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Data report

The same ingredient, regulated differently

How the US FDA, the EU's cosmetics regulation, and Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist treat the same ingredients — where they agree, where one is stricter, and where only one jurisdiction restricts it at all.

Last computed — every figure on this page is counted live from our decoded catalog, so it changes as coverage grows.

Not a safety verdict

Different regulators run on different evidence thresholds, risk-assessment traditions, and legal processes. An ingredient the US restricts and Canada prohibits outright — or vice versa — is a REGULATORY difference, not a finding that one country got the science right and the other wrong. Nothing on this page is a claim that an ingredient is unsafe.

We read three curated columns per ingredient: the US FDA's status (its prohibited/restricted list, plus the ordinary cosmetic/OTC-drug categorization we curate for popular actives), Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist status, and the EU's CosIng restrictions data decoded against Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. An ingredient only appears below when 2 or more of those three carry a curated status for it.

Coverage, per jurisdiction

How many of our 28,709 catalogued ingredients carry a curated status from each regulator — disclosed plainly, since coverage is NOT even across jurisdictions (see the caveat below on why an absent Canada/EU record is never evidence that regulator cleared the ingredient).

40

ingredients carry a curated United States status (FDA (21 CFR 700 Subpart B / 21 CFR 250.250))

1,704

ingredients carry a curated European Union status (EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (CosIng))

38

ingredients carry a curated Canada status (Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist)

33

ingredients we can compare across 2+ jurisdictions

20

regulated differently (stricter in one, or restricted in only one)

13

agree everywhere we can compare them

Quotable stats

Each line is self-contained and cites the source (us) — lift any one of them.

  • 61% of the 33 ingredients we can compare across 2+ jurisdictions are regulated differently — either more strictly in one, or restricted in only one (beautydew labs, 2026)

    Browse the ingredient dictionary →

  • 15 of the ingredients we compare are restricted or prohibited in one jurisdiction while another jurisdiction, also curated, does not restrict them at all (beautydew labs, 2026)

  • 5 of the ingredients we compare are restricted everywhere we track them, just to a different degree in one jurisdiction (beautydew labs, 2026)

Regulated differently

Ingredients where the jurisdictions we track do NOT agree — either one restricts more severely, or only one restricts it at all.

