Recently, the Cosmetics and Hazardous Substances Control Division of the Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) issued the Guidelines for Notification and Claims of Cosmetic Products with Specific Efficacy: Ingredient Claims (Issue No. 1/2026), which sets out specific requirements for the notification ingredients and efficacy claims of whitening and anti-acne cosmetics. CIRS Group has summarized the main contents of the guidelines as follows for reference.
General Requirements
The guidelines point out that efficacy information of cosmetics may appear in three parts: the product name, the product label, and advertising. All such statements should be scientific, clear, and well-founded, and must comply with the following general requirements:
1. No implied medical effects: Under Section 4(1) of the Cosmetics Act B.E. 2558 (2015), efficacy statements must not lead consumers to believe that the product can treat, relieve, or cure diseases, nor cause misunderstanding in material respects;
2. Ingredient compliance: The amount of any ingredient referenced in an efficacy claim must not exceed the limits set out in the Ministry of Public Health Announcement on the Names, Quantities and Conditions of Substances That May Be Used in the Manufacture of Cosmetics, and must not contain any substance listed in the Ministry of Public Health Announcement on the Names of Substances Prohibited from Use in the Manufacture of Cosmetics.
Whitening Products
1. Notification Requirements
Products intended to use "Whitening/ Lightening/ Brightening" or equivalent expressions as part of the product name must contain the following ingredients in their formulations:
(1) AHAs: Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, and Mandelic Acid;
(2) BHA: Salicylic Acid;
(3) PHA: Gluconolactone;
(4) Other permitted ingredients: Arbutin; Glycyrrhiza Glabra (licorice) root extract; Morus Alba root extract; Ascorbic Acid and its derivatives; Kojic Acid and its derivatives; Tranexamic Acid (not exceeding 3%, and not permitted in oral products); Niacinamide (Vitamin B3, Nicotinamide), etc.
For ingredients other than those listed above, supporting scientific documentation must be submitted with the notification, and review by experts appointed by the Thai FDA may be required.
2. Efficacy Claim Requirements
The guidelines provide the following examples of acceptable claim wordings:
(1) Helps reduce factors that trigger dull skin;
(2) Helps revitalize skin affected by UV radiation;
(3) Helps reduce the appearance of dark spots
(4) Addresses the root cause of dull skin in the outer skin layer.
The above claims must meet the following conditions:
- The product formulation must contain the ingredients listed under "Notification Requirements";
- Claims must make clear to consumers that the results of product use depend on individual skin characteristics and skin color;
- Claims must not imply changes to body structure, such as changing skin color.
Prohibited: No wording, or expression of similar meaning, may suggest that the cosmetic is capable of changing skin color or making it fairer than, or different from, its natural color.
Anti-Acne Products
1. Notification Requirements
For products intended to use "Acne / Anti-acne / Blackhead" as part of the product name, only transliteration is allowed if Thai is used; translation is not permitted. The product formulation must contain the following ingredients:
(1) Salicylic Acid;
(2) Triclosan;
(3) Melaleuca Alternifolia leaf oil (Tea Tree Oil);
(4) Sulfur (not exceeding 3%);
(5) Water Soluble Zinc Salts;
(6) Garcinia Mangostana peel extract.
For ingredients other than those listed above, supporting scientific documentation must be submitted with the notification, and review by experts appointed by the Thai FDA may be required.
2. Efficacy Claim Requirements
The guidelines provide the following examples of acceptable claim wordings:
(1) Helps reduce excess oil that can contribute to comedones;
(2) Helps care for skin prone to acne;
(3) Helps reduce factors contributing to acne;
(4) Controls excess oil that is the root cause of acne;
(5) Suitable for acne-prone skin.
The above claims must meet the following conditions:
- The product formulation must contain the ingredients listed under "Notification Requirements";
- Claims must not explicitly specify particular types of acne, melasma, or freckles, such as inflamed acne or comedones.
Prohibited: No text or images may imply that the product is effective in preventing or treating acne, reducing acne inflammation, or reducing acne.
CIRS Reminder
The guidelines are issued as a booklet series for products with ingredient claims. Issue No. 1/2026 focuses on whitening and anti-acne, two popular efficacy categories, and additional booklets covering other efficacy categories are expected to follow. CIRS Group reminds relevant enterprises:
- Verify formulation ingredients: If the above efficacy terms are used in product names, labels, or advertising in Thailand, enterprises should verify whether the formulation contains the listed ingredients;
- Mind claim boundaries: Whitening claims must not imply making skin fairer than its natural color, and anti-acne claims must not involve the treatment or prevention of specific types of acne, with both text and images falling within the scope of regulation;
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.
Our Services
- Thailand Cosmetic Notification
- Thailand Companies License Holding Services
- Product Information File (PIF) Preparation and Compilation
- Thai FDA e-Account Registration
- Formula and Packaging Review
- Product Testing Services
- Logistics and Customs Clearance
Further Information:
