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New Cosmetic Ingredients Hotlist in Canada: Controls and Prohibited Substances
- Daniel Jiménez
- May 23
- 3 min read
Ottawa, May 19, 2025. Health Canada has released a Notice to Stakeholders outlining the changes it intends to make to its Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist , the administrative list that indicates which substances are prohibited or restricted in cosmetic products sold in the country. The notice comes three months before the official draft goes out for public comment and offers manufacturers and distributors the opportunity to review their formulas in advance.
Table of contents
What is the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist?
The Hotlist isn't a regulation in itself, but it acts as a warning sign: if a substance is listed on it, the sale of the cosmetic could violate Canada's Food and Drugs Act or the Cosmetic Regulations . The last update was published in February 2025; the ongoing review is in response to "evolving scientific evidence" and data from market notifications received since then.
New proposed additions
Health Canada is proposing to add three ingredients to the restricted list due to their carcinogenic potential or sensitization risks:
Substance | Reason for inclusion | Proposed restriction |
Basic Violet 4 | Increased exposure reported in the market | Concentration limits according to product type |
Basic Blue 7 | Carcinogenic risk similar to the previous one | Concentration limits according to product type |
Polyaminopropyl Biguanide (PHMB) | Lung risk from inhalation and skin sensitization | Prohibited in aerosols; maximum concentrations in topical applications |
Changes to ingredients already listed
Among the reviews are:
Symphytum spp. (comfrey) – The exception for S. officinale is eliminated after hepatotoxic alkaloids were detected.
Brucine and its salts – Moved from restricted to completely banned due to acute toxicity and neurotoxicity.
Imperatorin – Eliminates its specific entry and is now controlled under the furocoumarin category.
Furocoumarins – These will be banned as added ingredients; only natural traces will be permitted, and the limit will apply to all leave-on products, not just tanning lotions.
Other corrections and substances “on the radar”
The agency will also adjust synonyms, CAS numbers, and errata, and identifies eleven chemical groups—including parabens, salicylates, and certain terpenes—that remain under review by the Chemicals Management Plan and could lead to future restrictions.
Next steps
May–August 2025 : Companies should analyze the impact and prepare adjustments.
August 2025 : Publication of the official draft and opening of a 60-day public consultation .
Following the consultation, Health Canada will respond to the comments and publish the final Hotlist on its website.
Throughout the process, the agency reminds us that it can intervene immediately if it receives data indicating a serious health risk.
What should manufacturers do?
Review formulas and safety data sheets to detect the substances mentioned.
Evaluate the supply chain and plan alternatives that meet the new limits.
Subscribe to Health Canada's cosmetics mailing list to receive alerts and participate in the consultation.
"Those who market cosmetics in Canada should not wait for the final update: if there is a potential for harm, sales should cease immediately," Health Canada warns in its advisory. Government of Canada
With these proposals, Canada strengthens its cosmetic safety framework and aligns itself with the international trend of limiting potentially hazardous compounds, encouraging the industry to innovate in safer and more transparent formulations.
