Ingredient & Patch Test Disclosure
What's in our products, how to check it, and why a patch test matters
Our aftercare range includes sulfate-free shampoo, conditioner, extension brushes and storage solutions, alongside our nano ring and clip-in hair extensions. This page explains exactly how ingredient labelling works for the cosmetic products we sell, where to find full ingredient lists, batch codes and expiry information, and why we recommend a patch test before first use of any new hair or skin-contact product.
Why we've written this, and what it applies to
Hair Island sells nano ring hair extensions, clip-in hair extensions, and a range of accessories and aftercare products, including extension brushes, sulfate-free shampoo, conditioner, and storage solutions. The shampoo and conditioner we stock are cosmetic products within the meaning of the UK Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013, which retains and enforces the requirements of EU Regulation 1223/2009 in Great Britain. This page explains how ingredient transparency, allergen labelling, batch coding and Responsible Person information work for those products, and sets out our general patch test recommendation for anything applied to the scalp, skin or hair.
We are a UK retailer of branded cosmetics — not the manufacturer
Our aftercare shampoo and conditioner are supplied by established, UK-based professional haircare brands. Hair Island purchases this stock through a UK-based distributor who is already responsible for ensuring the products placed on the UK market meet the labelling and safety requirements of the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013. We do not manufacture, repackage or reformulate any cosmetic product we sell.
Who is the legal "Responsible Person"
For every cosmetic product sold in the UK, the law requires a named "Responsible Person" — normally the manufacturer or their nominated UK or EU-based representative — to hold a full Product Information File and to ensure the product has passed a safety assessment. For the branded shampoo and conditioner we sell, that Responsible Person is the brand's own manufacturer or its nominated UK entity, and their name and address are printed directly on the product packaging, as the law requires. Hair Island is the retailer in this chain, not the Responsible Person, for products we source this way.
What we still take responsibility for
As a distributor under the Regulation, we take reasonable care to check that products we stock carry the required UK labelling, are within their shelf life when dispatched, and have not been damaged, tampered with or stored in conditions that could affect their safety before they reach you. If you ever have a concern about the condition, labelling or safety of a product you've received from us, please contact us immediately using the details at the bottom of this page.
Every bottle carries its complete INCI ingredient list — here's where to look
By law, the full list of ingredients for our shampoo and conditioner must appear on the product packaging itself, written using International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) names, listed in descending order of concentration for ingredients above 1%. Because formulations can be updated by the manufacturer between production runs, the ingredient list printed on the specific bottle or box you receive is always the accurate, current and legally binding one — more reliable than any list reproduced elsewhere, including on this website.
Where to look, in order
Fragrance allergens, sensitivities, and what UK cosmetics labelling requires
UK cosmetics regulation requires that certain fragrance allergens, when present above defined concentration thresholds, are individually named within the ingredient list rather than hidden under a general "Parfum" or "Fragrance" entry. Common examples that regularly appear in haircare products include Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol and Hexyl Cinnamal. Their presence does not mean a product is unsafe for the general population — it exists specifically so that people with a known sensitivity or diagnosed allergy can identify and avoid them.
What we'd ask you to do
If you have a known allergy or sensitivity to fragrance ingredients, preservatives, essential oils, or any other cosmetic ingredient, please check the full INCI list on the pack (see above) before first use, and speak to a pharmacist or your GP if you're ever unsure whether a specific named ingredient is safe for you.
Metal sensitivities & extension hardware
Our nano rings and clip-in bases use small metal components. If you have a known nickel or metal allergy, please contact us before ordering so we can confirm the specific alloy used in the item you're interested in, and consider a small-area trial before extended wear.
We recommend a patch test before using any new shampoo, conditioner, or styling product
Everyone's skin reacts differently, and a product that suits most people can still occasionally cause irritation or an allergic reaction in a small number of users. A simple patch test, carried out at home before full use, is a sensible precaution recommended for any new cosmetic product — including ours.
Apply a small amount to a discreet area
Use a small amount of the product on a small area of skin — the inside of your elbow or behind your ear are commonly used sites — rather than applying it across your scalp or full head of hair first.
Leave it undisturbed for 48 hours
Avoid washing the tested area and keep it away from other products during this window. Most reactions, if they're going to occur, will appear within this timeframe as redness, itching, swelling or a rash.
Check the area, then decide
If no reaction has appeared after 48 hours, the product is generally considered suitable for you to use as directed. If you notice any redness, itching, swelling or discomfort at any point, rinse the area thoroughly, discontinue use of the product, and seek advice from a pharmacist or GP if the reaction persists or worsens.
A sensible precaution, not a guarantee
A patch test reduces risk but cannot guarantee that no reaction will ever occur, since sensitivities can develop over time even to products you've used safely before. If you have a history of skin allergies, eczema, or a diagnosed sensitivity to any cosmetic ingredient, we recommend speaking to a pharmacist, dermatologist or GP before trying any new haircare product, including ours.