  • HydroquinoneRegulated in European Union & Canada only
    United States
    Not restrictedPrescription-only in the US since 2020 — OTC skin-lighteners with hydroquinone were withdrawn under the CARES Act.
    European Union
    ProhibitedAnnex II entry 1339 — prohibited substance — Sourced from a 2022 snapshot of the EU's CosIng database — the live CosIng site now requires API credentials we don't have (see pipeline/fetch-cosing.ts); annex numbering/content may have been amended since.read the regulation →
    Canada
    RestrictedRestricted in Canadian cosmetics to specific colourant uses only: 0.3% as an oxidizing agent in hair dyes, 0.1% in nail products, 0.1% in eyelash/eyebrow-extension adhesives (each with its own required warning label). Skin-lightening use of hydroquinone is regulated in Canada as a drug, not a cosmetic — this entry doesn't cover that use.read the regulation →
  • AHA exfoliantRegulated in Canada only
    United States
    Not restrictedA cosmetic AHA exfoliant. The FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic ingredients (it has issued guidance on AHA sun sensitivity).
    European Union
    Not curated
    Canada
    RestrictedRestricted in Canadian cosmetics under Health Canada's alpha-hydroxy-acid entry: 3–18% total mono-AHA equivalents at pH ≥ 3.5 for general consumer use (18–30%, or pH 3.0–3.5, for professional-use products); products meant to be diluted in bath water may exceed 10%. A sunscreen-use advisory is required on the label.read the regulation →
  • AHA exfoliant (gentle)Regulated in Canada only
    United States
    Not restrictedA cosmetic AHA. The FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic ingredients.
    European Union
    Not curated
    Canada
    RestrictedRestricted in Canadian cosmetics under Health Canada's alpha-hydroxy-acid entry: 3–18% total mono-AHA equivalents at pH ≥ 3.5 for general consumer use (18–30%, or pH 3.0–3.5, for professional-use products); products meant to be diluted in bath water may exceed 10%. A sunscreen-use advisory is required on the label.read the regulation →
  • Azelaic AcidRegulated in Canada only
    United States
    Not restrictedPrescription-strength in the US (15–20% for rosacea/acne, e.g. Finacea/Azelex). Lower concentrations appear in cosmetics.
    European Union
    Not curated
    Canada
    RestrictedRestricted in Canadian cosmetics to a maximum of 14% (listed as "azelaic acid and its salts").read the regulation →
  • Benzoyl PeroxideRegulated in European Union & Canada only
    United States
    Not restrictedAn FDA OTC monograph drug active for acne.
    European Union
    RestrictedAnnex III entry 94 — permitted only under specific restrictions/conditions — Sourced from a 2022 snapshot of the EU's CosIng database — the live CosIng site now requires API credentials we don't have (see pipeline/fetch-cosing.ts); annex numbering/content may have been amended since.read the regulation →
    Canada
    RestrictedRestricted in Canadian cosmetics to professional-use nail products only, at a maximum of 10%, with mandatory "for professional use only"/"avoid skin contact" labeling. Acne treatments containing benzoyl peroxide are regulated in Canada as drugs, not cosmetics — this cosmetics-only entry doesn't cover that use.read the regulation →
  • BHA exfoliantRegulated in European Union & Canada only
    United States
    Not restrictedAn FDA OTC monograph drug active for acne (up to 2%) and dandruff; also used cosmetically as a low-level exfoliant.
    European Union
    RestrictedAnnex III entry 98 — permitted only under specific restrictions/conditions — Sourced from a 2022 snapshot of the EU's CosIng database — the live CosIng site now requires API credentials we don't have (see pipeline/fetch-cosing.ts); annex numbering/content may have been amended since.read the regulation →
    Canada
    RestrictedRestricted in Canadian cosmetics to a maximum of 2%.read the regulation →
  • ClimbazoleRegulated in European Union only
    United States
    Not restrictedAn antifungal anti-dandruff active used in EU/Asia, not part of the US FDA OTC monograph.
    European Union
    RestrictedAnnex V entry 32 — permitted preservative, with conditions — Sourced from a 2022 snapshot of the EU's CosIng database — the live CosIng site now requires API credentials we don't have (see pipeline/fetch-cosing.ts); annex numbering/content may have been amended since.read the regulation →
    Canada
    Not curated
  • Hydrolyzed Wheat ProteinRegulated in European Union only
    United States
    Not restrictedA cosmetic conditioning protein. The FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic ingredients.
    European Union
    RestrictedAnnex III entry 307 — permitted only under specific restrictions/conditions — Sourced from a 2022 snapshot of the EU's CosIng database — the live CosIng site now requires API credentials we don't have (see pipeline/fetch-cosing.ts); annex numbering/content may have been amended since.read the regulation →
    Canada
    Not curated
  • Mandelic AcidRegulated in Canada only
    United States
    Not restrictedA cosmetic AHA. The FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic ingredients.
    European Union
    Not curated
    Canada
    RestrictedRestricted in Canadian cosmetics under Health Canada's alpha-hydroxy-acid entry: 3–18% total mono-AHA equivalents at pH ≥ 3.5 for general consumer use (18–30%, or pH 3.0–3.5, for professional-use products); products meant to be diluted in bath water may exceed 10%. A sunscreen-use advisory is required on the label.read the regulation →
  • Piroctone OlamineRegulated in European Union only
    United States
    Not restrictedA popular anti-dandruff active in EU/Asian products, but not part of the US FDA OTC anti-dandruff monograph.
    European Union
    RestrictedAnnex III entry 61 — permitted only under specific restrictions/conditions — Sourced from a 2022 snapshot of the EU's CosIng database — the live CosIng site now requires API credentials we don't have (see pipeline/fetch-cosing.ts); annex numbering/content may have been amended since.read the regulation →
