Japan cosmetic ingredient regulations
The Standards for Cosmetics include prohibited and restricted ingredient appendices.
- Regulator
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Source language
- Japanese; official English translation available
- Coverage version
- MHLW Standards for Cosmetics official English source and Japanese amendments checked for the imported snapshot
Official ingredient records
87 matching recordsMethyl-2, 5-diisopropylcinnamate
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Methyl-2, 5-diisopropylcinnamate
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 10 10
Source:Appendix 4 section 2, entry 3 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Methylbis(trimethylsiloxy)silyl isopentyl trimethoxycinnamonate
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Methylbis(trimethylsiloxy)silyl isopentyl trimethoxycinnamonate
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 7.5 7.5 2.5
Source:Appendix 4 section 2, entry 15 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Methylchloro isothiazolinone and methyl isothiazolinone solution(*3)
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Methylchloro isothiazolinone and methyl isothiazolinone solution(*3)
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 0.10
Source:Appendix 3 section 2, entry 29 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
N,N”-Methylenebis[N’-(3-hydroxymethyl-2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)urea]
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: N,N”-Methylenebis[N’-(3-hydroxymethyl-2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)urea]
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 0.30
Source:Appendix 3 section 2, entry 30 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Octyl salicylate
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Octyl salicylate
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 10 10 5.0
Source:Appendix 4 section 2, entry 2 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Pantothenyl ethylether benzoate
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Pantothenyl ethylether benzoate
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): ○ 0.30 0.30
Source:Appendix 3 section 2, entry 2 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Phenol
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Phenol
CAS 108-95-2 · EC 203-632-7
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Maximum amount per 100 g: 0.10
Source:Appendix 3 section 1, entry 14 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Phenoxyethanol
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Phenoxyethanol
CAS 122-99-6 · EC 204-589-7
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Maximum amount per 100 g: 1.0
Source:Appendix 3 section 1, entry 13 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Phenyl salicylate
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Phenyl salicylate
CAS 118-55-8 · EC 204-259-2
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Maximum amount per 100 g: 1.0 g
Source:Appendix 2 section 1, entry 3 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid
CAS 27503-81-7 · EC 248-502-0
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 3.0 3.0
Source:Appendix 4 section 2, entry 24 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Photosensitizing dyes
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Photosensitizing dyes
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Maximum amount per 100 g: 0.0020 as total
Source:Appendix 3 section 1, entry 4 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Piroctone olamine
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Piroctone olamine
CAS 68890-66-4 · EC 272-574-2
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 0.05 0.05
Source:Appendix 3 section 2, entry 25 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Polyaminopropyl biguanide
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Polyaminopropyl biguanide
CAS 32289-58-0 [1]/27083-27-8 [2]/28757-47-3 [3]/ 133029-32-0 [4] · EC 608-723-9 [1]/608-042-7 [2]/923-111-4 [3]/- [4]
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 0.1 0.1 0.1
Source:Appendix 3 section 2, entry 27 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Polyoxyethylene laurylether (8-10E.O.)
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Polyoxyethylene laurylether (8-10E.O.)
