A viral post on Instagram claims that the chemical Butylphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA), also known as Lilial, was banned in Europe, Nigeria, and other countries in 2022.
The post further alleges that despite this ban, the substance remains present in various cosmetic products being sold in 2025 and 2026 and issued a warning to the users to be watchful of the products they use.
An Instagram user @learnwithhadithya shared a video on February 17, 2026 with that caption:
“BMHCA, also known as Lilial, was banned in Europe in 2022.
It is classified as an endocrine disruptor that may affect fertility.
Multiple Dove soap batches have been recalled in Nigeria and Europe for containing this chemical.
But in India? No regulation. No recall. Still available.
Check your soap ingredients for Fragrance, Lilial, BMHCA, or Butylphenyl Methylpropional.
Stay safe!”
As of February 24, the post has generated over 3.5 million views, 913 comments and over 4500 reposts, with people expressing their fears in the comment.
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CLAIM
Post claims that the fragrance chemical Butylphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA/Lilial) was banned in 2022 but remains present in cosmetic products in 2025 and 2026.
FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is TRUE.
While a global ban was indeed implemented in 2022, regulatory agencies continue to identify and recall products containing the prohibited substance through 2025 and 2026.
Butylphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA) is a synthetic fragrance compound used for its intense floral scent, often compared to Lily of the Valley. It was once a common ingredient in soaps, shampoos, and perfumes. However, the European Union officially banned Lilial on March 1, 2022, after it was reclassified as a Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reprotoxic (CMR 1B) substance.
According to official safety reports, the chemical is a reproductive toxicant that can harm fertility and the health of an unborn child. It is also a known skin sensitizer that can cause contact dermatitis and severe allergic reactions.
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Keyword searches conducted by The FactCheckHub revealed that products containing BMHCA are still being detected in the market. In April 2024, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) issued Public Alert No. 012/2024, banning the sale of Dex Luxury Bar Soap (No. 6 Mystic Flower) because it was found to contain the prohibited chemical. Later that year, in August 2024, NAFDAC issued Public Alert No. 035/2024 for the recall of a batch of Dove Beauty Cream Bar Soap for the same reason.
The detection of these products has continued into the current year. On June 2, 2025, NAFDAC released Public Alert No. 018/2025, notifying Nigerians that European Union authorities had banned certain Dove Hand Soap and Deodorant products for containing prohibited BMHCA.
The FactCheckHub urges its readers and everyone at large to always check soaps or cosmetics ingredients before use. If it contains Lilial, any of the shortened forms of Butylphenyl Methylpropional, do not use it.
VERDICT
The claim is TRUE. Although BMHCA was officially banned in the EU and Nigeria in 2022, it is still being detected in cosmetic products like Dex and Dove soaps in 2024, 2025, and 2026, leading to ongoing public health alerts and recalls.
Seasoned writer and literary curator, Zainab Abdulrasaq is a factchecker for The FactCheckHub in an effort to combat information disorder. She can be reached on IG @blackbookishgirl or zabdulrasaq@icirnigeria.org
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