    Canada
    Not curated
  • RetinalRegulated in Canada only
    United States
    Not restrictedA cosmetic vitamin-A derivative (retinaldehyde), not a prescription drug. The FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic ingredients.
    European Union
    Not curated
    Canada
    RestrictedRestricted in Canadian cosmetics: 0.01% maximum in leave-on, full-body products; 0.05% maximum in other cosmetics.read the regulation →
  • Retinyl PalmitateRegulated in Canada only
    United States
    Not restrictedA cosmetic vitamin-A ester, not a prescription drug. The FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic ingredients.
    European Union
    Not curated
    Canada
    RestrictedRestricted under the same Health Canada entry as Retinol — Retinyl Palmitate is one of the esters explicitly named there, and counts toward the same total-retinol-equivalents caps (0.2% leave-on full-body / 1.0% other cosmetics).read the regulation →
  • UreaRegulated in Canada only
    United States
    Not restrictedA cosmetic humectant at skincare levels. The FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic ingredients.
    European Union
    Not curated
    Canada
    RestrictedRestricted in Canadian cosmetics: unrestricted in products meant to be diluted in bath water; 10% maximum in other cosmetics.read the regulation →
  • Vitamin ARegulated in Canada only
    United States
    Not restrictedA cosmetic vitamin-A derivative — not the prescription drug tretinoin. The FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic ingredients.
    European Union
    Not curated
    Canada
    RestrictedRestricted in Canadian cosmetics: 0.2% maximum total retinol equivalents in leave-on, full-body products; 1.0% maximum in other cosmetics.read the regulation →
  • Zinc OxideRegulated in European Union only
    United States
    Not restrictedOne of only two mineral UV filters the FDA proposed as GRASE (generally recognized as safe and effective) — a US-approved sunscreen active.
    European Union
    RestrictedAnnex IV entry 144 — permitted colorant, with conditions — Sourced from a 2022 snapshot of the EU's CosIng database — the live CosIng site now requires API credentials we don't have (see pipeline/fetch-cosing.ts); annex numbering/content may have been amended since.read the regulation →
    Canada
    Not curated
  • FormaldehydeStricter in European Union
    United States
    Not curated
    European Union
    ProhibitedAnnex II entry 1577 — prohibited substance — Sourced from a 2022 snapshot of the EU's CosIng database — the live CosIng site now requires API credentials we don't have (see pipeline/fetch-cosing.ts); annex numbering/content may have been amended since.read the regulation →
    Canada
    RestrictedRestricted in Canadian cosmetics: not permitted in aerosols; capped at 0.01% in other products that release formaldehyde vapour on use; 0.1% in oral products; 0.2% as a preservative in other non-oral products; up to 5.0% in nail hardeners (sold only with nail shields, directions, and a skin-sensitivity warning).read the regulation →
  • HexachloropheneStricter in European Union & Canada
    United States
    RestrictedPermitted as a cosmetic preservative only up to 0.1% and never in products meant for mucous membranes; higher levels or antibacterial (not just preservative) use require a prescription drug approval (21 CFR 250.250).read the regulation →
    European Union
    ProhibitedAnnex II entry 371 — prohibited substance — Sourced from a 2022 snapshot of the EU's CosIng database — the live CosIng site now requires API credentials we don't have (see pipeline/fetch-cosing.ts); annex numbering/content may have been amended since.read the regulation →
    Canada
    ProhibitedProhibited outright in Canadian cosmetics (CAS 70-30-4) — stricter than the US, where the FDA permits it as a preservative up to 0.1% (21 CFR 250.250). Canada allows no cosmetic use at all.read the regulation →
  • Sodium BorateStricter in European Union
    United States
    Not curated
    European Union
    ProhibitedAnnex II entry 1396 — prohibited substance — Sourced from a 2022 snapshot of the EU's CosIng database — the live CosIng site now requires API credentials we don't have (see pipeline/fetch-cosing.ts); annex numbering/content may have been amended since.read the regulation →
    Canada
    RestrictedRestricted under the same terms as boric acid and its other salts (0.1% as a pH adjuster, 5% otherwise) — Health Canada's Hotlist cites sodium borate directly under its "Boric acid and its salts" entry.read the regulation →
  • ThimerosalStricter in Canada
    United States
    Not curated
    European Union
    RestrictedAnnex V entry 16 — permitted preservative, with conditions — Sourced from a 2022 snapshot of the EU's CosIng database — the live CosIng site now requires API credentials we don't have (see pipeline/fetch-cosing.ts); annex numbering/content may have been amended since.read the regulation →
    Canada
    ProhibitedProhibited outright in Canadian cosmetics (CAS 54-64-8) — an organomercury preservative, individually named under Health Canada's broader "Mercury and its compounds" prohibition.read the regulation →
  • Vinyl ChlorideStricter in Canada
    United States
    RestrictedBanned specifically as an ingredient of aerosol cosmetic products (including as a propellant) since 1974 — inhalation is linked to acute toxicity and cancer (21 CFR 700.14). The rule is scoped to aerosol delivery, not cosmetics generally.read the regulation →
    European Union
    Not curated
    Canada
    ProhibitedProhibited outright in Canadian cosmetics (listed as "Vinyl chloride monomer," CAS 75-01-4) — stricter than the US, where the FDA's ban is scoped only to aerosol cosmetic products (21 CFR 700.14). Canada's ban has no such carve-out.read the regulation →

