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🇨🇦 Canada-Focused Reference

Cosmetic Ingredient
Safety Reference

A plain-English breakdown of cosmetic ingredients flagged by Health Canada and international safety bodies. Based on the Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist and Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) assessments — the same data powering the SkinCompass app.

🏛 Health Canada Hotlist 🔬 CIR Safety Assessments
19
Restricted or prohibited by Health Canada
24
Caution ingredients — permitted with caveats
⚠ Restricted

Health Canada Hotlist

These ingredients are prohibited outright or restricted to specific product types and concentrations under the Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. Products sold in Canada must comply.

Restricted
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
Prohibited in leave-on products; restricted to ≤0.0015% in rinse-off formulations due to skin sensitization risk.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)
Restricted to rinse-off products only (≤0.0015% combined with MIT); prohibited in leave-on cosmetics due to sensitization risk.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Formaldehyde
Strictly limited in cosmetics (≤0.2% in oral hygiene products; ≤0.1% in other formulations). A designated allergen and sensitizer.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
DMDM Hydantoin
A formaldehyde-releasing preservative; restricted due to the potential for formaldehyde release and associated sensitization. Common in shampoos and conditioners.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Imidazolidinyl Urea
A formaldehyde-releasing preservative; regulatory limits apply due to sensitization potential from formaldehyde release.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Diazolidinyl Urea
A formaldehyde-releasing preservative; regulatory limits apply due to sensitization potential from formaldehyde release.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Quaternium-15
A formaldehyde-releasing preservative; among the most common causes of cosmetic contact dermatitis. Regulatory limits apply.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Bronopol (2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol)
A formaldehyde-releasing preservative; restricted due to potential formaldehyde release under certain conditions.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Hydroquinone
Restricted to ≤1% in OTC cosmetics; higher concentrations require a prescription. Associated with skin discolouration with prolonged use.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Resorcinol
Restricted in hair dye formulations (≤0.5%); mandatory cautionary labelling required.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
p-Phenylenediamine (PPD)
Restricted to ≤6% in oxidative hair dyes; mandatory warning labels required. A common cause of contact allergy to hair colourants.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Triclosan
Restricted to OTC antiseptic products (≤0.3%); prohibited in most rinse-off consumer cosmetics due to antimicrobial resistance and environmental concerns.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Kojic Acid
Restricted to ≤1% in cosmetic formulations; a skin-lightening agent associated with contact sensitization at higher concentrations.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
Not permitted in cosmetic products sold in Canada. Phthalate plasticizers are subject to regulatory restrictions under CEPA.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Diethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP)
Not permitted in cosmetic products sold in Canada. Subject to regulatory restrictions under CEPA.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP)
Subject to regulatory concentration limits in cosmetics sold in Canada. Phthalate plasticizers are regulated under CEPA.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Coal Tar
Restricted to anti-dandruff shampoos (≤0.5%); not permitted in other cosmetic product categories per the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Restricted
Hydrogen Peroxide
Permitted in specific product types (e.g., hair bleach, tooth whitening) at regulated concentrations; prohibited above these limits in general cosmetics.
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
⚡ Caution

Common Ingredients — Use with Awareness

These ingredients are permitted in Canada at current cosmetic use concentrations but have caveats noted by Health Canada, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, or other recognized safety bodies. Not restricted — but worth knowing.

Caution
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Permitted at current cosmetic use concentrations. Assessed as safe in rinse-off formulations; may cause transient skin irritation in individuals with sensitive or compromised skin barriers.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Permitted at current concentrations. Assessed as safe in rinse-off products; milder than SLS. Some individuals with sensitive skin may experience mild irritation.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Permitted at current concentrations. Assessed as safe in rinse-off formulations. May cause transient irritation in sensitive individuals.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Permitted at current concentrations. Assessed as safe as used; however, identified as a contact sensitizer in some individuals.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Methylparaben
Permitted at established concentrations (≤0.4% individually; ≤0.8% combined parabens). Some consumer groups note potential endocrine-related concerns.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Ethylparaben
Permitted at established concentrations. Assessed as safe as used. Some consumer groups note potential endocrine-related concerns.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Propylparaben
Health Canada advises limiting use in products for children under three applied to the diaper area. Assessed as safe at current concentrations in other uses.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Butylparaben
Health Canada advises limiting use in products for children under three applied to the diaper area. Assessed as safe at current concentrations in other uses.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Isobutylparaben
Permitted at established concentrations. Assessed as safe as used. Some consumer groups note potential endocrine-related concerns at higher exposure levels.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Benzyl Alcohol
Permitted at current concentrations. Assessed as safe as used; classified as a potential sensitizer that may cause contact reactions in sensitive individuals.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
Permitted at current concentrations. Assessed as safe as used. Some regulatory bodies have noted ongoing safety reviews at elevated exposure levels.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
Permitted at current concentrations. Assessed as safe as used. Some studies note potential for skin sensitization; regulatory reviews ongoing in certain jurisdictions.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Phenoxyethanol
Permitted at current use concentrations. Assessed as safe as formulated. Some individuals with sensitive skin may report reactions.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Alcohol Denat.
Permitted at current concentrations. Assessed as safe as used. A drying alcohol that may disrupt the skin barrier with repeated use, particularly in sensitive or dry skin types.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Fragrance / Parfum
Health Canada requires fragrance components to be disclosed on cosmetic labels. Fragrance is among the most frequently cited causes of contact allergy in cosmetics. The International Fragrance Association restricts specific sensitizing components.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3)
Permitted in sunscreen products at regulated concentrations. Assessed as safe as used; some studies suggest potential endocrine-related activity at levels above cosmetic use. Regulatory review ongoing.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate)
Permitted at current concentrations. Assessed as safe as used; regulatory review of potential endocrine-related activity ongoing in several jurisdictions.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Retinol (Vitamin A)
Health Canada recommends limiting concentration in day-use products and advises caution during pregnancy. May increase photosensitivity.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Retinyl Palmitate
Health Canada advises caution in day-use formulations given potential for photosensitivity, and during pregnancy. Assessed as safe at current concentrations.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Salicylic Acid
Health Canada restricts use in products for children under three and in certain product categories. Assessed as safe at current concentrations; may cause skin irritation at high concentrations.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Aluminum Chlorohydrate
Permitted at current antiperspirant use concentrations. Assessed as safe as used. Some consumer concern exists regarding long-term topical exposure, though current scientific evidence does not support a causal link to adverse health effects.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Caution
Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly
Permitted in stick antiperspirant formulations at current use concentrations. Not considered safe for aerosol inhalation use.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Disclaimer: This reference is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or regulatory advice. Ingredient safety assessments are based on publicly available data from Health Canada and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) as of 2026. Regulations and safety assessments may change. Always consult the official Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist for current regulatory requirements.

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