Amazon Cosmetic Bans: What Sellers Need to Know

Selling cosmetics on Amazon can be a lucrative business—but only if you follow the platform’s strict compliance rules. To protect customers and remain aligned with regulatory standards, Amazon enforces a detailed list of prohibited products, banned ingredients, and jurisdictional restrictions that all sellers must understand and respect. Violating these rules can lead to product removal, account suspension, or legal repercussions.

Here’s a breakdown of the key restrictions every Amazon cosmetic seller should know:

Known Prohibited Cosmetic Products

Amazon explicitly bans the sale of certain cosmetic products that fail to meet safety standards or are flagged by the FDA. These include:

  • Products cited in FDA warning letters as adulterated or misbranded
  • Brazilian Blowout Acai Professional Smoothing Solution
  • Corrective and cosmetic contact lenses
  • Prescription-only or misbranded products, such as:
    • Latisse
    • Obagi C-Therapy Nightcream
    • Obagi Elastiderm Decolletage Skin Lightening Complex
    • Obagi Nu-Derm Blender, Clear, and Sunfader
    • Obagi RX System Clarifying Serum

If your product has been flagged by the FDA or resembles prescription-only items, it likely does not belong on Amazon.

Banned Ingredients in Cosmetics

Amazon also prohibits certain ingredients in cosmetic products due to safety concerns and regulatory compliance. These include:

  • Bimatoprost (commonly found in eyelash growth products)
  • Bithionol
  • Chloroform
  • Halogenated salicylanilides
  • Isopropyl Cloprostenate
  • Methylene chloride
  • Minoxidil in concentrations above 5%
  • Synthol, Synthrol, Swethol posing oil
  • Trichloroacetic acid
  • Vinyl chloride in aerosols
  • Zirconium complexes in aerosols

Using or selling products with these ingredients can result in immediate removal from the marketplace.

Jurisdictional Cosmetic Laws Matter

Amazon sellers must comply with not only federal regulations under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), but also state-specific laws. Some states go beyond federal requirements.

California

  • California Safe Cosmetics Act (2005): Requires disclosure of ingredients linked to cancer or reproductive harm.
  • California Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (CTFCA): Bans 24 specific ingredients and mandates disclosure to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Washington

  • Washington Toxic-Free Cosmetic Act (WTFCA): Prohibits:
    • PFAS
    • Formaldehyde
    • Mercury
    • Lead(≥1 ppm)
    • Triclosan
    • Methylene glycol
    • Certain phenylenediamine compounds
  • Disposable Wipes Law: Wipes must have a visible “Do Not Flush” symbol on packaging. This includes wipes for diapering, makeup removal, and personal hygiene.

Other States

  • Hawaii: Bans sunscreen products containing oxybenzone or octinoxate.
  • PFAS Restrictions: Banned in cosmetics across California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

Best Practices for Amazon Sellers

To stay compliant and protect your business:

  1. Review FDA Warning Letters: Don’t list any products flagged as adulterated or misbranded.
  2. Check Ingredient Lists Thoroughly: Cross-check your formulation against Amazon's and state-specific banned ingredients.
  3. Understand State Laws: Especially if you sell in California, Washington, or Hawaii.
  4. Label Your Products Properly: For example, wipes must have the correct “Do Not Flush” warning in Washington.
  5. Stay Informed: Regulatory laws evolve—stay up to date on changes via FDA and Amazon Seller Central.

Selling cosmetics on Amazon isn’t just about branding—it’s about responsibility. Following Amazon’s prohibited product and ingredient guidelines ensures customer safety and long-term business success.

For more information, visit Amazon Seller Central’s Health and Beauty Product Compliance Guidelines or consult your legal advisor.


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