The Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Institute of Health and Environment announced on January 13, 2026, that it had conducted safety inspections on 50 functional cosmetic products marketed in the province in 2025 as treatments for hair loss. All tested products were found to be compliant with Korean safety standards.
The inspection focused on substances of concern, including zinc pyrithione, heavy metals such as lead, nickel, arsenic, mercury, antimony, and cadmium, as well as methanol. The results showed that all tested substances were either undetected or present below regulatory limits, confirming the safety of the products for consumer use.
Among the products examined, eight were labeled as containing zinc pyrithione, while 42 were not. All labeled products contained the ingredient within permitted limits, and no zinc pyrithione was detected in the unlabeled items, meeting both usage and labeling standards.
Heavy metals in all products were found to be below regulatory thresholds, and methanol was not detected in any sample. Zinc pyrithione, which can cause eye irritation, is strictly regulated in Korea. Its use as a preservative is limited to rinse-off products such as shampoos and conditioners, with concentrations not exceeding 0.5%. For functional cosmetics aimed at alleviating hair loss or dandruff, the total zinc pyrithione content must remain below 1.0%. Its use is prohibited in all other cosmetic products.
Shin Incheol, Director of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Institute of Health and Environment, emphasized the ongoing commitment to public safety. “To ensure that residents can use cosmetics with peace of mind, we will continue conducting safety inspections on distributed cosmetics in 2026. Any non-compliant products will face immediate restrictions on distribution,” he said.
This latest inspection reinforces Gangwon Province’s proactive approach to consumer safety and regulatory compliance in the cosmetic industry.
