Cosmetic ingredient
regulatory status

Restricted in the EU under SCCS/1576/16; not federally restricted in the US.

Permitted globally; popular at 5-10% in skincare without major restrictions.

Banned in EU cosmetics under Annex II. OTC at 2% permitted in the US.

Regulated as an OTC drug in the US at 2.5-10%; subject to EU Annex III restrictions.

Permitted globally in cosmetics; high foam, can be irritating at high concentrations.

Permitted globally; 1,4-dioxane contamination must be controlled in manufacturing.

DBP and DEHP banned in EU cosmetics; DEP still permitted with restrictions.

Permitted globally as a cosmetic up to 10%; higher concentrations are drugs.

Permitted globally for brightening; SCCS reaffirmed safety at 1% in face/hand products.

Permitted globally as a hydroquinone alternative; EU restricts to specific limits.

Permitted globally; positioned as a plant-derived retinol alternative.

Methyl/ethylparaben permitted globally with limits. Propyl/butyl banned in EU since 2014.

EU restricted to 0.0015% rinse-off only since 2017; major contact-allergen concern.

Permitted globally at up to 1% in most cosmetic markets.

Banned as a cosmetic ingredient in the EU; FDA has proposed banning in hair straighteners.

Formaldehyde-releasing preservative; permitted with limits but increasingly avoided.

FDA banned in US OTC antibacterial soaps (2016); EU restricts to specific products.

Permitted as a UV filter and colorant globally; EU restricts nanomaterial form.

Permitted globally as UV filter; banned in Hawaii and Key West reef-protection zones.

EU restricts to 6%; banned in Hawaii and Key West; FDA reviewing systemic absorption.

Primary UVA filter in chemical sunscreens; permitted at up to 3% (US) / 5% (EU).

Mineral UV filter permitted globally; EU restricts nano form to specific applications.

EU permits up to 2% in rinse-off and 0.5% leave-on; US allows 2% OTC for acne.

Permitted globally; EU sets specific limits for high-concentration AHA leave-on products.

Permitted globally with no concentration restrictions.

Permitted globally without restriction; the gold-standard topical antioxidant.

Permitted globally if asbestos-free; ongoing litigation over historical contamination.