Health Canada Updates to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

On February 28, 2025, Health Canada made several changes to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.
Key updates include:
1.Retinal:
Added as a restricted substance due to therapeutic properties and skin irritation risks. Maximum concentration for leave-on full-body products is 0.01%.
2.Thioglycolic Acid Esters:
Added as prohibited due to skin sensitization risks. Continuous exposure to glyceryl thioglycolate in permed hair increases the risk of sensitization and dermatitis.
3.Mixed Cresols and Derivatives: Amended to differentiate between various cresols. p-Cresol and mixtures thereof remains prohibited, while m-cresol and o-cresol have new restrictions that they are not permitted in cosmetics intended to be used on or around mucosal membranes such as eyes, mouth or nose and can be use on other cosmetics upto 0.1%.
4.Peroxide and Peroxide-Generating Compounds: Amended to include specific conditions for hair, eyelash, and eyebrow products.
-Not permitted for use in products intended for application to the genital area
-In hair products it can be use upto concentration of 10%.
-Eyelash/Eyebrow Products: Max concentration 10%, for professional use only with a warning: ""Avoid contact with eyes.""
5.Benzoyl Peroxide: 
-Restricted to professional-use nail products only, with a maximum concentration of 10%
-Warning: ""Avoid skin contact"" ""Avoid skin contact"" ""Read directions carefully before using""
5.Retinol and Esters: Maximum concentration reduced in body lotions to avoid exceeding recommended tolerable upper intake levels for vitamin A.
-Leave-on Products (Full Body): Max concentration 0.2% retinol equivalents.
-Other Cosmetics: Max concentration 1.0% retinol equivalents.