On 13 March 2024, Health Canada announced that it was opening a complementary consultation period on certain proposed modifications to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist in 2023. The agency also presented its position on alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs).
From 13 July to 11 October 2023, Health Canada organised a public consultation on 19 changes to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, including two bans and a total of 17 changes to existing restrictions.
Consultation on five ingredients
On 13 March 2023, it announced that, in the light of questions received for some of the ingredients concerned, it was making available additional information available to download, and open to comment, for :
• Thioglycolic acid esters
• Retinoic acid precursors (Retinal and Retinol and its esters)
• Mixtures of cresols and derivatives (p-, m- and o-cresol)
• Aluminium chlorohydrate and its associated complexes
• Peroxide and benzoyl peroxide-generating compounds
The additional consultation period for these ingredients will remain open for 60 days. Any comments or additional data should be sent no later than 7 June 2024, by email or in writing to the Hotlist Coordinator.
Position on AHAs and PHAs
Health Canada has also stated its position on alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs).
Health Canada confirms that it intends to update the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist for AHAs in accordance with the proposal presented during the 2023 consultation, with some minor/editorial adjustments based on comments received.
However, it …
