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KRKorean with some English namesOfficial records available

South Korea cosmetic ingredient regulations

The Korean source remains canonical; English-only material is incomplete.

Regulator
Ministry of Food and Drug Safety
Source language
Korean with some English names
Coverage version
MFDS Notice 2026-19, effective 18 March 2026

What this list is

South Korea's cosmetic ingredient rules are published by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korean. The English material that circulates is partial, and the gaps are not marked.

  • 1,320 Korean records: 1,077 prohibited, 243 restricted.
  • The regulator is the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, under the Cosmetics Act.
  • The Korean text is canonical; English versions are incomplete rather than merely later.
  • Functional cosmetics — sunscreen, whitening, anti-wrinkle and others — carry a separate reporting or approval route.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety maintains the prohibited and restricted ingredient lists under the Cosmetics Act, and publishes them in Korean. This matters more than the usual caution about translations. The English material in circulation is not a delayed version of the Korean; it is a subset, and nothing in it indicates which entries were left out.

The second thing to know is that Korea separates ordinary cosmetics from functional cosmetics. A product claiming sun protection, skin whitening, anti-wrinkle action, hair loss relief and several other functions falls into the functional category, which carries its own reporting or approval requirement and its own constraints on ingredients and concentrations. A formula that is unremarkable as a cosmetic can move into that category on the strength of a single claim.

The 1,320 records here come from the Korean source. Where a substance has no Korean record, that is the absence of an entry we could resolve, not a finding about the substance.

Checked against

Official ingredient records

243 matching records
RestrictedBinding ruleNo English translationOfficial-source import checked

에티드로닉애씨드 및그 염류(1-하이드록시에칠리덴-디-포스포닉애씨드 및 그 염류)

CAS 2809-21-4; 3794-83-0; 14860-53-8 · EC 220-552-8

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: ?두발용 제품류 및 두발염색용 제품류에 산으로서 1.5% ?인체 세정용 제품류에 산으로서 0.2% · 기타 제품에는 사용금지 · 에티드로닉애씨드테트라소듐에티드로네이트테트라포타슘에티드로네이트

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-373 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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RestrictedBinding ruleNo English translationOfficial-source import checked

염기성등색31호(Basic Orange31)

CAS 97404-02-9 · EC 306-764-4

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: 산화염모제에 0.5% · 그 외 사용기준은 「화장품의 색소종류와 기준 및 시험방법」에 따름

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-209 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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RestrictedBinding ruleNo English translationOfficial-source import checked

염기성적색51호(Basic Red 51)

CAS 77061-58-6 · EC 278-601-4

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: 산화염모제에 0.5% · 그 외 사용기준은 「화장품의 색소종류와 기준 및 시험방법」에 따름

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-210 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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RestrictedBinding ruleNo English translationOfficial-source import checked

염기성황색87호(Basic Yellow87)

CAS 68259-00-7 · EC 269-503-2

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: 산화염모제에 1.0% · 그 외 사용기준은 「화장품의 색소종류와 기준 및 시험방법」에 따름

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-211 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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염산 히드록시프로필비스(N-히드록시에칠-p-페닐렌디아민)

CAS 128729-28-2 · EC 416-320-2

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: 산화염모제에 0.4% · 기타 제품에는 사용금지

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-184 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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옥살릭애씨드, 그 에스텔류 및 알칼리 염류

CAS 144-62-7; 95-92-1 · EC 205-634-3

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: 두발용제품류 에 5% · 기타 제품에는 사용금지 · 옥살릭애씨드디에틸옥살레이트

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-376 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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운데실레닉애씨드및 그 염류 및 모노에탄올아마이드

CAS 112-38-9; 1333-28-4; 3398-33-2 · EC 203-965-8

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: 사용 후 씻어내는 제품에 산으로서 0.2% · 기타 제품에는 사용금지 · 운데실레닉애씨드소듐운데실레네이트

