on your face or sensitive, irritated and damaged scalp, — you have ever experienced any reaction after colouring your hair, — you have experienced a reaction to a temporary ‘black henna’ tattoo in the past.”
(b) To be printed on the label: The mixing ratio. “For professional use only. This product can cause severe allergic reactions. Read and follow instructions. This product is not intended for use on persons under the age of 16. Temporary ‘black henna’ tattoos may increase the risk of allergy. Eyelashes shall not be coloured if the consumer: — has a rash on the face or sensitive, irritated and damaged scalp,— has experienced any reaction after colouring hair or eyelashes, — has experienced a reaction to a temporary ‘black henna’ tattoo in the past. Rinse eyes immediately if product comes into contact with them.”

📊 Comedogenicity

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

4-Amino-m-cresol is a chemical compound that functions as an oxidative hair colorant, meaning it must be combined with an oxidizing agent before application to hair (Int J Toxicol, 2004). Here’s what safety testing has shown: #1: When used alone, the ingredient showed moderate skin-sensitizing potential, but when combined with the developer (the oxidizer), it did not act as a sensitizer in animal tests (Int J Toxicol, 2004). #2: Animal skin exposure studies found no irritation at concentrations up to 10%, and repeated exposure caused no cumulative irritation; however, undiluted forms caused eye irritation in animals, though a 5% solution caused only minor irritation (Int J Toxicol, 2004).

#3: Subchronic toxicity testing in animals produced no adverse reactions (Int J Toxicol, 2004). #4: In genetic mutation tests, 4-amino-m-cresol was generally not mutagenic (Int J Toxicol, 2004). #5: The ingredient absorbs ultraviolet light at a wavelength of 300 nm, which is in the UVA/UVB region (Int J Toxicol, 2004). #6: When combined with an oxidative developer, skin penetration is extremely low, though the ingredient alone shows significant skin absorption (Int J Toxicol, 2004). The sources note that products containing this ingredient must include caution statements and patch test instructions so users can identify potential skin irritation before significant exposure occurs.

The available research supports its safety in oxidative hair dyes specifically, though some data gaps remain for other potential uses.

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

🧴 Products Containing 4-AMINO-M-CRESOL

• CONAXESS TRADE NORGE AS Brillance Hårfarge 872 Intense Red
• Issue Coloración en Crema
• Henkel, Schwarzkopf Perfect Mousse Acajou 586
• live hairdye
• Conaxess trade norway Natural & Easy 542 Opal Askblond

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Unknown authors (2004). Final report on the safety assessment of 6-Amino-m-Cresol, 6-Amino-o-Cresol, 4-Amino-m-Cresol, 5-Amino-4-Chloro-o-Cresol, 5-Amino-6-Chloro-o-Cresol, and 4-Chloro-2-Aminophenol. Int J Toxicol.
• Eggenreich K et al. (2004). Determination of 4-amino-m-cresol and 5-amino-o-cresol by high performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence derivatization using fluorescamine. J Biochem Biophys Methods.
• Eggenreich K et al. (2004). Determination of 4-amino-m-cresol and 5-amino-o-cresol and metabolites in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) by high-performance liquid chromatography with DAD and MS detection. J Biochem Biophys Methods.