Health Canada
Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Ingredients that are restricted or prohibited in cosmetics sold in Canada. Always verify against the official Health Canada hotlist for the most current information.
Restricted Ingredients (16)
Permitted under specific conditions — concentration limits, product type restrictions, or mandatory warnings.
| Ingredient | Max % | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Avobenzone Avobenzone | 3% | Max 3% in sunscreen products |
| Benzoyl Peroxide Benzoyl Peroxide | 5% | Max 5% in cosmetic use (higher = drug) |
| DMDM Hydantoin DMDM Hydantoin | 0.6% | As formaldehyde releaser. Max 0.2% free formaldehyde equivalent. |
| AHA Glycolic Acid | 10% | Max 10% in cosmetic products. Sun exposure warnings required. |
| Homosalate Homosalate | 15% | Max 15% in sunscreen products |
| Lactic Acid Lactic Acid | 10% | As AHA, max 10% in cosmetic products. Sun exposure warnings required. |
| MIT Methylisothiazolinone | 0% | Prohibited in leave-on cosmetics. Max 0.0015% in rinse-off products only. |
| Methylparaben Methylparaben | 0.4% | Max 0.4% individually or 0.8% total parabens. Not for use in leave-on products for diaper area of children under 3. |
| Octyl Methoxycinnamate Octinoxate | 7.5% | Max 7.5% in sunscreen products |
| Octocrylene Octocrylene | 10% | Max 10% in sunscreen products |
| Benzophenone-3 Oxybenzone | 6% | Max 6% in sunscreen products |
| Propylparaben Propylparaben | 0.14% | Max 0.14% individually. Not for leave-on products for diaper area of children under 3. |
| BHA Salicylic Acid | 2% | Max 2% in cosmetic products. Required warning statements. |
| Sodium Fluoride Sodium Fluoride | 0.25% | Max 0.254% as fluoride ion (1500 ppm). Oral care only. |
| MFP Sodium Monofluorophosphate | 0.76% | Max 0.254% as fluoride ion. Oral care only. |
| TEA Triethanolamine | 5% | Max 5%. Must not be used with nitrosating agents. |