Same verdict everywhere

Ingredients where every jurisdiction we track agrees.

IngredientVerdictJurisdictions
ChloroformprohibitedUnited States, European Union, Canada
Lead AcetateprohibitedEuropean Union, Canada
Retinoic AcidprohibitedEuropean Union, Canada
ChlorhexidinerestrictedEuropean Union, Canada
Chlorhexidine DiacetaterestrictedEuropean Union, Canada
Chlorhexidine DigluconaterestrictedEuropean Union, Canada
Chlorhexidine DihydrochloriderestrictedEuropean Union, Canada
Citric AcidrestrictedEuropean Union, Canada
MethylchloroisothiazolinonerestrictedEuropean Union, Canada
MethylisothiazolinonerestrictedEuropean Union, Canada
ResorcinolrestrictedEuropean Union, Canada
TalcrestrictedEuropean Union, Canada
TriclosanrestrictedEuropean Union, Canada

What this can't tell you

This is not a safety verdict, and the wording is chosen deliberately: different regulators run on different evidence thresholds, risk-assessment traditions, and legal processes — a US-restricted, Canada-prohibited ingredient is a REGULATORY difference, not a finding that one country is right and the other wrong. Coverage is also asymmetric and incomplete by construction. Health Canada's Hotlist and our EU CosIng decode only ever curate ingredients that ARE prohibited or restricted — an ingredient absent from either is not evidence that regulator cleared it, just that it isn't on our curated subset (only the US side, curated for both banned AND ordinary actives, can honestly support a "not restricted" verdict). Our EU data is also a disclosed-stale 2022 CosIng snapshot — see the note on every EU row — so an EU-decoded status may not reflect the current Annex text. And every jurisdiction's curated set here is a hand-verified SUBSET of a much larger regulatory list, not the full text of any of the three.

How we counted

For every ingredient in our catalog, we read the curated US FDA status (fda_status — 21 CFR 700 Subpart B prohibited/restricted list, plus the ordinary cosmetic/OTC-drug categorization we curate for popular actives), the curated Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist status (hc_status), and the EU's CosIng "restrictions" shorthand decoded against Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009's own Annexes (II = prohibited, III–VI = permitted only under specific conditions). An ingredient qualifies for this report only when 2 or more of those three jurisdictions carry a curated status; we then classify the relationship as agreement ("same verdict"), a difference of degree ("stricter in X" — all curated jurisdictions restrict it, one more than another), or a difference of kind ("regulated in X only" — one jurisdiction restricts it while another, also curated, does not).

Cite this

beautydew labs. "The same ingredient, regulated differently — US, EU, Canada compared — a live data report." Accessed October 5, 2026. https://beautydewlabs.com/data/regulated-differently