| Feature | Japan | EU (CosIng) | USA (FDA) | |---------|-------|-------------|-----------| | Central online database | No (paid/print only) | Yes (free) | No (partial lists) | | Legal status of lists | Mixed (positive lists + open) | Positive lists (restricted) | Open (few restrictions) | | Quasi-drug category | Yes | No (cosmetics vs drugs only) | No (OTC monograph) | | Ingredient safety review | JCIA + MHLW | SCCS | CIR (voluntary) |
| List Type | Regulated Items | Example | |-----------|----------------|---------| | Preservatives | ~60 substances | Phenoxyethanol (max 1.0%) | | UV Filters | ~50 substances (cosmetics) | Octinoxate (max 10%) | | Tar Colors | ~100 synthetic organic colors | Red 227 | | Prohibited Ingredients | ~30 substances | Vinyl chloride, chloroform | japan cosmetic ingredients database
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Furthermore, the JCID serves as a critical interface for safety compliance. Japan maintains strict "Negative Lists"—substances that are prohibited or restricted in cosmetics—and "Positive Lists" for specific categories like UV filters and preservatives. The database is the map that guides formulators through this legal minefield. It delineates the boundaries between a cosmetic and a quasi-drug, a distinction that is notoriously sharp in Japan. For instance, a whitening ingredient might be considered a cosmetic in Europe but a quasi-drug in Japan, requiring a different regulatory pathway. The JCID does not just list the ingredient; it contextualizes its legal status. This function transforms the database from a passive library into an active compliance tool, essential for risk management in a highly litigious and quality-obsessed market. | Feature | Japan | EU (CosIng) |
Japan Cosmetic Industry Association ... - 日本化粧品工業会 It delineates the boundaries between a cosmetic and