Request a Demo
According to data from National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), 88 batches of non-compliant products containing prohibited ingredients were detected between Jan. 2023 and Feb. 2024. 1 Notably, 79 batches were identified in 2023, exhibiting a year-on-year surge of 155% compared to 2022.
NMPA has significantly strengthened its punitive measures for non-compliant products. Alongside conventional measures like product sales suspension, source tracing, enterprise investigations, the authority has also imposed substantial fines in certain cases as a strong deterrent. For example, products found to contain the prohibited ingredient progesterone were subject to fines of up to 2.49 million yuan. These actions effectively showcase the NMPA's resolute stance and rigorous penalties concerning cosmetics containing prohibited ingredients.
Product Categories Containing Prohibited Ingredients
During the period from Jan. 2023 to Feb. 2024, hair care products (40.9%) exhibited the highest prevalence in the prohibited ingredients detection, followed by nail polish (19.3%) and anti-acne cream/essence (13.6%).
Prohibited Ingredients Found in Cosmetics
During the period from Jan. 2023 to Feb. 2024, the most commonly detected prohibited ingredients in cosmetics were triclosan, mixture of methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone with magnesium chloride and magnesium nitrate, followed by hormones, antibiotics/antifungal/antiallergic drugs, as well as substances such as 1,2-dichloroethane and dichloromethane.
1) Triclosan: A broad-spectrum antibacterial agent. According to Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (STSC), triclosan is a preservative only permitted in specific products such as hand washing soaps, bath soaps, shower gels, deodorants (non-spray), make-up powders, concealers, and nail cleaners, at a maximum concentration of 0.3%. It is not allowed to be added to shampoos and hair conditioners. All 23 batches of products found with triclosan were shampoos.
2) Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate: Out of the 88 batches of non-compliant products containing prohibited ingredients, 21 batches were found to contain the same ingredient—Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate. According to STSC, this ingredient is a preservative only permitted in rinse-off products at a maximum concentration of 0.0015%. However, it is considered a prohibited ingredient in leave-on products.
The non-compliance of the products containing this ingredient lies in two aspects. Firstly, some batches exceeded the permitted concentration limit. Secondly, the ingredient was used in leave-on products that do not require washing off, such as hair care products, making its presence non-compliant.
3) Hormones and antibiotics/antifungal/antiallergic drugs: As prohibited ingredients stipulated by STSC, these ingredients are often illicitly added to anti-acne products, facial masks, and children's cosmetics, promising quick but short-lived effects. However, the long-term use of such non-compliant products can cause severe damage to the skin.
The regulatory authorities have taken strong measures to combat the illegal addition of these ingredients. In March 2023, Yunnan Provincial Medical Products Administration (MPA) levied a significant fine of 522,000 yuan on a company that manufactured anti-acne cream containing three types of antibiotics: metronidazole, clindamycin, and lincomycin.
Furthermore, a maternal and child store was discovered selling children's cosmetics containing hormones produced by the same factory. As a consequence, the factory had its cosmetics production license revoked and was prohibited from applying for cosmetics registration or notification for 10 years. Moreover, the factory’s legal person and responsible person for production are permanently barred from engaging in cosmetics production and operation activities.
4) 1,2-dichloroethane and dichloromethane: Although stipulated by STSC as prohibited ingredients, these two ingredients still be detected in many products each year, particularly in nail polish. In some instances, the presence of these ingredients may be unintentional, as they could be introduced through purchased chemical ingredients. Therefore, production enterprises must exercise strict quality control over their ingredients to prevent the inclusion of prohibited substances.
Compliance Suggestion
On May 28, 2021, NMPA implemented updated versions of Inventory of Prohibited Ingredients for Cosmetics and Inventory of Prohibited Plant (Animal) Ingredients for Cosmetics. The updated inventories prohibit some cosmetic ingredients that were previously permitted. Unfortunately, after the update, there are still companies producing and selling products that contain these newly prohibited ingredients, leading to punitive actions. With the advancement of prohibited ingredient testing methods and the increased sensitivity of testing equipment, the detection of prohibited ingredients is getting more accurate. Welcome to use ChemLinked Ingredient Search Tool to quickly check whether an ingredient is prohibited or restricted in China.
Furthermore, in 2024, children's cosmetics will be a primary focus of inspection by NMPA. Rules for the Discretionary Application of Administrative Penalties for Drug Supervision and Administration, issued on February 23, 2024, clarifies that the "illegal addition of ingredients that may endanger human health in children's cosmetics" will be treated as "serious circumstances" and subject to corresponding penalties. This demonstrates the NMPA's commitment to stricter supervision and more severe penalties, particularly concerning prohibited ingredients in children's cosmetics. Enterprises should meticulously control the quality of ingredients used in children's cosmetics to ensure compliance with regulations.
