China

NMPA — Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics

NMPA 化妆品安全技术规范 (2015 ed., 2021 update)

18 compiled entries · 5 banned · 13 restricted

IngredientStatusLimitRuleCitation
hydroquinoneBannedNMPA prohibited raw material listSource
mercuryBannedNMPA prohibited raw material listSource
retinoic acidBannedNMPA prohibited (cosmetics; Rx medicine only)Source
lead acetateBannedNMPA prohibitedSource
arsenic compoundsBannedNMPA prohibitedSource
phenoxyethanolRestricted≤ 1%NMPA restricted list ≤1.0%Source
salicylic acidRestricted≤ 2%NMPA restricted list ≤2.0% (for hair care; ≤3% nail products)Source
kojic acidRestricted≤ 2%NMPA restricted list ≤2.0% (whitening)Source
arbutinRestricted≤ 7%NMPA restricted ≤7.0% (whitening)Source
alpha-arbutinRestricted≤ 2%NMPA restricted ≤2.0%Source
methylparabenRestricted≤ 0.4%NMPA restricted ≤0.4% (≤0.8% total parabens)Source
propylparabenRestricted≤ 0.14%NMPA restricted ≤0.14% (combined C3+C4 parabens)Source
butylparabenRestricted≤ 0.14%NMPA restricted ≤0.14%Source
formaldehydeRestricted≤ 0.2%NMPA restricted ≤0.2% (released; prohibited in aerosol)Source
triclosanRestricted≤ 0.3%NMPA restricted ≤0.3% (toothpaste, antiseptic hand-wash)Source
oxybenzoneRestricted≤ 10%NMPA UV filter positive list ≤10%Source
benzophenone-3Restricted≤ 10%NMPA UV filter positive list ≤10%Source
homosalateRestricted≤ 10%NMPA UV filter positive list ≤10%Source

2026-07-21 · Compiled from cited primary sources. Informational only — not legal advice.

Check a full formulation →