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Maximum amount per 100 g: 2.0 g
Source:Appendix 2 section 1, entry 4 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Resorcin
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Resorcin
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Maximum amount per 100 g: 0.10
Source:Appendix 3 section 1, entry 16 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Salicylate
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Salicylate
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Maximum amount per 100 g: 1.0 as total
Source:Appendix 3 section 1, entry 8 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Salicylic acid
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Salicylic acid
CAS 69-72-7 · EC 200-712-3
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Maximum amount per 100 g: 0.20
Source:Appendix 3 section 1, entry 7 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Silver-Copper Zeolite(*5)
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Silver-Copper Zeolite(*5)
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 0.5 0.5
Source:Appendix 3 section 2, entry 10 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Sodium dihydroxydimethoxybenzophenone disulfonate
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Sodium dihydroxydimethoxybenzophenone disulfonate
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 10 10
Source:Appendix 4 section 2, entry 7 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Sodium lauryldiaminoethylglycine
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Sodium lauryldiaminoethylglycine
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Maximum amount per 100 g: 0.030
Source:Appendix 3 section 1, entry 15 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Sodium o-phenylphenate
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Sodium o-phenylphenate
CAS 132-27-4 · EC 205-055-6
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 0.15 0.15
Source:Appendix 3 section 2, entry 9 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Sorbic acid and sorbate
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Sorbic acid and sorbate
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Maximum amount per 100 g: 0.50 as total
Source:Appendix 3 section 1, entry 9 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid
CAS 92761-26-7 / 90457-82-2 · EC 410-960-6
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 10 10
Source:Appendix 4 section 2, entry 13 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Tetrahydroxybenzophenone
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Tetrahydroxybenzophenone
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 10 10 0.050
Source:Appendix 4 section 2, entry 12 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Thianthol
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Thianthol
CAS 135-58-0 · EC 205-202-4
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 0.80 0.80
Source:Appendix 3 section 2, entry 19 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Thioctic acid
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Thioctic acid
CAS 1077-28-7 · EC 214-071-2
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 0.01 0.01
Source:Appendix 2 section 3, entry 2 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Thymol 0.050 0.050 ○(*2) Trichlorocarbanilide
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Thymol 0.050 0.050 ○(*2) Trichlorocarbanilide
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): ○ 0.30 0.30
Source:Appendix 3 section 2, entry 20 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Trichlorohydroxydiphenylether (Triclosan)
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Trichlorohydroxydiphenylether (Triclosan)
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Maximum amount per 100 g: 0.10
Source:Appendix 3 section 1, entry 11 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
CAS 31274-51-8
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Maximum amount per 100 g: 10.0
Source:Appendix 4 section 1, entry 4 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Ubidecarenone
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Ubidecarenone
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 0.03 0.03
Source:Appendix 2 section 3, entry 3 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Zinc pyrithione
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Zinc pyrithione
CAS 13463-41-7 · EC 236-671-3
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 0.10 0.010 0.010
Source:Appendix 3 section 2, entry 24 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Zinc, ammonia and silver substituted zeolite(*4)
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Zinc, ammonia and silver substituted zeolite(*4)
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 1.0 1.0
Source:Appendix 3 section 2, entry 1 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
o-Phenyl phenol
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: o-Phenyl phenol
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): ○ 0.30 0.30
Source:Appendix 3 section 2, entry 8 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
p-Aminobenzoic acid and its esters
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: p-Aminobenzoic acid and its esters
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Maximum amount per 100 g: 4.0 as total
Source:Appendix 4 section 1, entry 5 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
p-Chlorphenol
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: p-Chlorphenol
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 0.25 0.25
Source:Appendix 3 section 2, entry 21 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
p-Dimethylaminostyryl heptyl methyl thiazolium iodide
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: p-Dimethylaminostyryl heptyl methyl thiazolium iodide
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 0.0015 0.0015
Source:Appendix 3 section 2, entry 31 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
p-Oxybenzoic acid esters and their sodium salts
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: p-Oxybenzoic acid esters and their sodium salts
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Conditions: Maximum amount per 100 g: 1.0 as total
Source:Appendix 3 section 1, entry 12 · version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30 · source checked 2026-08-30
Market coverage contract
Complete Standards appendices dataset- Included scope
- Prohibited ingredients, restricted ingredients and permitted preservative/UV/colourant appendices present in the official standard source.
- If no match is found
- The Japanese text and subsequent notices are canonical; no local match is not a product-compliance conclusion.
Complete verification checklist
- Search Japanese/English identity and CAS where present.
- Apply category and maximum-amount conditions.
- Check later MHLW notices against the Japanese source.
- Verify marketing licence, notification, labelling and quasi-drug classification.
Official sources and legal role
Japan MHLW Standards for Cosmetics
Prohibited and restricted ingredient appendices with concentration and use conditions
Legal meaning: Official MHLW standard; validate later Japanese updates before presenting current status
Available language: English translation; Japanese source remains canonical
What this market page can answer
Source and authority
Identify the official material and the regulator responsible for it: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Language and scope
See whether usable English or bilingual material exists and what the mapped source actually covers. Current source language: Japanese; official English translation available.
Evidence status
Browse ingredient-level records imported from official sources. Each row states whether it passed deterministic source checks or human editorial review.
How to verify an ingredient for this market
- Search the ingredient by INCI name, CAS number or EC number and record the exact identity.
- Open each official source above and check the current version, product scope, concentration limits and required warnings.
- Confirm effective dates and whether an English text is official, reviewed or only contextual.
- Treat a missing local match as unknown, never as permission or a safety conclusion.