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-83 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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RestrictedBinding ruleNo English translationOfficial-source import checked

이미다졸리디닐우레아(3,3'-비스(1-하이드록시메칠-2,5-디옥소이미다졸리딘-4-일)-1,1'메칠렌디우레아)

CAS 39236-46-9 · EC 254-372-6

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: 0.6%

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-88 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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치오글라이콜릭애씨드,그 염류 및 에스텔류

CAS 68-11-1; 5421-46-5; 126-97-6; 814-71-1; 367-51-1; 34452-51-2; 38337-95-0; 65208-41-5; 29820-13-1; 63592-16-5; 2368928-49-6 · EC 200-677-4

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: ?퍼머넌트웨 이브용 및 헤어스트레 이트너 제품에 치오글라이 콜릭애씨드 로서 11% (다만, 가온2욕식 헤어스트레 이트너 제품의 경우에는 치오글라이콜 릭애씨드로서 5%, 치오글라이 콜릭애씨드 및 그 염류를 주성분으로 하고 제1제 사용 시 조제하는 발열 2욕식 퍼머넌트웨이 브용 제품의 경우 치오글라이 콜릭애씨드 로서 19%에 해당하는 양) ?제모용 제품에 치오글라이 콜릭애씨드 로서 5% ?염모제에 치오글라이 콜릭애씨드 로서 1% ?사용 후 씻어내는 두발용 제품류에 2% · 기타 제품에는 사용금지 · 치오글라이콜릭애씨드암모늄티오글라이콜레이트에탄올아민티오글라이콜레이트칼슘티오글라이콜레이트소듐티오글라이콜레이트포타슘티오글라이콜레이트스트론튬티오글라이콜레이트칼슘티오글라이콜레이트하이드록사이드마그네슘티오글라이콜레이트시스테아민티오글라이콜레이트

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-390 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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칼슘하이드록사이드

CAS 1305-62-0 · EC 215-137-3

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: ?헤어스트레 이트너 제품에 7% ?제모제에서 pH조정 목적으로 사용되는 경우 최종 제품의 pH는 12.7이하 · 기타 제품에는 사용금지

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-391 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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퀴닌 및 그 염류

CAS 130-95-0 · EC 205-003-2

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: ?샴푸에 퀴닌염으로서 0.5% ?헤어로션에 퀴닌염로서 0.2% · 기타 제품에는 사용금지 · 퀴닌

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-394 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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RestrictedBinding ruleNo English translationOfficial-source import checked

클로헥시딘, 그 디글루코네이트, 디아세테이트 및 디하이드로클로라이드

CAS 55-56-1; 18472-51-0; 56-95-1 · EC 200-238-7

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: ?점막에 사용하지 않고 씻어내는 제품에 클로헥시딘으로 서 0.1%, ?기타 제품에 클로헥시딘으로서 0.05% · 클로헥시딘클로헥시딘디글루코네이트클로헥시딘디아세테이트

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-97 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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클림바졸[1-(4-클로로페녹시)-1-(1H-이미다졸릴)-3, 3-디메칠-2-부타논]

CAS 38083-17-9 · EC 253-775-4

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: 두발용 제품에 0.5% · 기타 제품에는 사용금지

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-99 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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RestrictedBinding ruleNo English translationOfficial-source import checked

테레프탈릴리덴디캠퍼설포닉애씨드 및 그 염류

CAS 92761-26-7; 90457-82-2

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: 산으로서 10% · 테레프탈릴리덴디캠퍼설포닉애씨드

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-166 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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트리스-바이페닐 트라이아진

CAS 31274-51-8

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: 10% · ?에어로졸 (펌프스프 레이 포함) 제품에는 사용금지 ?나노입자의 경우 코팅되지 않은 입자로 입도 중앙값은 80nm를 초과하고 순도가 98% 이상일 것

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-167 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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RestrictedBinding ruleNo English translationOfficial-source import checked

트리클로산

CAS 3380-34-5 · EC 222-182-2

Listed by the Korean MFDS as a cosmetic ingredient requiring conditions of use.

