Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Eau de Toilette
At a glance
Summary
Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Eau de Toilette scores 6/100 — the worst score in the men's fragrance category. A 1995 oriental-fougère designer fragrance from Puig. The formula stacks essentially every regulated red-flag ingredient in modern cosmetics: (1) Butylphenyl Methylpropional (Lilial) — BANNED in EU since March 2022 as a Category 1B reproductive toxin (CMR); (2) Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde (HICC / Lyral) — BANNED in EU since August 2021 as an extreme dermal sensitizer; both still legal and used in US-market bottles; (3) Benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone) — one of the most studied endocrine disruptors in cosmetics, banned in EU as a fragrance additive and banned in Hawaii/Pacific reef jurisdictions; (4) Cinnamal — EU 26 top-strength sensitizer; (5) twelve total IFRA / EU-declared dermal sensitizers including eugenol, anise alcohol, isoeugenol-class compounds; (6) BHT antioxidant; (7) undisclosed 'Parfum' trade-secret blend. Two EU-banned ingredients plus oxybenzone plus cinnamal in a single bottle is the single worst men's fragrance ingredient stack reviewed.
Key ingredients 18
Parfum (Fragrance)Very Bad
Trade-secret blanket term that legally conceals dozens to hundreds of individual aromachemicals. Designer fragrance blends almost always contain synthetic polycyclic musks (Galaxolide, Tonalide) — endocrine disruptors that bioaccumulate in human fat tissue, breast milk, and wastewater — alongside Ambroxan, Iso E Super, and historically DEP phthalate solvents. No disclosure obligation in the US.
See more about Parfum (Fragrance) →Butylphenyl Methylpropional (Lilial)Very Bad
BANNED in EU cosmetics since March 2022 as a CMR (Carcinogen / Mutagen / Reproductive toxin, Category 1B) under EU Regulation 2021/1902. Animal studies showed reproductive toxicity. Still legal and used in US-market designer fragrances. Single most concerning ingredient in any modern leave-on cosmetic.
See more about Butylphenyl Methylpropional (Lilial) →Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde (HICC / Lyral)Very Bad
BANNED in EU cosmetics since August 2021 as an extreme dermal sensitizer (EU Reg. 2017/1410). Tested at ~2% positive rate in fragrance-allergy patch panels. Still appears in US-market reformulations of legacy designer fragrances because the US has no equivalent ban. Worst-class contact allergen.
See more about Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde (HICC / Lyral) →Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone)Very Bad
Chemical UV filter and one of the most studied endocrine disruptors in cosmetics. Mimics estrogen, blocks androgen receptors, detected in 96%+ of US urine samples. Banned in Hawaii, Key West, Aruba, and Palau for reef toxicity. Banned in EU as a fragrance additive (allowed only at sunscreen-active concentrations). No legitimate use in a leave-on fragrance spray.
See more about Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) →CinnamalVery Bad
EU 26 fragrance allergen — one of the strongest dermal sensitizers in the IFRA standards. IFRA imposes strict use-level caps in leave-on products precisely because cinnamaldehyde causes high rates of contact dermatitis.
See more about Cinnamal →CoumarinBad
IFRA / EU-declared fragrance allergen. Category 2 skin sensitizer; the EU SCCS has flagged it for cumulative exposure risk across multiple fragranced products.
See more about Coumarin →LinaloolBad
IFRA / EU-declared fragrance allergen. Air-oxidized linalool hydroperoxides are confirmed contact sensitizers — exposure is high in spray-on fragrance.
See more about Linalool →Alpha-Isomethyl IononeBad
IFRA / EU-declared fragrance allergen; recognized dermal sensitizer with cumulative-exposure concerns.
See more about Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone →BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)Bad
Synthetic antioxidant. Possible endocrine disruptor (mild estrogenic activity in cell studies); banned as a food additive in several countries. Restricted in California Prop 65 listings for some uses.
See more about BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) →LimoneneBad
IFRA / EU-declared fragrance allergen. Oxidizes on skin and in the bottle into stronger sensitizers; one of the top causes of fragrance contact dermatitis. Required label disclosure means it is present above 0.001% in this leave-on product.
See more about Limonene →Anise AlcoholBad
IFRA / EU-declared fragrance allergen; documented dermal sensitizer.
See more about Anise Alcohol →CitralBad
IFRA / EU-declared fragrance allergen with strong sensitizing potential — IFRA restricts maximum use levels in leave-on products specifically because of its high contact-allergy rate.
See more about Citral →EugenolBad
IFRA / EU-declared fragrance allergen. Clove-derived; documented strong dermal sensitizer with IFRA-restricted use levels in leave-on products.
See more about Eugenol →Benzyl AlcoholBad
IFRA / EU-declared fragrance allergen with mild preservative function; contact dermatitis is documented in spray fragrances.
See more about Benzyl Alcohol →GeraniolBad
IFRA / EU-declared fragrance allergen with rose-like odor. Documented skin sensitizer; oxidation products are even more reactive.
See more about Geraniol →CitronellolBad
IFRA / EU-declared fragrance allergen. Recognized dermal sensitizer; one of the most frequently cited fragrance allergens in patch-test studies.
See more about Citronellol →AlcoholNeutral
Ethanol-based solvent carrier (~80% of formula). Drying to skin but otherwise inert.
See more about Alcohol →Aqua (Water)Neutral
Solvent; safe.
See more about Aqua (Water) →Get the full breakdown in the Scout appTake Scout shopping
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