Full List of Products Containing Prohibited Ingredients, January 2023 - February 2024
Publish Date | Product Category | Prohibited Ingredient Detected | Detected Concentration | Punishment | Source |
January 11, 2023 | Anti-acne serum | Dexamethasone | 8.2 μg/g | The store was fined 20,000 yuan. | |
Clindamycin | 6665.2 μg/g | ||||
Ofloxacin | 4280.8 μg/g | ||||
Hair essence milk | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0014% | The production enterprise was fined 33,500 yuan. | ||
Anti-dandruff and anti-itching shampoo | Triclosan | 0.04% | Not mentioned | ||
Polypeptide shampoo | Triclosan | 0.15% | The production enterprise was fined 105,000 yuan. | ||
Nail polish | 1,2-Dichloroethane | Purple part:<2.0 μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Dichloromethane | Purple part: 12.9 μg /g; Entrained sequins: 17.1 μg/g | Not mentioned | |||
Nail polish | 1,2-Dichloroethane | 12.9 μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Nail polish | 1,2-Dichloroethane | 20.1 μg/g | The Taobao store was fined 30,000 yuan. | ||
Nail polish | 1,2-Dichloroethane | 10.3 μg/g | |||
January 19, 2023 | Black hair lotion | O-aminophenol | 0.30% | Not mentioned | |
Acne clearing and lightening repair cream | Clobetasol propionate | 0.14 μg/g | The store was fined 20,000 yuan. | ||
Anti-acne lotion | Clindamycin | 161 μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Lincomycin | 172 μg/g | ||||
Peptide repair facial mask | Desonide | 1.21 μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Anti-dandruff and anti-itching shampoo | Triclosan | 0.046% | Not mentioned | ||
Anti-dandruff and anti-itching shampoo | Triclosan | 0.028% | Not mentioned | ||
Anti-dandruff shampoo | Triclosan | 0.044% | Not mentioned | ||
Anti-dandruff shampoo | Triclosan | 0.27% | Not mentioned | ||
Anti-acne serum | Chloramphenicol | 1.00×10 4 μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Peptide repair facial mask | Flumethasone | 0.39 μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Nail polish | 1,2-Dichloroethane | <2.0 μg/g | The production enterprise was fined 10,000 yuan; The brand was fined 50,000 yuan. | ||
Nail polish | 1,2-Dichloroethane | 102 μg/g | |||
Nail polish | 1,2-Dichloroethane | 20.4 μg/g | The Taobao store was fined 30,000 yuan. | ||
February 10, 2023 | Whitening and freckle-removing essence cream | Clobetasol propionate | 147.98 μg/g | The store was fined 1,000 yuan. | |
Hair dye | 2-Chloro-p-phenylenediamine sulfate | 0.064% | Not mentioned | ||
Facial mask | Clobetasol propionate | 41 μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Facial mask | Desonide | 1.54 μg/g | The production enterprise was fined 90,000 yuan. | ||
Facial mask | Flumethasone | 0.3 μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Moisturizing and repair shampoo | Triclosan | 0.19% | The production enterprise was fined 23,000 yuan. | ||
Anti-dandruff nourishing shampoo | Triclosan | 0.14% | |||
Oil control shampoo | Triclosan | 0.021% | Not mentioned | ||
Protein essence | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0023% | Not mentioned | ||
Hair conditioner | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.00130% | Not mentioned | ||
Multi-effect repair cream | Halobetasol propionate | 287 μg/g | Production enterprise had their production license revoked and were prohibited from applying for notification for 10 years. The legal person and the responsible person for production are permanently prohibited from participating in the cosmetic industry. | ||
Cyproheptadine | 1.93×10 6 ng/g | ||||
Hydrating essence mask | Flumethasone | 0.340 μg/g | The brand was fined 100,000 yuan; The Taobao store was fined 20,000 yuan. | ||
Scalp anti-dandruff shampoo | Triclosan | 0.01% | The production enterprise was fined 25,000 yuan. | ||
Scalp oil control shampoo | Triclosan | 0.0078% | |||
Oil control shampoo | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0023% | The production enterprise was fined 23,000 yuan. | ||
Triclosan | 0.023% | ||||
Anti-dandruff shampoo | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0017% | The production enterprise was fined 33,500 yuan. | ||
Triclosan | 0.023% | The production enterprise was fined 23,000 yuan. | |||
Anti-dandruff shampoo | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0024% | Not mentioned | ||
Triclosan | 0.018% | The production enterprise was fined 23,000 yuan. | |||
Nourishing shampoo | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0022% | Not mentioned | ||
Triclosan | 0.029% | The production enterprise was fined 23,000 yuan. | |||
Shampoo | Triclosan | 0.082% | The production enterprise was fined 25,000 yuan. | ||
February 14, 2023 | Anti-acne serum | Ciprofloxacin | 0.904 μg/g | Not mentioned | |
Clindamycin | 0.802 μg/g | ||||
Acne clearing and oil control cleansing foam | Ciprofloxacin | <0.75 μg/g | The Kuaishou store was fined 20,000 yuan. | ||
Anti-acne repair cream | Cimetidine | 2269 μg/g | The store was fined 9,000 yuan. | ||
Hair cleanser | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0023% | Not mentioned | ||
Triclosan | 0.16% | ||||
Anti-dandruff shampoo | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0025% | Not mentioned | ||
