Functional Category 0 ingredients

Active Cosmetic Ingredients

"Active" in cosmetic terminology is not a formal regulatory classification but a marketing term for ingredients with documented biological or efficacy-related effects. The category overlaps with antioxidants, exfoliants, signalling molecules, and hydrators. Commonly used cosmetic actives include retinoids (retinol, retinal, retinyl palmitate), alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic), beta-hydroxy acids (salicylic acid), niacinamide, peptides, ceramides, panthenol, and azelaic acid. Several cosmetic actives have been subject to recent EU Annex III restrictions based on SCCS opinions — retinol and its derivatives were re-evaluated and now carry concentration caps in face and body applications. This hub lists active ingredients with their NOAEL values where available, SCCS opinions, and cross-jurisdictional regulatory status.

Functional Categories
Skin Conditioning Ingredients Humectants in Cosmetics Emollient Ingredients in Cosmetics Antioxidants in Cosmetics Surfactants in Cosmetics Emulsifiers in Cosmetics Fragrance Ingredients in Cosmetics Cosmetic Colorants Cosmetic Preservatives UV Filters & Sunscreen Ingredients Hair Conditioning Ingredients Rheology Modifiers & Thickeners Active Cosmetic Ingredients Plant Extracts & Botanical Ingredients
Regulatory Clusters
Cosmetic Ingredients Flagged as Endocrine Disruptors Cosmetic Ingredients Listed Under California Proposition 65 Cosmetic Ingredients with SCCS Safety Opinions Cosmetic Ingredients with CIR Expert Panel Conclusions Cosmetic Ingredients with GHS Hazard Classification Cosmetic Ingredients with NOAEL Toxicological Data Cosmetic Ingredients Banned or Restricted Globally Cosmetic Ingredients with Sensitization Data Cosmetic Ingredients with Dermal Absorption Data Cosmetic Ingredients Restricted Under EU Regulation 1223/2009
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No ingredients currently indexed in this category. Data is added continuously as new SCCS opinions and regulatory updates are processed.

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