CosIng Checker
CosIng Checker
EU cosmetic ingredients, restrictions and safety
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Ingredient function 12 ingredients

EXFOLIATING

Initiating and/or accelerating removal of the layers of dead skin cells from the skin surface.

12 ingredients in the EU CosIng inventory carry the EXFOLIATING function designation.

Browse annex entries for EXFOLIATINGAll functions

Ingredients with the EXFOLIATING function

CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF POWDER

98850

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder is a powder derived from the dried, ground leaves of Camellia sinensis.

CAS 84650-60-2 (generic)

FOSSILIFEROUS LIMESTONE POWDER

98185

Fossiliferous Limestone Powder is the powder obtained from finely, ground limestone which contains skeletal fragments of various marine org…

SALVIA OFFICINALIS LEAF POWDER

97284

Salvia Officinalis Leaf Powder is the powder obtained from the dried ground leaves of Salvia officinalis, Lamiaceae.

CAS 84082-79-1 (generic)

How the EXFOLIATING function is used in CosIng

The EXFOLIATING function is assigned by the European Commission in the CosIng ingredient inventory. This page currently lists 12 ingredients carrying that function label in the dataset, which helps you move from a functional claim to the exact ingredients that use it.

Initiating and/or accelerating removal of the layers of dead skin cells from the skin surface.

Function assignments come from official EU CosIng data. They describe intended cosmetic use, but they do not replace regulatory review of each linked ingredient and any annex records tied to it.

Frequently asked questions

The EXFOLIATING function, as defined in the EU CosIng database, describes the role this group of ingredients plays in a cosmetic formulation. There are currently 12 ingredients in the EU CosIng inventory assigned this function. Function labels are standardised terms used in Product Information Files (PIF) and ingredient declarations.

Yes. An ingredient's function in the CosIng inventory is independent of its regulatory status. An ingredient with the EXFOLIATING function may also be listed in Annex II (prohibited), Annex III (restricted), or other annexes. Always check each ingredient's annex records for applicable conditions before formulating.

Ingredient functions are documented in the Product Information File (PIF) as part of the cosmetic product safety assessment. They describe the intended role of each ingredient in the formulation and support the safety assessor's review. Functions do not appear on consumer-facing product labels, which list only INCI names.

Use the INCI Checker to paste your full ingredient list and screen it against all Annex II–VI restrictions, CMR classifications and allergen flags from the EU CosIng database.
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Tools & next steps

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Scan a full INCI list, then review which matched ingredients are tagged with the EXFOLIATING function.

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Browse all functions

See the full list of cosmetic ingredient function categories in the EU CosIng inventory.

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Search annex entries for EXFOLIATING

Search annex entries whose names or descriptions overlap with the EXFOLIATING function keyword.

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