China's NCI Approval Updates: Actives and an HMO Newly Notified

Publication date：2025-10-31

From October 25 to 31, 2025, 3 new cosmetic ingredients (NCIs) were notified with the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).

The technical requirements for the 3 new cosmetic ingredients mentioned above have not been disclosed, and they have not yet entered the safety monitoring period.

Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol is a high-purity ingredient extracted and purified from crushed Psoralea corylifolia seeds to remove impurities and solvents. It functions as an antimicrobial, antioxidant, emollient, and skin-conditioning agent.

Since the first bakuchiol ingredient was notified in August 2022, a total of eight notificationns have been recorded to date. According to data from the China Association of Fragrance Flavor and Cosmetic Industries(CAFFCI), bakuchiol is currently the third most frequently used new cosmetic ingredient in China, following β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate.

Lacto-N-neotetraose

Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) is one of the key neutral core HMOs. In China, it became the second approved HMO for use in infant formula and other foods after 2'-Fucosyllactose. In the U.S. and EU, LNnT is already authorized for a wide range of applications, including infant formula, beverages, and dairy products.

Other HMO-related NCIs that have been notified include fucosyllactose, 3'-sialyllactose sodium salt, 6'-sialyllactose sodium salt, and 2'-fucosyllactose.

The notifier, DSM-Firmenich Nutrition Products (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., is part of DSM-Firmenich—a Swiss-Dutch group focused on nutrition, health, and personal care. In 2023, another China-based subsidiary of DSM-Firmenich also notified a chemical ingredient: Amidinobenzyl Benzylsulfonyl D-Seryl Homophenylalaninamide Acetate.