South Korea

MFDS — Cosmetics Act ingredient standards

MFDS Notification No. 2023-9 (화장품 배합금지 및 한도 성분)

18 compiled entries · 1 banned · 17 restricted

IngredientStatusLimitRuleCitation
hydroquinoneBannedMFDS prohibited (whitening ingredient banned OTC)Source
formaldehydeRestricted≤ 0.2%MFDS ≤0.2% (as preservative; prohibited in aerosol)Source
phenoxyethanolRestricted≤ 1%MFDS preservative limit ≤1.0%Source
salicylic acidRestricted≤ 0.5%MFDS ≤0.5% (cosmetics; ≤2% in acne functional)Source
resorcinolRestricted≤ 0.5%MFDS ≤0.5% (hair products only)Source
kojic acidRestricted≤ 2%MFDS whitening functional ≤2%Source
niacinamideRestricted≤ 100%MFDS whitening functional notified at 2–5%; unrestricted above 5%Source
adenosineRestricted≤ 0.04%MFDS anti-wrinkle functional ≤0.04%Source
retinolRestricted≤ 2500%MFDS anti-wrinkle functional ≤2500 IU/g (≈0.075%)Source
alpha-arbutinRestricted≤ 2%MFDS whitening functional ≤2% (α-arbutin)Source
arbutinRestricted≤ 5%MFDS whitening functional ≤5% (β-arbutin)Source
methylparabenRestricted≤ 0.4%MFDS ≤0.4% single; ≤0.8% total parabensSource
propylparabenRestricted≤ 0.14%MFDS ≤0.14% (propyl + butyl combined)Source
butylparabenRestricted≤ 0.14%MFDS ≤0.14% (propyl + butyl combined)Source
triclosanRestricted≤ 0.3%MFDS ≤0.3% (toothpaste only)Source
zinc pyrithioneRestricted≤ 1%MFDS ≤1.0% (anti-dandruff, rinse-off only)Source
oxybenzoneRestricted≤ 5%MFDS UV filter ≤5% (benzophenone-3)Source
benzophenone-3Restricted≤ 5%MFDS UV filter ≤5%Source

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

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