How to Read Cosmetic Labels in Canada: Ingredients, Allergens and More

Turn over almost any moisturizer, shampoo or lipstick sold in Canada and you will find two languages, a block of small print full of Latin-looking names, and a handful of symbols. It can feel like a code, but most of it follows clear federal rules. Once you know what those rules require, and what they do not, a label becomes one of the most useful tools you have for choosing products that suit your skin. This guide explains how cosmetic labelling works in Canada, including the fragrance-allergen changes that took effect in 2026.

What a Canadian cosmetic label has to show

Health Canada's labelling requirements for cosmetics set out the basics. The outer label must include:

• the identity of the product (what it is), in English and French;
• a list of ingredients using the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) system;
• the net quantity in metric units, such as mL or g;
• the name and principal place of business of the dealer, plus contact information for consumer questions;
• any warnings or cautions, and directions for safe use where needed, in English and French.

Bilingual labelling is why you will see "moisturizing cream / crème hydratante" on the front. The main exception is the ingredient list, which uses INCI names instead of English or French words, so a single list works in both languages. Very small items, such as a single lipstick, may place the ingredient list on a tag, a leaflet or another permitted format instead of the container itself.

How to read the ingredient list

INCI names

INCI gives each ingredient one standard name that is used in many countries. That is why water appears as "aqua," shea butter as "butyrospermum parkii butter" and vitamin E as "tocopherol."

The order tells you something, but not everything

According to Health Canada's industry guide for the labelling of cosmetics, ingredients must be listed in descending order of predominance by weight. There are two important exceptions:

• ingredients present at 1% or less may be listed in any order after the ingredients above 1%;
• colouring agents may be listed in any order after the ingredients above 1%, regardless of their concentration.

So the first few ingredients usually make up most of the formula, but you cannot tell from position alone whether an ingredient near the end is at 0.9% or 0.01%. A featured ingredient on the front of the box may be present in a very small amount.

"Parfum" and "aroma"

The word "parfum" means ingredients were added to create or mask a scent, and "aroma" means they were added to create or mask a flavour, as in a lip product.

The new fragrance-allergen labelling rules

Health Canada amended the Cosmetic Regulations so that certain fragrance allergens can no longer hide behind the single word "parfum." Per Health Canada's page on cosmetic advertising, labelling and ingredients, the requirements phase in as follows:

• Since April 12, 2026: new and existing cosmetics must list 24 fragrance allergens in the ingredient list when present above 0.001% in leave-on products or above 0.01% in rinse-off products.
• From August 1, 2026: the list expands to 81 fragrance allergens for new products.
• By August 1, 2028: existing products must also meet the expanded list.

The allergens appear by name within the ingredient list, outside the term "parfum." If you know you react to a particular fragrance ingredient, such as one identified by a patch test, you can now look for it by name. Products made before these dates may still be on shelves, so an older label may not show every allergen. If you have a known fragrance allergy, ask your dermatologist or allergist which names to look for. Our Fragrance and Bath & Body departments will include full ingredient information as products are listed.

The Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

You will not see a "Hotlist" logo on a label, but it works behind the scenes. The Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist is Health Canada's administrative list of substances that are prohibited or restricted in cosmetics. It has two tables:

• Prohibited: substances that should not be present in cosmetics sold in Canada.
• Restricted: substances allowed only under specific conditions, such as a maximum concentration or a required cautionary statement.

That is why some products carry specific warnings: a restricted ingredient may require one. Manufacturers must also notify Health Canada of their cosmetics and ingredients, which lets the department check products against the Hotlist. Health Canada also notes it can act to enforce the law whether or not a substance appears on the list.

Symbols, dates and claims to read carefully

The period-after-opening symbol

A small open-jar icon with a number such as "12M" is the period-after-opening (PAO) symbol. It suggests how many months the product should be used for once opened. According to Cosmetics Alliance Canada, there is currently no Canadian regulation requiring an expiry date on cosmetics, so the PAO symbol, which many brands use for other markets, is often the only guide you get. Treat it as a guideline and trust your senses too: if a product separates, changes colour or smells off, stop using it.

Expiry dates on sunscreens

Sunscreens are different. Because they are regulated as drugs or natural health products, they follow different labelling rules, and you should check the expiry date printed on the package.

Words that sound official but are not

Health Canada states plainly that "hypoallergenic" is not a legal or scientific term. It means the manufacturer chose ingredients with a lower chance of causing an allergy, not that the product cannot cause a reaction. "Natural" is a marketing term too, and Health Canada points out that natural and synthetic versions of an ingredient are often chemically identical, so natural does not automatically mean gentler. Marketing terms like these fall to the Competition Bureau, which can act on claims that are false or misleading. Read the ingredient list rather than relying on front-of-pack wording.

Cosmetic, drug or natural health product?

Health Canada defines a cosmetic as a product used to clean, improve or change the complexion, skin, hair, nails or teeth. Once a product claims to treat or prevent a disease or change how the body functions, it is no longer a cosmetic. It is regulated as a drug or a natural health product and must carry an eight-digit number on the label:

• DIN (Drug Identification Number) for non-prescription and prescription drugs;
• NPN (Natural Product Number) for natural health products.

Health Canada lists sunscreens with SPF claims, anti-dandruff shampoos, acne treatments and fluoride toothpaste among products that are not considered cosmetics. If a product makes a treatment claim but shows no DIN or NPN, that is a warning sign. Questions about a product you bought from us? Reach out through our contact page.

Quick label-reading checklist

1. Check the product identity and directions in English and French.
2. Scan the first five ingredients; they usually make up most of the formula.
3. Remember that anything at 1% or less, and colourants, can appear in any order.
4. Look for named fragrance allergens outside "parfum" if you are sensitive.
5. Read any warnings; restricted ingredients may require them.
6. Find the PAO symbol and note the date you opened the product.
7. Do not rely on "hypoallergenic" or "natural"; read the list.
8. For sunscreen or treatment claims, look for a DIN or NPN and an expiry date.
9. Patch-test new products and see a pharmacist or dermatologist if you react.

Ready to put this into practice? Browse our Skincare department and compare ingredient lists side by side.

Frequently asked questions

Why are ingredient names on Canadian cosmetics hard to read?

Canada requires cosmetic ingredient lists to use INCI names, a standard international system. That is why water appears as "aqua" and one list works in both English and French.

Are ingredients listed from most to least?

Yes, in descending order of predominance by weight. However, ingredients at 1% or less, and colourants, may be listed in any order after the ingredients above 1%.

What changed with fragrance allergen labelling?

Since April 12, 2026, cosmetics must name 24 fragrance allergens in the ingredient list when present above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products. The list expands to 81 allergens for new products from August 1, 2026, and for existing products by August 1, 2028.

Does hypoallergenic mean a product will not cause a reaction?

No. Health Canada says hypoallergenic is not a legal or scientific term; it only means the manufacturer chose ingredients with less chance of causing an allergy.

What is the difference between a DIN and an NPN?

A DIN is a Drug Identification Number and an NPN is a Natural Product Number. Products that claim to treat or prevent a condition, such as sunscreens or anti-dandruff shampoos, are not cosmetics and must show one of these numbers.