导航菜单
China's New Cosmetic Ingredient (NCI) market continued to expand in H1 2026. From January 1 to June 30, 116 new cosmetic ingredients completed notification and entered the public disclosure stage, representing a 45% year-on-year increase. Among them, 10 ingredients entered the safety monitoring period.
Chemical ingredients (including polymers) remain the dominant category among China's notified NCIs. However, natural and biotech ingredients have gained increasing attention, driven by China's abundant natural resources and the rapid development of biotechnology and synthetic biology in recent years. In H1 2026, 50 plant-derived and 31 biotechnology-derived ingredients completed notification, highlighting the growing innovation in these categories.
Guided by our philosophy of "Compliance Helps Market", ZMUni provides end-to-end New Cosmetic Ingredient (NCI) registration and notification services for cosmetic brands, ingredient companies, and cross-industry innovators from the food and pharmaceutical sectors.
Our support covers regulatory assessment, dossier preparation, submission strategy, and notification assistance, helping innovative ingredients successfully navigate China’s regulatory requirements and accelerate market entry.
With authorization from relevant clients, we are pleased to share the following representative cases:
Notifier: Hainan Jingrun Biotech
NCI No.: 国妆原备字20260013
Glutamic acid-modified pearl powder is a reaction product of glutamic acid and pearl powder. Pearls are primarily composed of calcium carbonate, along with amino acids and trace elements. Under the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China (IECIC), pearl is listed only as a mixed substance (e.g. pearl powder), with no pearl-derived chemical substances included. Against this regulatory backdrop, glutamic acid–modified pearl powder represents the first pearl-derived chemical substance to be notified as an NCI, enabling broader application in cosmetic formulations.
Notifier: SENCL
NCI No.: 国妆原备字20260016
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch), a perennial herb of the Fabaceae family, already well represented in IECIC 2021, with many licorice-based cosmetic ingredients such as root powder, flavonoids, glycyrrhetinic acid, and glycyrrhetinyl stearyl ester, primarily used as moisturizers and skin protectants. Glycyrrheticin Glucuronide, is intended for use as a skin protectant.
Notifier: Queeta Biotech
NCI No.: 国妆原备字20260022
Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are a type of biosurfactant known for their biodegradability, low toxicity, and excellent biocompatibility. They have broad application potential across medicine, personal care, food, agriculture, and environmental remediation, and are widely recognized as one of the most promising biosurfactants available today.
Notifier: Zhejiang Peptides Biotech
NCI No.: 国妆原备字20260057
Cyclo sh-Pentapeptide-46 SP represents the fourth cyclic peptide ingredient notified by Peptides Biotech. As an innovative cyclic peptide, it features enhanced enzymatic stability and structural robustness compared with conventional linear peptides, providing new possibilities for long-lasting skincare efficacy.
Notifier: ZHIHE Biotech
NCI No.: 国妆原备字20260062
Ceramide EOS, a functional lipid ingredient notified by Zhihe Bio, is produced through a combination of bio-fermentation and green chemical synthesis. Through targeted structural modification, the molecule is optimized while retaining the classic benefits of ceramides in moisturizing and skin barrier repair. It also offers hair-conditioning properties, enabling dual applications in both skincare and haircare formulations.
Notifier: Veminsyn Biotech
NCI No.: 国妆原备字20260084
The primary active components of Saussurea involucrata are flavonoids and polysaccharides, alongside alkaloids, organic acids, ceramides, volatile oils, trace elements, and amino acids. It shows excellent potential for antioxidant, soothing, and repairing skincare benefits. Developed and produced by Veminsyn Biotech, this Saussurea involucrata callus extract features a uniform color and stable quality achieved through targeted induction. The ingredient is suitable for a wide range of cosmetic applications.
Notifier: Long Health Bio
NCI No.: 国妆原备字202600102
Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) is an important member of the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) family. With its unique glycosidic structure and highly polar, multi-hydroxyl characteristics, LNnT demonstrates promising cosmetic applications, including moisturizing, skin protection, and hair conditioning benefits. Long Health Bio has validated its efficacy through in vitro studies and laboratory data, supporting its use as a skin protectant, humectant, and hair conditioning agent in cosmetic formulations.
In June 2026, China further optimized its New Cosmetic Ingredient regulatory framework by issuing the Provisions for Management of New Cosmetic Ingredient Registration and Notification Dossiers and the accompanying technical guidelines, both effective from July 15, 2026.
The updated framework reflects China's regulatory direction of reducing compliance burdens while improving efficiency. By optimizing dossier requirements, refining technical management, and introducing more flexible regulatory approaches, the new requirements aim to encourage genuine ingredient innovation while maintaining safety standards. Read more here.
As China's cosmetic ingredient innovation continues to accelerate, professional regulatory strategies remain essential for successful market entry. With extensive experience in New Cosmetic Ingredient registration and notification, ZMUni supports global brands and ingredient companies throughout the compliance journey, from regulatory assessment and dossier preparation to successful notification.
Looking to launch your innovative cosmetic ingredient in the Chinese market?
Contact ZMUni for professional New Cosmetic Ingredient regulatory support.
