Is retinol banned in the UK?

A one-page summary to pin up for clients.

The answer

GB: No specific ruleNI: Restricted

No. Retinol isn't banned anywhere in the UK. Great Britain has no specific limit for it, though every cosmetic must still be safe. Northern Ireland follows the EU limits: 0.05% (as retinol equivalent) in body lotion and 0.3% in other products, with a warning on the label.

Where you live matters

Great Britain

England, Wales, Scotland

No specific rule

Retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate don't appear on the GB banned or restricted lists (Annexes II and III, checked 2 November 2026). The general rule that every cosmetic must be safe still applies. The government's product safety office (OPSS) has asked for scientific evidence on vitamin A in cosmetics, which could lead to limits later.

Northern Ireland

Follows EU cosmetics rules

Restricted

Retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate are limited to 0.05% retinol equivalent in body lotion and 0.3% in other leave-on and rinse-off products. The label must say "Contains Vitamin A. Consider your daily intake before use".

Key dates

Where	Rule starts	Old stock: placed on the market	Old stock: last date to be sold
Great Britain	No specific rule	Not applicable	Not applicable
Northern Ireland	1 November 2025	Not allowed from 1 November 2025	Not allowed from 1 May 2027

In Northern Ireland, products over the limits couldn't be newly placed on the market from 1 November 2025, and can't be sold at all from 1 May 2027.

What the law says

For any cosmetic product containing Retinol, Retinyl Acetate or Retinyl Palmitate the following, labelling is obligatory: 'Contains Vitamin A. Consider your daily intake before use'.

Regulation (EU) 2024/996, Annex III entry 376 (applies in Northern Ireland)

Tretinoin (INN) (retinoic acid and its salts)

UK Cosmetics Regulation, Annex II, entry 375 (a different substance, banned in cosmetics)

What this doesn't tell you

This page is about legal status only. A product being allowed doesn't mean it's right for your skin, and a product being banned doesn't tell you how risky an old bottle at home is. If you're worried about a reaction, speak to a pharmacist or GP. Prescription retinoids such as tretinoin are medicines, which this page doesn't cover.

Last checked: 2 November 2026

Sources

isitbannedintheuk.co.uk/rules/retinol/ · Last checked 2 November 2026

General information from official sources, checked on the date shown. Not legal or medical advice. © The Contract Studio UK Ltd