FAQs Vol. 23 | China Answers Questions About the Latest Version of Ingredient Usage Information of Marketed Products

The Ingredient Information released in February 2025 expands on the contents in the previous version released on April 30, 2024, which contained 4,415 pieces of usage information of 2,234 ingredients. The new Ingredient Information systematically analyzes the ingredient information of registered and notified cosmetics in China and expands the data volume to 7,672 pieces of usage information of 3,608 ingredients. Additionally, it newly regulates application areas such as body hair and nails (fingers and toes) while further optimizing the reference principles.

The Ingredient Information is an objective collection of ingredients in cosmetics registered and notified validly in China. However, it is important to note that the listed ingredients in the document have not undergone systematic safety assessment.

Cosmetic registrants and notifiers are required to adhere to relevant national laws, regulations, mandatory national standards, and technical specifications when utilizing relevant ingredient information. Additionally, they are required to conduct comprehensive cosmetic safety assessments and bear full responsibility for the quality and safety of their products.

There are two principles when referring to the Ingredient Information.

1. For the same ingredient applied on the same area, if the ingredient only has a recorded use amount in leave-on products, it can be used as a reference for rinse-off products.

2. For the same ingredient used in the same way but applied to different areas, the use amount can be referenced in the following orders: whole body skin, trunk area, face (including neck), hands and feet, head, hair, lips, eyes, and nails (fingers and toes). The ingredient use amount for the former areas can serve as a reference for later areas. However, when the product is applied to eyes and the use amount for other areas is referenced, the ingredient must be assessed for eye irritation separately. Specifically:

• The usage levels for hands and feet, head, or hair cannot serve as the reference for lips and eyes.

• For ingredients intended for body hair, only the usage level for the whole body or trunk can serve as the reference.

• If the application area includes both the head and hair, the use amount for the head can be referenced.

• If the application area includes the face (including neck), eye area, and/or lips, the use amount for the face (including the neck) can be referenced. If the eye area is included, additional assessment of eye irritation is required.

• For ingredients used in products targeting multiple areas, the use amount for the former area with the same application method should be referenced.

Cosmetic registrants and notifiers should use the ingredients properly by considering the product’s application methods and intended application areas. Industry players can refer to the following examples for better use of Ingredient Information:

Example 1: How to use the Ingredient Information for rinse-off products applied to the “face (including neck)” and “hand and feet”?

The use amount provided for rinse-off products targeting the whole body and/or trunk can be used directly. However, if such use amount is not provided in the Ingredient Information, the ingredient usage information of leave-on products for whole body skin and/or trunk can be adopted.

Example 2: How to use the Ingredient Information for rinse-off products applied to “head/hair”?

For rinse-off head products, the corresponding use amount provided in the Ingredient Information can be used directly. If the use amount is not provided in the Ingredient Information, the ingredient amount for leave-on head products can be referenced. If no ingredient amount for leave-on head products is specified in the Ingredient Information, the use amount for leave-on or rinse-off applied to hands and feet, face (including neck), whole body skin, and the trunk area can be adopted.

Example 3: How to use the Ingredient Information for leave-on products applied to “face (including neck)”, “eye area”, and “lips”?

The use amount provided for leave-on products for face (including neck) can be used directly. If the use amount is not provided in the Ingredient Information, the ingredient usage information for leave-on products for whole body skin and/or trunk area can be adopted.

It is important to note that if the Ingredient Information does not include the usage amount for this ingredient in leave-on products specifically intended for the eye area, an additional eye irritation assessment must be conducted.