How to store your products, and how to read the codes printed on them
Storage instructions
As a general rule, keep shampoo, conditioner and other liquid cosmetics in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, with the cap fully closed between uses, and out of reach of young children. Extreme heat, freezing temperatures, and prolonged direct sun exposure can all affect a formula's stability and performance. Always follow any storage instructions printed on your specific product's own packaging, as these take priority over this general guidance.
Batch or lot number
Most cosmetic packaging carries a small batch or lot code, often printed or embossed near the base of the bottle or on the crimped seam of a tube. This code identifies the specific production run and is what the manufacturer uses to trace a product if a safety concern is ever raised. Please keep this code, or a photo of it, if you ever need to report an issue with a product to us or to the manufacturer.
The PAO symbol (period after opening)
Look for a small open-jar icon printed on the pack with a number followed by "M" inside or beside it, such as "12M" — this states the number of months the product remains safe and effective for use once opened, rather than its unopened shelf-life or expiry date. If a specific expiry date is shown instead of a PAO symbol, that date should always be followed in preference.
Brushes, storage cases and the extensions themselves aren't cosmetics — but safety still applies
Extension brushes, storage cases and similar accessories are general consumer goods rather than cosmetics, so the INCI ingredient labelling rules described above don't apply to them. They are, however, covered by the UK's General Product Safety Regulations, which require that any product placed on the market is safe under normal or reasonably foreseeable use.
Nano ring & clip-in extensions
Hair fibre: 100% double-drawn Remy human hair, processed during manufacture — see our Aftercare Guide for how this affects colouring and heat styling.
Hardware: nano rings and clip-in bases use small metal components; contact us before ordering if you have a known metal sensitivity.
The UK law behind this disclosure
This page is written to reflect the following UK legislation and labelling standards that govern how cosmetic and consumer products are sold in the United Kingdom.
What governs ingredient disclosure and product safety for what we sell
- Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013
- Enforces in Great Britain the requirements originally set out in EU Regulation 1223/2009 (retained in UK law), including the Responsible Person system, the Product Information File, INCI ingredient listing, and mandatory allergen disclosure above threshold concentrations.
- General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (as updated)
- Requires that consumer goods such as extension brushes, clips and storage cases are safe for normal and reasonably foreseeable use, and underpins our approach to checking accessory safety before listing.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015
- Requires all goods we sell, cosmetic or otherwise, to be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. A patch test recommendation and honest ingredient signposting do not remove this protection if a product genuinely arrives faulty or unsafe.
- Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
- Prohibits misleading claims or omissions about a product's characteristics, including ingredients and safety information, which is part of why we point you to the manufacturer's own current, authoritative ingredient list rather than reproducing it elsewhere.
- UK REACH & CLP labelling requirements
- Govern the classification, packaging and labelling of hazardous substances where relevant, working alongside the cosmetics-specific rules for any product that also falls within their scope.
- Provision of Services Regulations 2009
- Requires us to provide clear, accurate business and contact information, which is why our company details and Responsible Person guidance appear in full on this page.
If you ever have a concern about the safety or labelling of a cosmetic product, you can also report it to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline at citizensadvice.org.uk.
A few specific scenarios, answered
Why don't you list the full ingredients on this page or the product page?
Manufacturers occasionally update formulations between production runs, so the ingredient list printed on the specific bottle you receive is always the accurate and legally current one. Reproducing an ingredient list elsewhere risks it becoming out of date, which is why we point you directly to the pack, the manufacturer's official site, or our team if you'd like help finding it before you buy.
Is a patch test really necessary if I've used similar products before?
It's still a sensible precaution. Formulations differ between brands, and sensitivities can develop over time even to ingredients you've used safely before. A 48-hour patch test on a discreet area is a quick way to reduce risk before applying anything to your full scalp or hair.
What should I do if I have a reaction to a product?
Stop using the product immediately and rinse the affected area thoroughly with clean water. If irritation persists, worsens, or you experience a more serious reaction, seek advice from a pharmacist or GP promptly. Please also contact us with the product name and batch code so we can log the report and pass relevant details to the manufacturer.
Who do I contact if I can't find the Responsible Person information on my product?
Email us at hello@hairisland.co.uk with the product name and, if possible, a photo of the packaging. We'll confirm the manufacturer's Responsible Person details for that specific product on your behalf.
Does the hygiene exemption in your Cancellation Policy relate to this page?
Yes — once a sealed shampoo or conditioner bottle is opened, or a brush has made contact with hair, the hygiene exemption described in our Cancellation Policy means your statutory right to cancel that specific item no longer applies, separate from the ingredient and safety information covered here.
Company details & how to reach us
Hair Island Limited
Hair Island is the trading name of Hair Island Limited, the UK retailer you're contracting with when you place an order, and the correct entity to contact with any question about a product's safety, labelling or condition on arrival.
| Company number | 16790985 |
| VAT number | GB522646694 |
Registered address:
19-20 Bourne Court, Southend Road, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 8HD, United Kingdom
| Monday – Friday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
| Weekend & bank holidays | Closed |
The rest of our policies, in one place
Last updated and effective from 6 September 2026. Hair Island is a trading name of Hair Island Limited (company no. 16790985, VAT GB522646694), 19-20 Bourne Court, Southend Road, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 8HD, United Kingdom.