CosIng: EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database

What Is CosIng?

CosIng stands for Cosmetic Ingredients and is the European Commission's online database for cosmetic substances and ingredients.

The database brings together information originating from the EU Cosmetics Regulation, the former Cosmetics Directive, the glossary of common ingredient names used for cosmetic labelling and relevant opinions of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). It also contains historical information dating back to the adoption of the first EU Cosmetics Directive in 1976.

CosIng can therefore be particularly useful when researching an ingredient during cosmetic product development, formulation and regulatory assessment.

What Information Is Available in CosIng?

Depending on the substance, a CosIng entry may provide information such as:

• INCI or common ingredient name
• CAS number
• EC/EINECS or ELINCS number
• Cosmetic functions
• References to the EU Cosmetics Regulation
• Applicable Annexes
• Restrictions or regulatory conditions
• SCCS scientific opinions
• Historical regulatory information
• Information relating to ingredient nomenclature

CAS, ELINCS and EINECS numbers can be searched directly in the database, which can be particularly useful when an ingredient has several names or identification numbers.

CosIng and INCI Names

One of the important functions of CosIng is its connection with the glossary of common ingredient names used for cosmetic product labelling.

Under Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, cosmetic products placed on the EU market must carry a list of ingredients. The European Commission maintains the glossary of common ingredient names for this purpose, taking internationally recognised nomenclatures, including INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients), into account.

The current glossary is established by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175. The glossary is subject to updating as new ingredients and nomenclature requirements arise.

This means that CosIng can be useful when determining how an ingredient should be identified on a cosmetic product's ingredient list.

Is CosIng a List of Approved Cosmetic Ingredients?

No. This is one of the most important points when using CosIng.

The presence of an ingredient in CosIng does not mean that the ingredient is automatically authorised for use in cosmetic products. The European Commission explicitly states that CosIng is an informative, non-legally binding database.

The legally binding requirements are established by Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products and its Annexes.

For example, the Regulation establishes:

• Annex II – substances prohibited in cosmetic products
• Annex III – restricted substances
• Annex IV – permitted colourants
• Annex V – permitted preservatives
• Annex VI – permitted UV filters

Article 14 of the Regulation establishes that prohibited substances and restricted substances must comply with the applicable Annex conditions, while only the substances authorised in the relevant Annexes may be used for the specified functions such as colourants, preservatives and UV filters.

Therefore, a CosIng search should be considered a starting point for regulatory assessment, not the final regulatory decision.

How to Use CosIng When Checking an Ingredient

When evaluating an ingredient for a cosmetic formulation, CosIng can be used as part of a broader regulatory review.

A practical approach is:

1. Identify the ingredient

Search using the INCI name, chemical name, CAS number or EC/EINECS number.

2. Check the nomenclature

Confirm the relevant common ingredient name and whether the ingredient is included in the current glossary.

3. Check the regulatory references

Look for references to the Cosmetics Regulation and its Annexes.

4. Check restrictions

If the ingredient appears in an Annex, review the applicable conditions, such as maximum concentration, product type, application area or other restrictions.

5. Check SCCS information

Where available, review relevant SCCS opinions and determine whether they apply to the specific substance, concentration and exposure scenario.

6. Complete the safety assessment

Even when an ingredient is not prohibited or restricted, its use in a cosmetic product still needs to be supported by an appropriate cosmetic product safety assessment. The European Commission specifically notes that the use of an ingredient in a cosmetic product must be supported by a safety assessment of the product.

CosIng and Cosmetic Formulation

CosIng is particularly useful during the early stages of cosmetic product development.

For example, a formulator may use it to investigate whether a proposed ingredient has an established cosmetic name, identify its CAS or EC number, understand its documented cosmetic functions and check whether there are relevant regulatory references.

However, the formulation cannot be considered compliant simply because every ingredient can be found in CosIng. The finished cosmetic product must comply with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, including applicable ingredient restrictions and the requirement for a safety assessment.

CosIng and Regulatory Updates

Cosmetic legislation changes over time, and CosIng should therefore not be treated as a static database.

The European Commission continues to amend Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as scientific knowledge and regulatory requirements develop. For example, amendments published in 2026 changed provisions in several of the Cosmetics Regulation's Annexes.

For this reason, regulatory checks should always be based on the current version of the applicable legislation, rather than relying solely on an older CosIng entry or historical information.

CosIng in Practice

For cosmetic manufacturers, formulators, brand owners and regulatory professionals, CosIng is best viewed as a regulatory and nomenclature reference tool.

It can help answer questions such as:

• What is the recognised name of this cosmetic ingredient?
• What is its CAS or EC number?
• What cosmetic functions are associated with it?
• Is there an EU regulatory reference for the substance?
• Is there an SCCS opinion?
• Is the ingredient subject to an Annex restriction?
• What name should be considered for cosmetic labelling?

The final decision on whether and under what conditions an ingredient may be used must, however, be made by referring to the legally binding EU Cosmetics Regulation and the applicable regulatory requirements, together with the product's safety assessment.

References

European Commission. Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng).
European Commission. CosIng – Glossary of Ingredients.
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products.