Among other things, the concentrations of vitamin A or retionol preparations, which are widely used for aging skin, will soon be limited in cosmetics.
The new EU regulation regulates the maximum concentrations of vitamin A (Retinol, Retinyl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate) in cosmetic preparations. According to Tukes, the reason is that in some cases the safe total intake of vitamin A may be exceeded when other sources of vitamin A such as food and nutritional supplements are also taken into account.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that accumulates in the body and is toxic in overdose.
– It is obtained from several different sources, and with the help of the new restrictions, the aim is to take into account the total exposure to vitamin A. For this reason, a new mandatory warning label “Contains vitamin A. Pay attention to your daily intake” is also coming to the products, says cosmetic importer and manufacturer Berner.
In the consumer market, it has been considered that the use and concentrations of retinol should be limited. Unsplash
The functional raw material retinol is a powerful skin rejuvenating substance that easily causes skin reactions, especially in the beginning and for new users. These can include redness of the skin, itching and scaling, as well as local heating of the skin. All of these often pass quickly when the skin gets used to the products.
Pay attention to the usage recommendations related to retinol products. Unsplash
So how does this affect cosmetics consumers?
– In the consumer market, it has been considered that use and concentrations should be limited. With this change, retinols will have maximum concentrations. Consumer products will have a maximum concentration of 0.3 percent, he opens Susanna Kyntöläcosmetologist and brand director of Berner professional cosmetics.
– I find this new concentration to be very sufficient for consumer cosmetics. Today, many people use too many and often too strong products. The skin doesn’t need such terribly hard treatments, even less is enough, he assures.
– Retinols and acids never stop working: instead, the skin gets used to them. That is, possible reactions at the beginning do not necessarily mean that the product is not suitable for you or that it is not effective. In Finland, it is often thought that when the skin burns, then a product really works. After the initial overreaction, the tested power products still work, even if the skin no longer has these sensations, explains Kyntölä.
Retinol is a powerful skin-regenerating substance: therefore, it may easily cause skin reactions, especially in the beginning and for new users. Unsplash
He reminds us that the skin doesn’t need huge amounts often and really strong active ingredients to benefit from them.
– Less is enough. More important is moderation and regular use. This way you will get exactly the same results.
According to the expert, the skin doesn’t need huge amounts, too often or really strong active ingredients to benefit from them. Unsplash
Other recommended restrictions related to retinol products include:
- Protect the skin from the sun during use.
- Avoid getting the product on the skin around the eyes.
- Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- If the product causes skin irritation, reduce the frequency of use of the product so that the skin gets used to the retinol.
Retinol products are typically used to treat aging skin. Pictured is Cate Blanchett. All Over Press
Products that do not comply with the new regulation may no longer be placed on the market as of November 1, 2025, and such products may no longer be sold as of May 1, 2027.