Conditions: 사용 후 씻어내는 인체세정용 제품류, 데오도런트(스프 레이 제품 제외), 페이스파우더, 피부결점을 감추기 위해 국소적으로 사용하는 파운데이션(예: 블레미쉬컨실러) 에 0.3% · 기타 제품에는 사용금지

Source:화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, 별표 2, record 2-101 · version 2026-19 · effective March 18, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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Market coverage contract

Complete current appendix dataset
Included scope
All rows in official Appendix 1 (prohibited) and Appendix 2 (restricted) of the Safety Standards for Cosmetics.
If no match is found
Korean source wording is canonical and other positive lists/notices may still apply to the formulation.

Complete verification checklist

  1. Match the Korean canonical substance name and identifiers.
  2. Review all Appendix 1 and 2 matches and conditions.
  3. Check functional-cosmetic and positive-list requirements where applicable.
  4. Confirm current MFDS notice, responsible seller and label obligations.

How South Korea differs from other markets

Comparing this market's imported rules against every other market's for the same substance. A market with no imported rule for a substance is left out of that comparison rather than treated as permitting it.

161 substances where South Korea is stricter than some markets

A formula cleared elsewhere can fail here.

Boric AcidDiethylene GlycolPhenolCatalaseDichloromethaneDihydrocoumarinMethyl AlcoholOxyquinolineThiramZirconium Powder1-NAPHTHOLBenzoyl PeroxideFormaldehydeHydroquinoneP-HYDROXYANISOLE1,5-NAPHTHALENEDIOL2,7-NAPHTHALENEDIOL2-AMINO-6-CHLORO-4-NITROPHENOL2-METHYLRESORCINOL3-NITRO-P-HYDROXYETHYLAMINOPHENOL4-AMINO-2-HYDROXYTOLUENE4-AMINO-3-NITROPHENOL4-AMINO-M-CRESOLButoxyethanolDichloropheneM-AMINOPHENOLMethyl EugenolMethylene GlycolNitromethaneP-PHENYLENEDIAMINEPhenyl Methyl PyrazoloneSilver NitrateTalcTOLUENE-2,5-DIAMINE1,3-BIS-(2,4-DIAMINOPHENOXY)PROPANE1-HYDROXYETHYL 4,5-DIAMINO Pyrazole Sulfate2,6-DIAMINOPYRIDINE2,6-DIHYDROXY-3,4-DIMETHYLPYRIDINE2,6-DIHYDROXYETHYLAMINOTOLUENE2-AMINO-3-HYDROXYPYRIDINE

and 121 more — see the full comparison

13 substances where South Korea is more permissive than some markets

Permitted here under conditions and prohibited, or more tightly held, elsewhere — so a formula built for this market may not travel.

Chloramine TChloropheneHydrogen PeroxideQUATERNIUM-15Sodium PerborateButylphenyl MethylpropionalSilver NitrateZinc PyrithioneMethenamine4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CamphorSodium BorateSodium HydroxymethylglycinateSodium Iodate

Official sources and legal role

South Korea MFDS cosmetic ingredient data

Ingredient identity and separate restriction/regulation data endpoints

Legal meaning: Korean source is canonical; English materials alone are not complete enough for certification

Available language: Korean with English names and CAS fields

What this market page can answer

Source and authority

Identify the official material and the regulator responsible for it: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

Language and scope

See whether usable English or bilingual material exists and what the mapped source actually covers. Current source language: Korean with some English names.

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

  1. Search the ingredient by INCI name, CAS number or EC number and record the exact identity.
  2. Open each official source above and check the current version, product scope, concentration limits and required warnings.
  3. Confirm effective dates and whether an English text is official, reviewed or only contextual.
  4. Treat a missing local match as unknown, never as permission or a safety conclusion.
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