If you’ve picked up one of our soaps recently, you might have noticed some new (and sometimes unfamiliar) ingredient names on the label—things like linalool, limonene, or coumarin.
You’re not imagining it—this is part of a recent update to labelling requirements in Canada.
Before we get into that… how are cosmetics regulated in Canada?
In Canada, cosmetic products (like soap, bath bombs, and lotions) are regulated by Health Canada, and makers are required to follow specific labelling and reporting guidelines.
Product labels must include:
- A full ingredient list in descending order
- Ingredients written using their scientific (INCI) names
- The net weight of the product
- Manufacturer contact information
- All formatted according to specific labelling rules
But that’s not all.
Once a product has been created and labeled, makers are also required to submit a Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) to Health Canada for each product.
These forms list every ingredient used, along with their concentrations.
There’s a common misconception that this is an approval process—where Health Canada reviews each product and decides whether it’s safe to sell.
It’s not.
The responsibility for product safety rests with the maker. The purpose of these forms is to allow Health Canada to maintain a database of cosmetic products available on the market.
If a customer ever experiences an adverse reaction and reports it, Health Canada can reference the submitted form and ensure that the manufacturer has followed proper safety practices.
Many small makers aren’t even aware this step is required until they apply to sell at reputable markets—where they’re often asked to provide their cosmetic numbers, which are only issued after these forms have been submitted.
What changed?
Health Canada now requires certain scent components to be listed individually on cosmetic labels.
These ingredients aren’t new to the product—they’ve always been present as part of the essential oils and fragrance oils used to scent soaps. What’s new is the level of detail now required on labels.
What are these ingredients?
Ingredients like linalool, limonene, and geraniol are components found within scent ingredients.
Many of these occur naturally in plant-based ingredients like lavender, citrus, and other botanicals. They are present in both essential oils and fragrance oils.
For example:
- Linalool → lavender
- Limonene → citrus peels
- Geraniol → rose and geranium
Some occur naturally in plants, while others are commonly used in scent blends to create consistent, well-balanced fragrances.
👉 They are part of the scent—not something added separately.
Why are these being listed now?
These requirements are based on standards first established by the European Union (EU), where certain scent components were identified as important to disclose for transparency—particularly for individuals with sensitivities.
Health Canada has adopted similar guidelines, meaning these components must now be listed when present above specific levels.
Why do some products list them and others don’t?
You might notice that some products list these components while others don’t—even within the same shop.
This comes down to how much of a component is present.
In Canada:
- Rinse-off products (like soap) must list them at 0.01% or more
- Leave-on products (like lotions) must list them at 0.001% or more
So:
- A product may contain one of these components
- But if it’s below the disclosure threshold, it won’t appear on the label
This is why ingredient lists can vary from product to product.
What this means for you
At first glance, these longer ingredient lists can feel confusing—but this change is actually about giving you more information, not less.
Here’s what matters most:
- These ingredients have always been part of the scent
- Many are naturally occurring in botanicals like lavender and citrus
- They are present in very small amounts
- They are now listed so you can make more informed choices
For most people, this change won’t affect how the product performs or feels—it simply provides more transparency about what’s already there.
What this means for makers
For small businesses and makers, this update means more detailed labelling and formulation tracking.
Even when using essential oils, makers must now account for and disclose specific components within those ingredients when they meet the required thresholds.
While this adds complexity behind the scenes, it ultimately supports a shared goal: clear, consistent information for customers.
Our approach to scent
At Wychbury Ave Soap & Gifts, we use:
- Essential oils
- High-quality fragrance oils
- Paraben- and phthalate-free formulations
We carefully select our ingredients to create products that are both enjoyable to use and thoughtfully made.
The takeaway
While labels may look a little different, nothing about the product itself has changed.
This is simply a move toward greater transparency, helping you better understand the ingredients in the products you use every day.
If you ever have questions, we’re always happy to chat—at the shop, at the market, or online 💜