Is Aftershave Black Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Unilever
Unilever's Aftershave Black is reviewed here as a skincare. Zerotox gives it 60/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The ingredient review below focuses especially on Alcohol Denat, Parfum, Alpha Isomethyl Ionone.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes denatured alcohol and several synthetic fragrance components, which raise concerns about skin irritation and sensitivity. Ingredients like PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil and various fragrance allergens contribute to a moderate safety rating.
Main concern
Denatured alcohol can be drying and irritating for sensitive skin types.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Contains glycerin, a humectant that helps retain moisture on the skin.
- Includes Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, which provides UV protection.
- PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil acts as an emulsifier, aiding in product stability.
Concerns
- Denatured alcohol can be drying and irritating for sensitive skin types.
- Presence of multiple fragrance allergens like Limonene and Linalool raises sensitivity concerns.
- Benzyl Alcohol is a preservative that may cause irritation in some individuals.
Who should avoid this product?
This formula may not suit:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this skincare, not just listed as a raw label.
-
Is Alcohol Denat safe in this skincare?
Bad
Alcohol Denat is used here as base. Denatured alcohol is used as a solvent and antiseptic in this aftershave. However, it can be drying and irritating, especially for sensitive skin.
Role in formula: base
Original: Alcohol Denat.
-
Is Aqua safe in this skincare?
Good
Aqua is used here as base. Water serves as a solvent in this formulation, providing a base for other ingredients. It is essential for product texture and application.
Role in formula: base
Original: Aqua
-
Is Parfum safe in this skincare?
Bad
Parfum is used here as flavor. Fragrance is included for scent but can contain allergens and irritants, raising concerns for sensitive skin types.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Parfum
-
Is Glycerin safe in this skincare?
Good
Glycerin is used here as natural_extract. Glycerin is a humectant that helps to attract moisture to the skin, enhancing hydration and improving skin feel.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Glycerin
-
Is Peg 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil safe in this skincare?
Medium
Peg 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is used here as emulsifier. This ingredient acts as an emulsifier, helping to blend oil and water components. It is generally considered safe but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Read the full ingredient profile for Peg 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
-
Is Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is used here as uv_filter. This UV filter helps protect the skin from sun damage. While effective, it is a synthetic compound that may raise safety concerns.
Role in formula: uv_filter
Original: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
Read the full ingredient profile for Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
-
Is Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane safe in this skincare?
Medium
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane is used here as uv_filter. Another UV filter that provides protection against sun damage. It is effective but synthetic, which may raise concerns for some users.
Role in formula: uv_filter
Original: Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
Read the full ingredient profile for Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
-
Is Ethylhexyl Salicylate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Ethylhexyl Salicylate is used here as uv_filter. This ingredient is used for UV protection in cosmetics. It is effective but raises concerns due to its synthetic nature.
Role in formula: uv_filter
Original: Ethylhexyl Salicylate
-
Is Alpha Isomethyl Ionone safe in this skincare?
Bad
Alpha Isomethyl Ionone is used here as flavor. A synthetic fragrance component that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
-
Is Benzyl Alcohol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Benzyl Alcohol is used here as preservative. Benzyl alcohol is used as a preservative and solvent. It can be irritating for some skin types, which may affect overall safety.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: Benzyl Alcohol
-
Is Benzyl Benzoate safe in this skincare?
Bad
Benzyl Benzoate is used here as flavor. This ingredient is a fragrance component that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Benzyl Benzoate
-
Is Benzyl Salicylate safe in this skincare?
Bad
Benzyl Salicylate is used here as flavor. A fragrance ingredient that may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, contributing to safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Benzyl Salicylate
-
Is Butylphenyl Methylpropional safe in this skincare?
Bad
Butylphenyl Methylpropional is used here as flavor. This synthetic fragrance component can cause allergic reactions and is restricted in some formulations due to safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Read the full ingredient profile for Butylphenyl Methylpropional
-
Is Citral safe in this skincare?
Bad
Citral is used here as flavor. Citral is a fragrance component that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Citral
-
Is Citronellol safe in this skincare?
Bad
Citronellol is used here as flavor. A fragrance ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, contributing to safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Citronellol
-
Is Coumarin safe in this skincare?
Bad
Coumarin is used here as flavor. Coumarin is a fragrance component that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Coumarin
-
Is Geraniol safe in this skincare?
Bad
Geraniol is used here as flavor. Geraniol is a fragrance ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, contributing to safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Geraniol
-
Is Limonene safe in this skincare?
Bad
Limonene is used here as flavor. Limonene is a fragrance component that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Limonene
-
Is Linalool safe in this skincare?
Bad
Linalool is used here as flavor. Linalool is a fragrance ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, contributing to safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Linalool
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 4283516
More from this brand: Unilever products in Zerotox
Similar products: skincare in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.