The Regulatory Landscape
In 2026, the EU’s updated cosmetics regulation has tightened restrictions on 23 additional ingredients, while the US continues to rely on the voluntary Cosmetics Ingredient Review (CIR) process. Neither jurisdiction defines “clean” — it remains a marketing term.
What Brands Should Actually Do
Focus on substantiated claims. If you avoid ingredient X, be able to explain why with science — not fear. Consumers are increasingly sophisticated and distrust vague green claims backed only by marketing copy.
