China Approves NMN, Bakuchiol, & Two Other Ingredients for Existing Cosmetic Use

On August 19, 2026, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) officially expanded List II of the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China (IECIC). Four highly anticipated ingredients have officially transitioned off the new ingredient watch list into existing ingredient status:

• Bakuchiol: A gentler, plant-derived alternative to retinol prized for smoothing fine lines without the typical irritation.
• β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN): Extremely popular in the longevity movement for supporting anti-aging pathways, cellular energy, and skin renewal — with widespread retail availability across health and beauty markets in Hong Kong.
• Azelaoyl Bis(dimethylaminopropyl)amine
• Cetyl Diglycerol Tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl Polydimethylsiloxane

This transition marks a key shift for global beauty brands: these ingredients no longer require separate, lengthy New Cosmetic Ingredient (NCI) registrations. Instead, companies can now incorporate them directly using standard cosmetic product filing pathways.

NMPA Completes Fifth Dynamic IECIC Adjustment

This update marks the fifth adjustment to the IECIC under the dynamic mechanism introduced via Announcement No. 61. Rather than leaving the inventory static, this framework continuously updates ingredient statuses as regulatory reviews finish.

All four ingredients have successfully completed their mandatory three-year safety monitoring periods. Having satisfied the criteria of China’s Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR), they are now officially integrated into the mainstream market framework.

Approved Uses, Functions & Safe-Use Limits

Their new status does not mean the ingredients can be used without restrictions. The NMPA has specified permitted cosmetic functions and maximum concentrations that companies must observe when formulating products for the Chinese market.

For companies transferring overseas formulations into China, these limits are particularly important. A formulation that is compliant in another market may still require adjustment if its ingredient concentration, function, or application does not meet Chinese requirements.

Four Checks Companies Should Make Before Filing

With these ingredients now classified as existing ingredients, companies should turn their attention to the compliance of the finished product.

Before filing or registering an affected product in China, companies should review four areas:

1. Verify IECIC Usage Limits & Conditions

First, verify the permitted uses, concentration limits, and other restrictions applicable to each ingredient. An ingredient's inclusion in the IECIC does not necessarily mean that the concentration or application used in an overseas formulation can be carried over unchanged to China.

2. Review Raw Material Documentation

Next, confirm that suppliers can provide the technical specifications and supporting documentation required for the relevant raw materials. Ingredient identity, quality, purity, and impurity specifications should align with the requirements applicable to the Chinese market.

3. Reassess Existing NCI Work

Companies with pending NCI applications, filings, or related regulatory work involving any of the four ingredients should review those cases in light of the new IECIC status and determine the appropriate regulatory action.

4. Update Product Dossiers

Finally, review affected safety assessments, product technical documentation, and filing or registration materials to ensure they reflect the ingredient's current regulatory status and comply with the applicable requirements.

Final Thoughts

The latest IECIC update gives global cosmetics brands a reason to revisit products containing bakuchiol, NMN, and the other three newly listed ingredients. With the separate NCI pathway no longer required, the focus can shift to meeting the remaining requirements for the finished product and determining how efficiently it can enter the Chinese market.

For brands with affected products already in development or sold overseas, now is the time to review their formulations and regulatory dossiers against the updated IECIC requirements. This can determine whether products that previously faced an additional NCI requirement can now follow a more straightforward route to the Chinese market. Regulatory partners such as Cisema can support this review by assessing ingredient status and restrictions, checking formulation compliance, and supporting the resulting product filing or registration.

Looking to bring your cosmetic products to market in China? Contact Cisema today to assess how the latest IECIC update could affect your regulatory pathway.

Further Information

• Explore Cisema’s services for cosmetics registration and filing in China.
• Learn more about Cisema’s services for cosmetics ingredients compliance in China.

References

• Four new cosmetic ingredients including monoamide propyl dimethylamine azelanoate included in the "Catalogue of Used Cosmetic Ingredients" 壬二酸单酰胺丙基二甲胺等4个化妆品新原料纳入《已使用化妆品原料目录》