Excellence 5.5 Mahogany Brown product image with 60/100 Zerotox safety score

Is Excellence 5.5 Mahogany Brown Safe? Ingredient Analysis

L'Oreal

This page reviews Excellence 5.5 Mahogany Brown by L'Oreal as a skincare. Its current score is 60/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.

If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Ammonium Hydroxide, Toluene 2 5 Diamine.

60 / 100

Moderate quality

Why score is 60

The product contains several synthetic ingredients like ammonium hydroxide and toluene-2,5-diamine, which raise safety concerns. However, it also includes beneficial components like glycerin and hydrolyzed oats.

Main concern

Contains ammonium hydroxide, a strong alkaline agent that can cause irritation and damage to hair if misused.

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 in hair, contributing to hydration.
  • Includes hydrolyzed oats, which can provide conditioning benefits and improve hair texture.

Concerns

  • Contains ammonium hydroxide, a strong alkaline agent that can cause irritation and damage to hair if misused.
  • Includes toluene-2,5-diamine, a synthetic dye that may pose health risks and is associated with allergic reactions.

Ingredients breakdown

The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this skincare and why it matters.

  • Is Water safe in this skincare?

    Good

    Water is used here as base. Water serves as a solvent in this formulation, helping to dissolve other ingredients and facilitate application.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: AQUA / WATER

    Read the full ingredient profile for Water

  • Is Cetearyl Alcohol safe in this skincare?

    Medium

    Cetearyl Alcohol is used here as emulsifier. Cetearyl alcohol acts as an emulsifier and thickener, providing a creamy texture but can be irritating for some individuals.

    Role in formula: emulsifier

    Original: CETEARYL ALCOHOL

    Read the full ingredient profile for Cetearyl Alcohol

  • Is Glycerin safe in this skincare?

    Good

    Glycerin is used here as humectant. Glycerin is a humectant that attracts moisture to the hair, enhancing hydration and softness.

    Role in formula: humectant

    Original: GLYCERIN

    Read the full ingredient profile for Glycerin

  • Is Hydrolyzed Oats safe in this skincare?

    Good

    Hydrolyzed Oats is used here as natural_extract. Hydrolyzed oats provide conditioning properties, improving hair texture and manageability.

    Role in formula: natural_extract

    Original: HYDROLYZED OATS

  • Is Ammonium Hydroxide safe in this skincare?

    Bad

    Ammonium Hydroxide is used here as alkaline_agent. Ammonium hydroxide is a strong alkaline agent used to open hair cuticles but can lead to damage and irritation.

    Role in formula: alkaline_agent

    Original: AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE

    Read the full ingredient profile for Ammonium Hydroxide

  • Is Toluene 2 5 Diamine safe in this skincare?

    Bad

    Toluene 2 5 Diamine is used here as colorant. Toluene-2,5-diamine is a synthetic dye that can cause allergic reactions and is associated with health risks.

    Role in formula: colorant

    Original: TOLUENE-2,5-DIAMINE

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: 4279875

More from this brand: L'Oreal 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.

Frequently asked questions

L'Oreal — Excellence 5.5 Mahogany Brown scores 60 / 100. Daily use depends on your skin type and tolerance, so review the flagged ingredients and patch-test if you are sensitive. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
L'Oreal — Excellence 5.5 Mahogany Brown has a Zerotox score of 60 / 100 among skincare products. See the full breakdown above.
Browse L'Oreal products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis and safety scores.
This product includes positive or neutral ingredients such as: water, glycerin, hydrolyzed oats. See the Ingredients section above.
The product contains several synthetic ingredients like ammonium hydroxide and toluene-2,5-diamine, which raise safety concerns. However, it also includes beneficial components like glycerin and hydrolyzed oats. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
L'Oreal — Excellence 5.5 Mahogany Brown has a Zerotox safety score of 60 / 100. Higher scores mean fewer concerning ingredients. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
This product is flagged for: Contains ammonium hydroxide, a strong alkaline agent that can cause irritation and damage to hair if misused.; Includes toluene-2,5-diamine, a synthetic dye that may pose health risks and is associated with allergic reactions.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above.
We do not detect parabens in this product's listed ingredients. Always check the label as formulations change.
This depends on the ingredient profile. People with sensitive skin or scalp, users avoiding fragrance, sulfates or animal-derived ingredients, and cautious shoppers should review the breakdown above before buying. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Based on our data we do not detect fragrance in this product's listed ingredients. Formulations can change; check the label.
L'Oreal — Excellence 5.5 Mahogany Brown is a skincare product. Zerotox gives it a safety score of 60 / 100 based on ingredients. Check the breakdown above and our skincare topic for alternatives. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Browse skincare products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis.