HAIR DYE INGREDIENTS & SAFETY: WHAT'S IN MADISON REED HAIR COLOR

Madison Reed hair color is formulated without harsh ingredients some of which are often found in conventional dye, and made with nourishing ingredients like keratin, argan oil, and ginseng root extract. All of our hair color formulas - permanent, demi, semi, and temporary - are formulated Smart 8-Free and crafted in Italy to strict European Union standards. What that means:

• Smart 8-Free formulas: Everything we make is formulated without harsh ingredients some of which are often found in conventional hair dye: ammonia, PPD, resorcinol, parabens, phthalates, gluten, SLS, and titanium dioxide.
• Ingredients that nourish your hair: All hair color formulas are enriched with keratin, argan oil, and ginseng root extract to strengthen, soften, and support the health of color-treated hair.
• Tested & certified: Our permanent hair color and ColorWonder demi-permanent hair color have been dermatologist-tested and clinically proven to be non-damaging to hair and scalp health,** and Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free.

Ammonia¹

Ammonia is an ingredient commonly used in hair color. It has a strong odor, and exposure to ammonia fumes can irritate skin, eyes, throat, and lungs, causing watery eyes, itchy scalps, coughing, or burning.

We never use ammonia in any of our formulas. Instead, we use ethanolamine, an ingredient that helps give predictable, permanent results without any unpleasant odor. Learn more about ammonia-free hair color.

PPD²

PPD is short for para-phenylenediamine, a hair dye traditionally used to cover gray hair. It is known to be an allergen and skin sensitizer. Contact with the skin can cause dermatitis in susceptible individuals. Although many manufacturers use PPD in their products, we have decided to use alternatives.

We never use PPD in our hair color or in any of our formulas. One key ingredient used to replace PPD is PTD, a Para Toluene Diamine (PTD) ingredient called Toluene 2,5-Diamine Sulfate (TDS). Color with PTD creates the same rich, dark shades our clients love. While PTD can also be a skin sensitizer, PTD is generally shown to have a lower likelihood of allergic reactions than one would expect from the use of PPD.

Our Color Reviving Gloss, Color Therapy™ Mask, and Root Touch Up do not contain PPD or PTD. Learn more about PPD in hair dye.

Resorcinol³

Although it’s used in most permanent hair colors due to its efficacy in coloring hair, we never use resorcinol in our formulas as it is classified as a hazardous chemical and can be toxic to the immune system. In fact, resorcinol has been formally classified as an irritant by the European Union, and has been prohibited in cosmetic products in several countries. Resorcinol is a skin sensitizer, and can be one of the ingredients that users are allergic to in hair dye.

We never use resorcinol in our ingredients. Instead, we use 2-methylresorcinol, which has a different molecular structure and which the E.U. Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety classified as a lower-grade skin sensitizer compared to resorcinol.

Parabens⁴

Widely used in beauty products as a cosmetic preservative to promote longer shelf life, there is concern that parabens may interfere with the endocrine system.

While current analysis concludes that they are safe at the levels presently used in other cosmetic products on the market, the long-term impact of parabens continues to be researched, so we do not use parabens in any of our formulas.

Phthalates⁵

Phthalates are often used as solvents and plasticizers in shampoo and styling products, and many are banned in the EU. Some studies have found that phthalates might have some effects on reproductive hormones.

We do not formulate products using ingredients that contain phthalates.

Gluten⁶

Gluten is sometimes found in wheat proteins used to preserve the structure of the hair. However, for those that are sensitive to gluten, we decided to err on the side of caution and have removed it from all of our formulas.

We never use ingredients that contain gluten. Instead of wheat proteins, we use keratin, a natural protein found in both hair and skin, to preserve and strengthen hair.

SLS (SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE)⁷

SLS is a surfactant, meaning it lowers the surface tension between ingredients and creates the lather often associated with shampoo and other hair products. However, SLS is also known to strip the protein from hair, depleting the hair and scalp of beneficial protective oils. Products containing harsh surfactants like SLS are also known to contribute to color fade. In severe instances, SLS can also irritate the scalp, causing redness, dryness and itching.

For this reason, we never use sodium lauryl sulfate in our products, opting instead to use sodium laureth sulfate, a gentler alternative. Sodium laureth sulfate is also used in our formulas to ensure a full, even application of color, and total removal of color from the scalp and hair while rinsing.

Titanium Dioxide⁸

Some evidence shows that in high concentrations pigment-grade (powdered) and ultrafine titanium dioxide dust may be linked to cancer, allergies, immunotoxicity and organ system toxicity, among other problems. We never use titanium dioxide in any of our formulas.

A cream conditioning formula

Our permanent hair color formula, Radiant Cream Color, is a unique cream-based formula rather than a gel. The hair dye delivery system shapes both how color performs and how it treats hair and scalp during processing. Our cream-based formula has clear benefits over gel hair color formulas commonly found in other hair color brands, including:

• Creates a more consistent, uniform color result
• Achieves superior gray coverage
• Provides conditioning benefits to hair
• Helps create a barrier on the scalp from the dyes in the formula
• Helps avoid overlap with prior applications, so hair is less likely to overprocess over time

How our ingredients compare to box dye

Madison Reed differs from most box dyes in the ingredients it usesand the final color result. Hair dye works by depositing color into the hair - but the ingredients used to do that vary widely. Most box dyes rely on ammonia, PPD, and resorcinol in their formulas. Madison Reed formulates all hair color formulas - permanent, demi, and semi - as part of its Smart 8-Free approach, delivering long-lasting, multi-dimensional color formulated without harsh ingredients for a better result. Here's a closer look at what's in box dye.

