Henna – Safety Alert

NADRA MEHNDI CONE – use before December 2025

Edinburgh Trading Standards recently received a complaint from a consumer who had a severe reaction causing damage to her hands after using henna as a temporary tattoo.

The use of black henna has been known to cause scarring and allergic reactions, however this product was brown henna.

The henna cone was tested and found to contain 4.2% phenol, an ingredient which is not permitted for use in cosmetic products.

Phenol is banned as it can cause a risk of cancer, permanent damage to DNA, and cause scarring and burning to the skin.

Henna cones must be labelled with all ingredients and have the name and address of the person responsible for the product which must be a business within the EU or UK.

If you purchase henna cones from outwith the EU for sale to customers, you will be considered the importer. This means your obligations are much greater. You are then the person responsible for ensuring the safety assessment has been completed, for making the Product Information File available on request, and for registering the product on the Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN). You must also label the product with your name and address.

Regulation 2009/1223 and the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013: Great Britain - GOV.UK

If you purchase henna cones from wholesalers within the UK, you will be considered the retailer. You should ensure the transport and storage does not affect the safety of the products, and check the labelling is correct before placing the product on sale to consumers.

https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/product-safety/cosmetic-products

If you have any concerns about the henna cones you are selling, these should be removed from sale.

Further guidance and advice can be obtained from your local authority trading standards service.