Timeline
What's changed
Rule changes for beauty products, newest first. England, Wales and Scotland make up GB.
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Plastic wet wipes: ban starts in Scotland
Selling wet wipes containing plastic to the public ends in Scotland.
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Plastic wet wipes: ban starts in England
Selling wet wipes containing plastic to the public ends in England.
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Plastic wet wipes: ban starts in Northern Ireland
Selling wet wipes containing plastic to the public ends in Northern Ireland.
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Retinol: over-limit stock off sale in NI
In Northern Ireland, products over the vitamin A limits can no longer be sold at all.
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Two forms of silver: GB ban starts
Nano silver and 'massive' silver are added to the GB banned list. Products placed on the market before 23 March 2027 can still be sold until the end of 22 September 2027.
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Plastic wet wipes: ban starts in Wales
Selling wet wipes containing plastic to the public ends in Wales.
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TPO in gel nails: banned in GB
TPO, used to set some gel nail products, is added to the list of substances GB cosmetics must not contain. Products placed on the market before 15 August 2026 can still be sold until the end of 14 February 2027.
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Hexyl salicylate: restricted in GB
Hexyl salicylate, a fragrance ingredient, is limited to set strengths in Great Britain.
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Retinol: limits apply in NI
Northern Ireland follows the EU vitamin A limits: 0.05% in body lotion and 0.3% in other products, with a label warning.
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Methyl salicylate: restricted in GB
Methyl salicylate is limited to set strengths for each type of product in Great Britain.
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TPO in gel nails: banned in NI
Northern Ireland follows the EU ban on TPO. The European Commission's guidance says there is no extra time to sell old stock.
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Kojic acid: restricted in GB
Kojic acid is allowed only in face and hand products, at up to 1%.
