As of March 2025, 237 new cosmetic ingredients (NCIs) have been successfully notified in China, with one ingredient approved for registration. In Q1 2025, 30 NCIs were newly notified. With the implementation of new regulations in February, innovation in cosmetic ingredients is expected to accelerate, and the total number of notified NCIs in 2025 is likely to exceed 100.
In Q1 2025, no new cosmetic ingredient (NCI) have been publicly registered yet, but the number of NCI notifications continues to rise. According to data from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), a total of 30 NCIs were notified this quarter, reflecting a 30.43% year-over-year increase compared to the same period in 2024.
|
Year |
Number of Notified NCIs in Q1 |
Year-on-year Growth |
|
2022 |
7 |
/ |
|
2023 |
9 |
28.57% |
|
2024 |
23 |
155.36% |
|
2025 |
30 |
30.43% |
Based on the current pace of notifications, combined with the ongoing policy benefits from the new regulations (Several Provisions on Supporting Cosmetic Ingredient Innovation, released in February), the total number of NCI notifications in 2025 is expected to reach a new high.
In Q1 2025, a total of 24 companies completed NCI notifications, with 17 of them being first-time notifiers. This includes companies such as YAMASA CORPORATION from Japan, CAREGEN CO., LTD from South Korea and Northstar Lipids from the UK.
In Q1 2025, Chinese companies dominated the notifications, making up 83.33% (20 companies), while overseas companies accounted for 16.67% (4 companies include: YAMASA CORPORATION, Intercos S.p.A, CAREGEN CO., LTD, and Northstar Lipids). Chinese companies are primarily focused on the development of China's unique plant resources, while overseas companies tend to notify chemical ingredients.
It is noteworthy that since the implementation of the Administrative Measures on Cosmetics Registration and Notification in 2021, Chinese cosmetic brands have also begun to engage in upstream ingredient R&D. The notifier now include not only ingredient suppliers such as Readline, Winkey Technology, and Shinehigh Innovation but also cosmetic brands like Botanee, GUYU, and SHE LOG, reflecting a positive trend of collaborative innovation across the entire industry chain.
In Q1 2025, China's NCI notifications continued along three main pathways: chemical, biological, and plant-derived ingredients. Among them, plant-based ingredients remained a dominant category, accounted for nealy half of the newly notified NCIs in Q1 2025, which includes salidroside, SOPHORA DAVIDII seed extract, gentiana veitchiorum flower extract, lunaria annua seed oil and etc.
The following ingredients saw multiple notifications this quarter, highlighting growing industry interest:
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Disodium Salt (PQQ): 1 new notification, total of 5 notifications.
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract: 2 new notifications, total of 5 notifications.
Anoectochilus Roxburghii Extract: 1 new notification, total of 4 notifications.
lCamellia Chrysantha-Related Ingredients: 2 notifications, total of 4 notifications.
As seen in Q1 2025, overseas companies like Intercos S.p.A have actively participated in the China's NCI market with successfully notifying 5 NCIs this quarter, bringing their total to 9. This places them in third place for the highest number of notifications among all companies. This serves as an excellent example of how international cosmetic companies can benefit from engaging in China’s NCI application process, expanding their market access and aligning with regulatory requirements.
At ZMUni Compliance Centre, we are proud to have assisted numerous companies in completing dozens of NCI applications, covering a wide range of categories including peptides, plant-based, chemical, and biotechnological/fermentation-based ingredients. Notably, we helped YAMASA CORPORATION from Japan successfully notify their NCI this quarter. If you have any questions regarding cosmetics or cosmetic ingredients in China, feel free to contact us at info@zmuni.com.
We are also thrilled to announce that next week, our Senior Compliance Expert and Head of Operations, Chris Wang, will be speaking at the in-cosmetics global 2025 Forum - Your Gateway to China's Personal Care Market: Insights & Strategies, hosted by PCHi. Chris will be sharing valuable insights on market trends and pathways for new cosmetic ingredients in China. This is a great opportunity to stay updated on the latest industry developments.
If you're interested, don't hesitate to make an appointment with Chris at chris@zmuni.com and meet her in person to discuss your needs and explore potential opportunities.
