6-AMINO-M-CRESOL

📋 Quick facts

Description: 6-AMINO-M-CRESOL — HAIR DYEING.

All Functions: HAIR DYEING

Quick Facts:

• Category: other
• Regulatory Note: Prohibited in the EU

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• 6-Amino-m-Cresol is used as an ingredient in oxidative hair dyes (dyes that require mixing with a developer before use)
• When combined with an oxidizing developer, skin absorption is extremely low
• Animal studies showed it was generally not mutagenic (unlikely to cause genetic damage)
• Products containing this ingredient must include caution statements and patch test instructions
• The research notes that some safety data on this ingredient is limited

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

6-Amino-m-Cresol is a chemical compound used in oxidative hair colorants—products that work by mixing a dye precursor with an oxidizing agent before application (Int J Toxicol, 2004). When used in this combined formulation with developer, the ingredient shows extremely low skin absorption, meaning very little penetrates into the body through the skin. Once absorbed, it is rapidly excreted through urine. #1: Animal testing found 6-Amino-m-Cresol was generally not mutagenic in laboratory and animal studies (Int J Toxicol, 2004), meaning it did not cause detectable genetic damage under test conditions. #2: When the ingredient was tested alone in animal models, it showed moderate skin sensitizing potential, but when combined with the oxidative developer as it would be used in actual products, animal tests found it was not a sensitizer (Int J Toxicol, 2004).

The available animal toxicity data support its safety in oxidative hair dyes. However, the research panel noted that in the absence of certain systemic toxicity studies, available data are insufficient to confirm safety for semipermanent (non-oxidative) hair dye uses—a different product category that does not require mixing with developer (Int J Toxicol, 2004). Because irritation cannot be completely ruled out for all users, any product containing this ingredient is required to include patch test instructions so consumers can check for personal sensitivity before full application.

📄 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.

🧴 Products Containing 6-AMINO-M-CRESOL

• Issue Coloración en Crema