Triclosan | 0.43% | ||||
Shampoo | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.00137% | Not mentioned | ||
Leave-on hair mask | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.00028% | Not mentioned | ||
Repair essence | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.00341% | Not mentioned | ||
Pimple clearing liquid | Clindamycin | 1 μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Pimple clearing liquid | Desonide | <0.1 μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Clindamycin | 2 μg/g | ||||
Anti-acne cream | Metronidazole | 4255.19 μg/g | The brand was fined 522,000 yuan. | ||
Clindamycin | 6421.00 μg/g | ||||
Lincomycin | 5.00 μg/g | ||||
Hair dye | 2-Chloro-p-phenylenediamine sulfate | 0.013% | The production enterprise was fined 85,000 yuan. | ||
Color-protecting and smoothing hair serum | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0015% | Not mentioned | ||
Perfumed volumizing lotion | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0014% | The production enterprise was fined 33,500 yuan. | ||
Shampoo | Triclosan | 0.011% | The production enterprise was fined 25,000 yuan. | ||
February 23, 2023 | Shampoo | Triclosan | 0.13% | Not mentioned | |
Essence milk | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0017% | Not mentioned | ||
Nail polish | 1,2-Dichloroethane | <2.0 μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Nail polish | 1,2-Dichloroethane | <2.0 μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Nail polish | 1,2-Dichloroethane | <2.0 μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
August 30, 2023 | Nail polish | Dichloromethane | 7.36 μg/g | Not mentioned | |
Nail polish | Dichloromethane | 4.99 μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
September 27, 2023 | Plant gel | Betamethasone dipropionate | 28 μg/g | The brand was fined 91,000 yuan; The store was fined 2,000 yuan. | |
October 26, 2023 | Nail polish | Dichloromethane | 13.3 μg/g | The brand was fined 12,000 yuan. | |
Nail polish | Dichloromethane | 15.2 μg/g | |||
Nail function gel strengthener | Dichloromethane | 2.56 μg/g | The brand was fined 30,000 yuan; The production enterprise was fined 10,000 yuan. | ||
Nail function base gel | 1,2-Dichloroethane | 4.36 μg/g | |||
Egg yolk oil | Progesterone | 0.2 μg/g | The production enterprise was fined 2,490,000 yuan. | ||
Baby skin cream | Terbinafine | 0.03 mg/kg | Production enterprises had their production license revoked and were prohibited from applying for notification for 10 years. The legal person and the responsible person for production are permanently prohibited from participating in the cosmetic industry. | ||
Plant moisturizing balancing essence | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0010% | Not mentioned | ||
November 21, 2023 | Oil control and repair shampoo | Triclosan | 0.07% | The production enterprise was fined 21,000 yuan; The brand was fined 10,000 yuan. | |
Anti-dandruff shampoo | Triclosan | 0.04% | |||
Shampoo | Triclosan | 0.017% | The production enterprise was fined 23,000 yuan. | ||
Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0034% | Not mentioned | |||
Hair mask | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0015% | Not mentioned | ||
Hair conditioner | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0014% | The production enterprise was fined 21,000 yuan. | ||
Hair conditioner | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0016% | The production enterprise was fined 23,000 yuan. | ||
Hair care cream | Isopropyl 4-hydroxybenzoate | 0.0013% | Not mentioned | ||
Leave-on silky fluid | Mixture of Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone with Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Nitrate | 0.0010% | The barber shop was fined 20,000 yuan. | ||
Hair dye | O-aminophenol | 0.32% | Not mentioned | ||
January 4, 2024 | Refreshing cream | Naphazoline | 3.47mg/kg | Not mentioned | |
Anti-acne cream | Metronidazole | 6843μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Clindamycin | 12260μg/g | Not mentioned | |||
Cream | Flumetasone | 0.23μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
February 2, 2024 | Anti-acne cream | Terbinafine | ＜0.02mg/kg | Not mentioned | |
Nail polish | 1,2-Dichloroethane | 4.09μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Hair dyes | 2-Chloro-p-phenylenediamine sulfate | 0.068% | Not mentioned | ||
Baby moisturizing and repair cream | Halobetasol propionate | 3.67μg/g | Not mentioned | ||
Clobetasol propionate | 5.12μg/g | Not mentioned | |||
Cyproheptadine | 1.51×105ng/g | Not mentioned | |||
Baby skincare cream | Terbinafine | 0.083mg/kg | Not mentioned | ||
Baby skincare cream | Terbinafine | 0.064mg/kg | Not mentioned |
With extensive experience in NCI notification, ChemLinked’s parent company REACH24H Consulting Group offers compliance solutions to assist overseas cosmetic enterprises entering into China market. Welcome to contact us at [email protected] for more advice.
We provide full-scale global cosmetic market entry services (including cosmetic registering & filing, regulatory consultation, customized training, market research, branding strategy). Please contact us to discuss how we can help you by 
