Understanding China’s Anti-Hair Loss Cosmetics Guidelines: From Market Trends to Compliance Strategies

On December 16, 2025, China's National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) officially released the Technical Guidelines for Research on Anti-Hair Loss Cosmetics (Trial) (the Cosmetics Technical Guidelines), and the Technical Guidelines for Research on Efficacy-Related Ingredients of Anti-Hair Loss Cosmetics (Trial) (the Ingredients Technical Guidelines)¹. As the first industry guidance to systematically regulate the research of anti-hair loss products, these documents set clear technical requirements for efficacy studies and ingredient evaluation, marking a milestone in the industry's transition to science-based regulatory practices.

Starting with the current landscape of the anti-hair loss cosmetics market, this article summarizes the new requirements for ingredient classification and formulation evaluation, providing actionable compliance guidance for companies.

Anti-Hair Loss Market: Growth & Challenges

Hair loss has become a major subsegment of the hair care market, affecting hundreds of millions of consumers. The 2025 China Scalp Health Industry White Paper reports that China's hair loss population totals 340 million, with nearly 70% aged 20–35, reflecting a clear trend toward younger demographics. Growing demand has fueled market growth. According to the Zhiyun Research, the anti-hair loss hair care market reached RMB 18.05 billion in 2023, and is expected to surpass RMB 30 billion by 2030, accounting for nearly one-third of the overall hair care market².

While demand for anti-hair loss products grows, supply-side innovation lags. The three most widely used ingredients related to anti-hair loss efficacy—platycladus orientalis leaf extract, caffeine, and diaminopyrimidine oxide—continue to dominate the market. Without clear research and evaluation guidelines, companies tend to rely on established formulations to manage compliance risks, constraining innovation. Meanwhile, although human trials are required for anti-hair loss products, inadequate guidance at the ingredient level leaves room for exaggerated claims and non-compliant product promotion.

Given these challenges, it has become necessary for regulators to establish systematic technical guidelines to redefine the research and evaluation framework for anti-hair loss cosmetics.