Short answer: no, retinal is not banned in Australia. But since 27 June 2026, retinal (retinaldehyde) for consumer use, including cosmetics, can no longer be imported or manufactured without an assessment certificate from AICIS, the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme. Retinal products already lawfully in Australia can still be sold and used.
If you sell, import or formulate skincare with retinal, this change affects your next order. Here is what happened, who it applies to and what to do now.
What changed in June 2026?
On 26 June 2026, AICIS published its evaluation of retinal (evaluation EVA00186). It classified retinal as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant, with the hazard statement "May damage the unborn child" (H360D).
From 27 June 2026, retinal for consumer use can no longer be introduced into Australia under the exempted or reported categories that most cosmetic ingredients use. Anyone who imports or manufactures it for consumer use now needs an assessment certificate first. AICIS has said this is not a ban.
Who does it affect?
AICIS rules apply to whoever "introduces" a chemical into Australia, which means importing it or manufacturing it here. In practice:
- Brands importing finished retinal products from overseas, such as serums made in Korea, Europe or the US, can't bring in new stock without a certificate.
- Australian brands importing retinal as a raw material can't bring in new raw material without a certificate.
- Retailers, salons and clinics can keep selling and using retinal products that were already lawfully in Australia before the change.
Retinol and retinol esters that are already listed on the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals are not affected by this change.
Is anyone applying for a certificate?
Yes. On 13 October 2026, Accord Australasia lodged an assessment certificate application with AICIS on behalf of a group of its members. It covers retinal in cosmetic products and in raw materials for making cosmetic products.
Three things to know about it:
- It only covers the businesses named on it. An assessment certificate covers the persons it is issued to, not the whole market.
- It isn't approved yet. AICIS has 70 working days to decide, and that clock pauses whenever AICIS asks for more information. A decision is expected around late January to February 2027 at the earliest.
- Conditions are likely. Certificates can set limits on concentration, product type or where the product is used.
Until a certificate is issued to you, or to a group you belong to, importing new retinal for cosmetic use is not allowed.
Can a small brand apply on its own?
It can, but it's expensive. From 1 September 2026, the application fee is $20,385, up from $18,060. You also need a full chemical dossier in the IUCLID format, and the assessment takes at least 70 working days. For most small brands, joining an industry application or reformulating is more realistic.
What should your brand do now?
- Check every ingredient list. Look for "Retinal" in the INCI list of each product you make, import or stock.
- Count your stock. Retinal products already in Australia can be sold, so plan how long your current stock will last.
- Pause new imports. Don't place overseas orders for retinal products or raw material until you are covered by a certificate.
- Decide whether to reformulate. If a hero product relies on retinal, start planning a version without it now, as development and testing take months.
- Check your claims. Whatever you switch to, keep your marketing cosmetic. Claims such as "treats acne" or "repairs skin at a cellular level" can turn a cosmetic into a therapeutic good. Our guide to cosmetic and therapeutic claims explains where the line is.
- Watch the Poisons Standard. Scheduling of vitamin A compounds, including retinol and its esters, is handled separately by the TGA. An AICIS certificate does not settle it.
Reformulating without retinal
Many brands are moving to ingredients that are not caught by this change, such as retinol or retinol esters already on the Inventory. Each option behaves differently in a formula, with its own stability, packaging and labelling needs, so treat a switch as a new formula rather than a straight swap. That means new stability testing and, for water-based products, preservative efficacy testing. Our guide to stability and preservative testing covers what that involves.
If you'd like help, our cosmetic chemists can review an existing formula or develop a new one through our private label service. If you import finished cosmetics, our AICIS compliance service at aiciscompliance.com can help you work out your obligations. For background on how AICIS works, read do you need to register with AICIS?
Frequently asked questions
Is retinol banned in Australia?
No. The June 2026 change applies to retinal (retinaldehyde). Retinol and retinol esters already listed on the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals are not affected by it.
Can I still sell retinal products I already have?
Yes. Retinal products that were lawfully introduced into Australia before 27 June 2026 can continue to be sold and used.
When will new retinal products be available again?
Not before an assessment certificate is issued. The industry application lodged in October 2026 is expected to be decided around late January to February 2027 at the earliest, and it will only cover the businesses named on it.
Does this affect skincare made in Australia?
Yes, if the maker needs to import new retinal raw material. Retinal already in Australia can still be used to manufacture cosmetics here.
This article is general information, current as at October 2026, and is not legal advice. Check the AICIS website for the latest position before you import or reformulate.