Regulatory Science and Consumer Safety: Evaluating the Public Health Impact of China’s Cosmetic Ingredient Policies

A BSTRACT Background: As the world’s largest cosmetics market, China faces the dual challenge of stimulating innovation and ensuring consumer safety. The implementation of the Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) in 2021 marked a pivotal shift in the country’s regulatory framework. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the public health impact of the CSAR, specifically examining its effectiveness in accelerating ingredient innovation while maintaining robust consumer protection. Materials and Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods analysis, utilizing quantitative data on 272 new ingredient registrations and filings (2021–2025) sourced from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). This was complemented by qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews with key industry stakeholders. Results: Our analysis reveals three key findings: (1) The risk-based classification model significantly accelerated innovation, with annual filing growth exceeding 200% and domestic ingredients constituting 82.66% of approvals. (2) Botanical (25.8%) and biotechnology-derived (24.7%) ingredients emerged as the primary drivers of innovation. (3) The filing-dominant system, integrated with mandatory safety monitoring, successfully balances innovation incentives with consumer protection. Conclusion: The CSAR has facilitated China’s strategic transition towards a science-driven regulatory model. This study demonstrates that tailored policy frameworks can effectively promote industry growth and technological advancement while safeguarding public health.