📢 Health Canada Updates Cosmetic Regulations
On February 28, 2025, Health Canada released significant modifications to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, impacting both prohibited and restricted ingredients. These updates aim to enhance the safety of cosmetic products and protect consumer health.
🚨 List of Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients in 2025
Newly Prohibited Ingredients:
- Thioglycolic Acid Esters: Banned due to the risk of skin sensitization.
Newly Restricted Ingredients:
- Retinal (Vitamin A Aldehyde): Now restricted due to its therapeutic properties and potential for skin irritation.
- Mixed Cresols and Derivatives: Restrictions have been strengthened, with p-cresol now prohibited and concentration limits set for m-cresol and o-cresol.
- Peroxides and Peroxide-Releasing Substances: Maximum allowable concentrations introduced for hair products, and restrictions imposed on products applied to the genital area.
- Benzoyl Peroxide: Now permitted only in professional-use nail products.
- Retinol and Its Esters: Maximum concentration reduced for certain products, including body lotions.
Additionally, Aluminum Chlorohydrate and related complexes remain under Health Canada’s ongoing review, with potential future updates to be announced upon completion of the assessment.
📌 Official Source: Health Canada - Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
🎯 How to Ensure Compliance with the 2025 Regulations?
- Review Your Cosmetic Formulations – Identify products that contain newly restricted or prohibited ingredients.
- Assess Authorized Concentrations – If your products contain restricted substances, ensure compliance with the newly imposed limits.
- Update Your Regulatory Documentation – Ensure that safety data sheets, labeling, and compliance documents align with the latest regulations.
- Plan for Reformulations – Explore alternative ingredients for those now prohibited.
- Train Your R&D and Regulatory Teams – Keep internal teams updated to prevent compliance issues.
Implementing these regulatory changes requires time and expertise. Seeking support from regulatory specialists can help prevent recalls, non-compliance penalties, or product bans.
Previous Updates to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist:
- August 2022 – Earlier revision of the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.
- May 2024 – Health Canada’s previous Hotlist update.
🤝 Get Expert Support to Ensure Cosmetic Compliance
Our Montreal-based team of regulatory experts is here to help you review your cosmetic product portfolio and make the necessary adjustments to ensure compliance with the latest Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist update. This includes formula revisions, packaging updates, and more.
📌 Contact EcoMundo’s experts today for an initial assessment of your needs and ensure your products remain compliant!
Articles complémentaires sur la règlementation cosmétique au Canada
Responsible Person in Canada or Canadian Agent?
Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a “Responsible Person” (RP) in Canada. The applicable role is that of “Canadian Agent”... Read More
Regulatory Amendment for Cosmetics in Canada
On April 24, 2024, Health Canada announced a significant update concerning the disclosure of ingredients in cosmetics, aligning standards with those of the European Union... Read more
📢 Health Canada Updates Cosmetic Regulations
On February 28, 2025, Health Canada released significant modifications to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, impacting both prohibited and restricted ingredients. These updates aim to enhance the safety of cosmetic products and protect consumer health.
🚨 List of Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients in 2025
Newly Prohibited Ingredients:
- Thioglycolic Acid Esters: Banned due to the risk of skin sensitization.
Newly Restricted Ingredients:
- Retinal (Vitamin A Aldehyde): Now restricted due to its therapeutic properties and potential for skin irritation.
- Mixed Cresols and Derivatives: Restrictions have been strengthened, with p-cresol now prohibited and concentration limits set for m-cresol and o-cresol.
- Peroxides and Peroxide-Releasing Substances: Maximum allowable concentrations introduced for hair products, and restrictions imposed on products applied to the genital area.
- Benzoyl Peroxide: Now permitted only in professional-use nail products.
- Retinol and Its Esters: Maximum concentration reduced for certain products, including body lotions.
Additionally, Aluminum Chlorohydrate and related complexes remain under Health Canada’s ongoing review, with potential future updates to be announced upon completion of the assessment.
📌 Official Source: Health Canada - Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
🎯 How to Ensure Compliance with the 2025 Regulations?
- Review Your Cosmetic Formulations – Identify products that contain newly restricted or prohibited ingredients.
- Assess Authorized Concentrations – If your products contain restricted substances, ensure compliance with the newly imposed limits.
- Update Your Regulatory Documentation – Ensure that safety data sheets, labeling, and compliance documents align with the latest regulations.
- Plan for Reformulations – Explore alternative ingredients for those now prohibited.
- Train Your R&D and Regulatory Teams – Keep internal teams updated to prevent compliance issues.
Implementing these regulatory changes requires time and expertise. Seeking support from regulatory specialists can help prevent recalls, non-compliance penalties, or product bans.
Previous Updates to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist:
- August 2022 – Earlier revision of the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.
- May 2024 – Health Canada’s previous Hotlist update.
🤝 Get Expert Support to Ensure Cosmetic Compliance
Our Montreal-based team of regulatory experts is here to help you review your cosmetic product portfolio and make the necessary adjustments to ensure compliance with the latest Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist update. This includes formula revisions, packaging updates, and more.
📌 Contact EcoMundo’s experts today for an initial assessment of your needs and ensure your products remain compliant!
Articles complémentaires sur la règlementation cosmétique au Canada
Responsible Person in Canada or Canadian Agent?
Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a “Responsible Person” (RP) in Canada. The applicable role is that of “Canadian Agent”... Read More
Regulatory Amendment for Cosmetics in Canada
On April 24, 2024, Health Canada announced a significant update concerning the disclosure of ingredients in cosmetics, aligning standards with those of the European Union... Read more
