What ingredients are prohibited from use in cosmetics?

Regulations specifically prohibit the use of the following ingredients in cosmetics. For complete details, refer to the regulations (21 CFR, Parts 250.250 and 700.11 through 700.35): Bithionol, chlorofluorocarbon propellants, chloroform, halogenated salicylanilides (di-, tri-, metabromsalan and tetrachlorosalicylanilide), methylene chloride, vinyl chloride, zirconium-containing complexes, prohibited cattle materials.

Some ingredients may be used in cosmetics, but only under the restrictions stated in the regulations: Hexachlorophene, mercury compounds, sunscreens in cosmetics.

A product may become adulterated or misbranded in a number of ways. Among these are improperly used color additives or any ingredient, other than a coal-tar hair dye, that causes a cosmetic to be harmful under customary or usual conditions of use, or cause a cosmetic to become misbranded, as stated in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Sections 601 and 602.

Source: Excerpted from Office of Cosmetics and Colors Fact Sheet, March 30, 2000 Revised May 2005 and June 2006: Ingredients Prohibited and Restricted by FDA Regulations