What Chemscape Users Need to Know About the Government of Canada’s Updated Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

Chemscape has recently added a new regulatory list called the Government of Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, an important tool for chemists, formulators, and regulatory professionals creating or importing cosmetic products in the Canadian marketplace.

What Is the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist?

The Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist is an administrative list published by Health Canada that identifies substances that are either prohibited or restricted from use in cosmetic products sold in Canada. It serves as a reference guide to help manufacturers and importers determine which ingredients may pose safety concerns, based on scientific data, and therefore may not comply with the Food and Drugs Act and Cosmetic Regulations.

This Hotlist communicates how existing safety and regulatory requirements are applied to specific substances. Products containing prohibited ingredients should not be on the market; restricted substances are permitted only under defined usage conditions (e.g., concentration limits, labeling requirements).

Why the Hotlist Matters to Industry

For scientists, cosmetic formulators, and regulatory teams, the Hotlist is a key resource because:

• It helps companies design compliant formulations before market entry.
• It highlights where cautionary labeling or stricter concentration limits are necessary.
• It encourages proactive safety assessments, not reactive adjustments.
• Understanding which ingredients pose potential risks — and the conditions under which certain ingredients may be used — ensures safer products reach Canadian consumers and protects brands from regulatory action.

Recent Additions to the Hotlist (2025)

Health Canada recently updated the Hotlist to include a number of new entries, reflecting evolving scientific knowledge and risk assessments under the Chemicals Management Plan. Notable additions include:

• Retinal — Now categorized as restricted due to its therapeutic properties and potential for skin irritation at higher concentrations.
• Thioglycolic Acid Esters — Added to the prohibited ingredient list due to the risk of skin sensitization, with no safe limit determined.

These changes underscore the importance of periodic Hotlist reviews — and why formulators should regularly check for updates.

Best Practices for Compliance

To ensure full compliance with Canadian cosmetics law, Chemscape recommends that manufacturers and their regulatory teams:

• Review the latest Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist before formulation development.
• Confirm the ingredient names and CAS numbers of all raw materials align with the Hotlist entries.
• If a substance is restricted, ensure labeling, concentration, and usage conditions are strictly met.
• Keep thorough documentation in case Health Canada requests evidence of safety or labeling compliance.
• Monitor science and regulatory alerts from international bodies, like the European Union or U.S. counterparts, as part of ongoing ingredient safety monitoring.

A Must-Use Resource for Cosmetic Professionals

The Government of Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist is more than a regulatory checklist. It’s a science-based compliance tool that supports the safety of the Canadian cosmetics market, helping industry innovators stay informed and products safe for consumers. By integrating Hotlist monitoring into your regulatory workflows, your team can stay ahead of changes and protect both your brand and your customers.

The regulatory list is now availablefor customers of Chemscape. To learn more about the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist visit the Government of Canada website.