Alkalizing agent

opens the hair cuticle so color can deposit
Common in box dye: Ammonia. Ammonia is effective but has a strong odor, and exposure to its fumes can irritate the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs.
Madison Reed uses ethanolamine (ammonia-free, low odor) instead.

Dye base

builds rich, deep shades
Common in box dye: PPD (para-phenylenediamine). PPD is known to be an allergen and skin sensitizer. Contact with the skin can cause dermatitis in susceptible individuals.
Madison Reed uses PTD (Toluene-2,5-Diamine Sulfate) instead.

Color coupler

helps develop true, even tone
Common in box dye: Resorcinol. Resorcinol is classified as a higher-grade skin sensitizer by the European Union than our substitute.
Madison Reed uses 2-Methylresorcinol instead.

Ingredients are only part of the story. Madison Reed permanent and demi-permanent formula is also dermatologist-tested and clinically proven to be non-damaging to hair and scalp health,** Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free, and crafted in Italy to strict European Union standards - read on for more below.

Dermatologist-tested & clinically proven

All Madison Reed permanent and demi-permanent hair color formulas in Radiant Hair Color, ColorWonder, and Root Perfection, are dermatologist-tested and clinically proven to be non-damaging to hair and scalp health.**

We didn't stop at leaving out harsh ingredients. Our formulas were tested under the supervision of independent dermatologists to clinically confirm the safety and benefits of our Smart 8-Free formula on the hair and scalp, and in independent consumer studies across our core color products.

Crafted in Italy to EU standards

The EU restricts or bans far more cosmetic ingredients than the United States - and every Madison Reed formula is crafted in Italy to that stricter benchmark.

Formulating to EU standards shapes what we're able to put in - and what we commit to leaving out in all of our product formulations. It's a standard rooted in generations of Italian craftsmanship, and one reason our color earns its place in your routine.

Our color is developed and produced in a family-run lab in Italy, where formulators and colorists work side by side to perfect every shade before it reaches you. That closeness to the source means each batch is held to the same exacting standard - from the ingredients we select to the way the color performs on real hair. It's a level of care that's hard to replicate at drugstore scale, and it's built into every kit we make.

Read about our Italian craft & EU standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Madison Reed hair color safe?

Madison Reed permanent and demi-permanent hair color is dermatologist-tested and clinically proven to be non-damaging to hair and scalp health, according to an independent clinical study. It's Smart 8-Free which means it's formulated without ammonia, PPD, resorcinol, parabens, phthalates, gluten, SLS, and titanium dioxide - and crafted in Italy to strict EU standards. As with all hair color, we recommend a patch test 48 hours before you color.

What ingredients should you avoid in hair dye?

The most debated permanent hair dye ingredients are ammonia, PPD, and resorcinol. Whether to avoid any ingredient is a personal decision best made by reading the full label and patch testing before use. Madison Reed formulates without all eight ingredients on its Smart 8-Free list.

Does ammonia-free hair color cover gray?

Yes. Madison Reed's Radiant Hair Color is an ammonia-free permanent hair color and delivers 100% gray coverage, including on resistant grays with our Knockout shades. In place of ammonia we use ethanolamine, which gives predictable, permanent results without the harsh odor.

Is ammonia-free hair color permanent?

Yes. All Madison Reed hair color is ammonia-free, including permanent hair color found in Radiant Hair Color or Root Perfection. Radiant Hair Color is a permanent, ammonia-free cream color that lasts until your hair grows out, and Root Perfection is a permanent 10-minute root touch-up designed just for your most visible grays. In both, ethanolamine (used instead of Ammonia) opens the hair cuticle so color deposits for long-lasting, permanent results.

What does it mean when hair color is Leaping Bunny certified?

Leaping Bunny is the international gold standard for cruelty-free beauty. Certification confirms that no animal testing is used or commissioned at any stage of product development - by the company, its labs, or its ingredient suppliers. Everything Madison Reed makes is Leaping Bunny certified.

Is titanium dioxide bad in hair color?

Titanium dioxide is a pigment and opacifier used in many cosmetics. In hair color, it is most often found in temporary root touch-up products, such as powders, sprays, and mascaras, and in semi-permanent direct dyes, including conditioners and masks. Some evidence suggests that in high concentrations, inhaled pigment-grade and ultrafine titanium dioxide dust may be linked to health concerns. It's one of the eight ingredients Madison Reed formulates all product without.

Can hair dye cause an allergic reaction?

Yes. All permanent hair color contains ingredients that could potentially cause an allergic reaction. Always do a patch test 48 hours before coloring, and do not use permanent color if you've previously reacted to hair dye or have a sensitive, irritated, or damaged scalp.

Is it safe to color your hair while pregnant?

Evidence on hair color during pregnancy is limited. Because every pregnancy is different, if you have questions or concerns about coloring your hair while pregnant, we recommend consulting your physician. You can also share the ingredient list for your specific Madison Reed product with your physician, available on every product page, as ingredients vary by shade and product.

Is Madison Reed good for sensitive scalps and frequent touch-ups?

Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color is dermatologist-tested and clinically proven to be non-damaging to hair and scalp health, according to an independent clinical study. An independent consumer study, also showed that 99% of users agreed the application felt gentle on their scalp. Keep in mind that every scalp is different, and any permanent hair color can cause irritation, so always patch test first.

*According to an independent consumer study.

**According to a dermatologist‑assessed clinical study of 2 dyeing sessions under normal conditions of use where no participants had allergic or irritant contact dermatitis.

Please note that the above is not a complete list of all ingredients. You can find more ingredient information in the details section of each product page.

All permanent hair color contains ingredients which could potentially cause an allergic reaction. DO NOT use these products if you have already had a reaction to hair color product and/or you have a sensitive, irritated, or damaged scalp. Always consult your physician if you have questions or concerns. Read more about Radiant Hair Color Safety Precautions and Ingredients.