A yellow nitro dye used in hair colours, regulated in Annex III.
What it is
HC Yellow No. 2 is 2-[(2-nitrophenyl)amino]ethanol, a yellow 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 a mandatory label warning.
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) 1,0%
- Conditions and warnings
- To be printed on the label: Hair colorants can cause allergic reactions.
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EU) 2013/658