A blue nitro dye used in hair colours, regulated in Annex III.
What it is
HC Blue No. 12 is the hydrochloride of 4-[N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino-2-nitrobenzene, a blue nitro dye that can colour hair directly. CosIng lists it as a hair-dyeing ingredient. In the EU it is covered by an entry in Annex III (substances subject to restrictions) for oxidative and non-oxidative hair dye products, with mandatory label warnings.
Where it is used
Found in permanent and semi-permanent hair colours.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
See the EU regulation section for the applicable limits, conditions and label warnings. Its position on the list does not show the final shade, which depends on the combination of dyes in the product.
Functions
- Hair dyeing
- Imparting color to hair. Hair dyeing preparations may be temporary, semi-permanent, permanent, depending on the length of time the colorant remains on the hair.
EU regulation
- Product type
- (a) Hair dye substance in oxidative hair dye products (b) Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products
- Maximum concentration
- (b) 1.5% (as hydrocloride)
- Conditions and warnings
- (a) To be printed on the label: The mixing ratio. “ Hair colourants 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.
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2013/344
Products with this ingredient (6)
- Bonacure Color Freeze Silver Treatment 500 ml · Schwarzkopf Professional
- BLONDME Bond Repair Purple Mask 200ml · Schwarzkopf Professional
- BLONDME Bond Repair Purple Conditioner 250 ml · Schwarzkopf Professional
- Schwarzkopf Brilliance Hair Gloss Black 150mL · Henkel
- Schwarzkopf Brilliance Hair Gloss Pearl 150mL · Henkel
- Blonde Blondering 10.1 · CONAXESS TRADE NORGE AS