Restricted And Prohibited Ingredients In Cosmetics In India

Are you involved in the development of beauty products? So you have been through getting the regulations for the country, and now you have to take some time to get together the list of prohibited and restricted ingredients so that you are obeying that country’s request for regulations.

If you want to build your market position as a cosmetics company, rolling, you need to really consider the place where the ingredients are “restricted” or “prohibited” for makers and importers. In India, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) regulates cosmetics under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act,1940. India has also required the regulation of this industry under the Cosmetics Rules 2020 in order to not allow harmful ingredients in these products.

This article will include a complete list of the ingredients that would be prohibited for use by government organizations as a banned ingredient. There is also a list of restricted ingredients and typical measures that manufacturers will take to make sure they comply with the cosmetics regulatory norms.

What Are Restricted And Prohibited Ingredients In Cosmetics?

Some cosmetic ingredients could be restricted or banned. In most cases, these are limited-use and/or restricted ingredients. They may be restricted or limited in the way that they can be used and/or the concentration of the product. Alternatively, they may be simply banned due to health concerns. Health and safety regulations exist to protect consumers from harmful effects, such as skin irritation, allergic reactions, reproductive toxicity, carcinogenic materials, and other health concerns.

List Of Common Prohibited And Restricted Ingredients In Cosmetics

Here’s a full list of common restricted and banned cosmetic ingredients in India based on the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945, and BIS (IS 4707 Part 1 and Part 2) criteria:

Prohibited Ingredients In Cosmetics In India

Category	Ingredient	Reason for Ban
Heavy Metals & Toxins	Lead and its compounds	Neurotoxic, carcinogenic
	Arsenic and its compounds	Toxic, carcinogenic
	Mercury compounds (except 0.007% in eye-area products)	Neurotoxic
Carcinogens & Toxins	Chloroform	Carcinogenic, toxic via inhalation
	Bithionol	Photosensitization, skin irritation
	Vinyl chloride	Carcinogenic, used in aerosols
	Zirconium complexes	Respiratory and systemic toxicity
Skin Lighteners	Hydroquinone (OTC skin creams)	Skin irritation, ochronosis
	Monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (MBEH)	Permanent depigmentation
Others	Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)	Reproductive toxicity
	Toluene	Nervous system toxicity
	Hexachlorophene (except ≤1% in soaps)	Neurotoxicity

Restricted Ingredients In Cosmetics In India

Ingredient	Purpose	Restriction / Limit
Formaldehyde	Preservative	Max 0.2% in finished products; labeling required
Salicylic Acid	Exfoliant, anti-acne	Max 2% in rinse-off; 3% in leave-on
Hydrogen Peroxide	Bleaching agent	Must have a cautionary label
Resorcinol	Hair dye ingredient	Must have cautionary label
Phenol	Antiseptic/disinfectant	Restricted to certain product types
Triclosan	Antibacterial agent	Max 0.3% in leave-on products
Parabens (e.g., methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-)	Preservatives	Combined limit typically up to 0.8%
Oxybenzone, Octinoxate	UV filters	Subject to concentration limits (per BIS guidelines)

Internationally Banned Ingredients Still Found In India

India indeed has working frameworks for regulation, but based on our research, it appears that some were banned in the US, several EU countries, and Japan can still be sold and purchased in the Indian market. Ingredients that are banned globally often relate to substantial health outcomes such as cancer, hormonal disruption, and reproductive toxicity. Given the ingredients that are still available for sale in India, we were worried about the regulatory enforcement, consumer awareness, and whether the regulations in India are based on international safety guidelines. Some examples are as follows:

• Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone is banned or regulated due to its potential carcinogenicity in many places; however, in India, there are skin-lightening creams available with hydroquinone that seemed to be of no concern.
• Parabens (Propylparaben, Butylparaben): Some parabens, as preservatives, which are also regulated products or banned in the EU; however, are still in abundance in cosmetics in your country.
• Triclosan: Triclosan has been banned for use in over-the-counter antibacterial products (in the U.S.); however, Triclosan can still be in some soaps and toothpaste that you will only find in Indian markets. Triclosan has also been studied due to antibiotic resistance and hormonal concerns since it was banned.

How Manufacturers Can Stay Compliant?

Manufacturers and importers must adhere to Indian laws to ensure their products are legally sold and safe for use. Key compliance steps are:

• Check ingredient safety against IS 4707 Part 1 & 2
• Adhere to the colorants listed in Schedule Q
• Register products with CDSCO, where applicable
• Label products according to Rule 148 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules
• Avoid prohibited ingredients in cosmetics, even if present in trace amounts

Role of BIS Standards in Ingredient Safety

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the authority for defining permitted and prohibited cosmetic ingredients in India. The relevant BIS standards are:

• IS 4707 (Part 1): Restricted substances in cosmetic products.
• IS 4707 (Part 2): Permitted preservatives, UV filters, antioxidants, and other additives.

BIS maintains these standards with improved safety information based on new scientific evidence and international safety standards.

Labeling Requirements for Safety and Transparency

Appropriate labeling is required by law to inform consumers to help them avoid harmful or banned cosmetic ingredients. Required label items are:

• Product name
• Ingredient list (INCI names)
• Net quantity
• Manufacturing date and expiry
• Batches number
• Name and address of manufacturer
• Directions for use and warnings, if any

If the product is imported, the label must include the importer’s details and must not contain false or misleading claims.

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