Maryland Strengthen Cosmetic Ingredient Restrictions and Enforcement

On April 28, 2026, the Governor of Maryland signed the Crown and Care Act (Senate Bill 656 / House Bill 1533) into law, further tightening the state's regulation of cosmetic ingredients. The legislation expands the list of prohibited substances in cosmetics, grants broader enforcement authority to regulators, and introduces enhanced civil penalties for violations. The new provisions will take effect on July 1, 2026.

The Act builds upon Maryland's earlier 2021 legislation (HB 643), which largely aligned with California's Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act and prohibited the intentional addition of 24 hazardous substances in cosmetics sold within the state beginning January 1, 2025.