Is retinol restricted in cosmetics in Europe?
Direct answer
Yes. Regulation 2024/996 restricts retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate in Annex III, entry 376. The limits are expressed as retinol equivalent and depend on product type. [eu-996]
Regulatory status
Permitted under conditions These three substances are subject to the concentrations, labelling and deadlines in entry 376; this is not a general ban on retinol. [eu-996]
Scientific opinion In its revision adopted on 24-25 October 2022, the SCCSEU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety: it assesses cosmetic ingredients. reaches a favourable conclusion at the concentrations incorporated into the Regulation, within the scope of its assessment. [sccs]
Authority concern, specified context The same opinion notes that cosmetics add to total exposure and may be of concern for the 5% of consumers most exposed to vitamin A from food and supplements. [sccs]
Restrictions and conditions of use
Annex III, No 376 : At most 0.05% retinol equivalent in body lotions and 0.3% in other leave-on and rinse-off products. Mandatory labelling: “Contains Vitamin A. Consider your daily intake before use”. Since 1 November 2025, non-compliant products may no longer be placed on the Union market; they may no longer be made available from 1 May 2027. [eu-996]
Dated primary sources
Règlement (UE) 2024/996, annexe III, entrée 376. Text : 2024-04-03. Consulted : 2026-10-31. Annexe, entrée 376 et note (**), page 7 du Journal officiel espagnol, cellules et extraits distincts.
Entry 376 sets two retinol-equivalent limits, mandatory labelling and two separate deadlines.
Retinol
Retinyl Acetate
Retinyl Palmitate
a) Lociones corporales
b) Otros productos que se aclaran y que no se aclaran
a) 0,05 % equivalente de retinol (ER)
b) 0,3 % de ER
Para cualquier producto cosmético que contenga las sustancias “Retinol”, “Retinyl Acetate” o “Retinyl Palmitate”, el etiquetado siguiente es obligatorio: “Este producto contiene vitamina A. Tenga en cuenta su ingesta diaria antes de utilizarlo”.
A partir del 1 de noviembre de 2025 no se introducirán en el mercado de la Unión los productos cosméticos que contengan dicha sustancia y no cumplan las restricciones. A partir del 1 de mayo de 2027 no se comercializarán en el mercado de la Unión los productos cosméticos que contengan dicha sustancia y no cumplan las restricciones.Règlement (UE) 2024/996, annexe III, entrée 376 · Original passage
CSSC, révision de l’avis sur la vitamine A, SCCS/1639/21. Text : 2022-10-25. Consulted : 2026-10-31. Adoption les 24 et 25 octobre 2022 ; conclusion, question 1, extraits distincts.
The SCCS reaches a favourable conclusion at the stated concentrations and flags aggregate exposure in consumers with the highest intake from food and supplements.
The SCCS is of the opinion that vitamin A in cosmetics at the concentrations of 0.05% Retinol EquivalentContent expressed as retinol: for an ester (retinyl acetate or palmitate), the amount of retinol it provides. (RE) in body lotion, and 0.3% RE for other leave-on and rinse-off products is safe.
However, it will add to the overall consumer exposure and this may be of concern for consumers with the highest exposure (5% of the total population) to vitamin A from food and food supplements.Limits of the data
Entry 376 covers only the three named substances; its percentages are not food-supplement doses. [eu-996]
Last verification
2026-10-31