Serums, moisturisers, sunscreens, cleansers & treatments
The global skincare market exceeds $180B, driven by the convergence of dermatology science and beauty culture. Skincare is regulated as cosmetics in most markets — but actives like retinoids, AHAs, and SPF products often trigger drug or quasi-drug classification, requiring a higher tier of approval.
Regulatory Overview
Skincare is regulated under cosmetics law in most markets (EU, UK, AU, CA, KR, SG) but sunscreens and products with therapeutic claims are regulated as drugs/medicines in the US, Japan, and partially Australia. INCI ingredient naming is globally required. Prohibited ingredient lists differ significantly by market — what's legal in the US may be banned in the EU.
Label Format
Cosmetic INCI ingredient listing + mandatory warnings
Amazon Category
Beauty & Personal Care > Skin Care
Key Label Requirements
6 items
The categories our research identifies as highest opportunity across global markets.
Vitamin C Serum (L-ascorbic acid)
Retinol / Retinaldehyde Serum
Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser
SPF 50+ Sunscreen
Niacinamide Serum
AHA/BHA Exfoliant
Peptide Eye Cream
Squalane Face Oil
Tranexamic Acid Brightener
Ceramide Barrier Cream
Skincare is regulated differently in every market. Here's what changes.
FDA — most skincare = cosmetics (no pre-market approval). However: sunscreens are OTC drugs requiring NDA/ANDA or monograph compliance. Retinoids above certain concentrations may trigger drug classification. MoCRA (2022) introduced new safety reporting requirements.
UK Cosmetics Regulation (retained from EU). SCPN (UK Cosmetic Products Notification Portal) before sale. UK Responsible Person required. EU-banned ingredients also banned in UK. Safety assessment by qualified safety assessor mandatory.
EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009. CPNP notification mandatory before sale. EU Responsible Person required. 1,328 prohibited substances. Safety Assessment Report required. Nanomaterials require specific notification.
ACCC cosmetics regulations — no pre-market registration for cosmetics. However sunscreens are TGA Listed Medicines (AUST L required). INCI listing required. No therapeutic claims without TGA registration.
Cosmetics Regulations (SOR/2006-120). 72-hour pre-sale notification to Health Canada required. Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist (prohibited ingredients). French + English labels. No therapeutic claims.
EU Cosmetics Regulation applies. CPNP notification required. German language labels mandatory. INCI names required. BfR (Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) scientific guidance followed.
Gulf Standards Organisation (GSO) 1943. ESMA conformity mark. Arabic + English required. Alcohol-containing products require special approval. Halal cosmetics increasingly demanded by retailers.
Pharmaceutical and Medical Device (PMD) Act. Quasi-drug category for actives (whitening, hair growth, UV protection) — requires MHLW approval (12-24 months). Standard cosmetics = notification only. Japanese INCI equivalents required.
HSA Cosmetic Products notification mandatory before sale. Products listed on HSA Health Products Register. Prohibited ingredient list (similar to EU). 'Cosmetic' must not make therapeutic claims.
Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940 + BIS standards. Import licence required (Form 43). INCI ingredient listing. No therapeutic claims. ISI mark required for certain categories (baby products, sunscreens).
ANVISA Group I (notification) or Group II (registration). Sunscreens and anti-ageing actives above limits = Group II registration (18-24 months). INCI listing in Portuguese. Responsible Technical Representative (RT) required.
MFDS Cosmetics Act. Standard cosmetics = report before manufacturing/import. Functional cosmetics (whitening, UV protection, anti-wrinkle) require separate approval. Korean INCI naming system used.
NMPA Cosmetics Regulation (2021). General cosmetics = filing (备案); special-purpose cosmetics (sunscreen, whitening, hair dye, anti-hair loss, anti-acne) = registration (注册, 6-12 months). Mandatory animal testing removed for imported general cosmetics (2021 reform). Chinese INCI naming. Responsible Person in China required.
NPRA Cosmetics Control Division — cosmetics must be notified to NPRA (free, online process) before first sale. Products on ASEAN Cosmetics Directive (ACD) framework. Halal cosmetics not legally required but commercially essential. Prohibited ingredient list (close to EU). INCI names required.
SFDA Cosmetics Regulations. Cosmetics must be registered on SFDA Unified National Platform before sale. GSO 1943 standards apply. Arabic + English labels. No alcohol in leave-on products. Halal cosmetics certification strongly preferred. Prohibited ingredient list close to EU.
Thai FDA Cosmetics Act. Cosmetics = notification before import/sale (online e-Notification system). Controlled cosmetics (certain actives) require additional approval. Thai language mandatory on label. INCI names required. Prohibited substances list.
BPOM National Agency — cosmetics require BPOM notification (NA number) before sale. Online notification system (e-registration). Indonesian language mandatory. Prohibited ingredient list. Halal cosmetics increasingly expected by consumers.
COFEPRIS — cosmetics are low-risk sanitary products requiring only 'aviso de funcionamiento'. Spanish mandatory. NOM-141-SSA1-2012 for cosmetics labelling. INCI names required. No therapeutic claims. Country of origin mandatory.
EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. CPNP notification mandatory before sale. French Responsible Person required. INCI listing. 1,300+ prohibited substances (EU list). Safety Assessment by qualified assessor mandatory. Animal testing banned. French language on label.
EU Cosmetics Regulation. CPNP notification required. Italian Responsible Person preferred. INCI names. Safety Assessment mandatory. Animal testing banned. Italian language mandatory on consumer labels. Nanomaterials require specific notification.
EU Cosmetics Regulation. CPNP notification required. Spanish Responsible Person or EU RP with Spanish address. Spanish mandatory on labels. INCI names. 1,300+ banned substances. Safety Assessment required. Animal testing banned.
EU Cosmetics Regulation. CPNP notification mandatory. Dutch/English labels acceptable. EU Responsible Person required. INCI listing. Safety Assessment. Strict enforcement of prohibited substances by NVWA. Animal testing banned.
EU Cosmetics Regulation. CPNP notification required. Polish language mandatory on consumer labels. EU Responsible Person or Polish RP. INCI names required. Safety Assessment. Strict enforcement by GIS. Animal testing banned.
Turkish Cosmetics Regulation (aligned with EU). TITCK cosmetic product notification required. Turkish language mandatory. INCI names. Prohibited substances list (close to EU). Turkish Responsible Person or local representative required. Animal testing phaseout ongoing.
The key retail channels for skincare in each market.
Quantified demand, competition, and growth data for Skincare in your chosen market.
Full Skincare label review against Cosmetic INCI ingredient listing + mandatory warnings requirements and market-specific rules.
40+ qualified Skincare buyer contacts in your target market.
Upload any Skincare label for instant compliance checking across any of the 24 markets.
ASIN analysis and 90-day launch plan in the Beauty & Personal Care > Skin Care category.
Skincare-specific email templates for approaching retailers and distributors.
Formulation and positioning breakdown of top local Skincare competitors.
Step-by-step registration/notification guidance specific to Skincare in your market.
Complete launch sequence from regulatory submission to first sale.
Click a market to see Skincare-specific regulatory details and opportunity data.
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