The Full Ingredient List and the 1% Rule How to read a cosmetic label
Every cosmetic sold in Korea lists its ingredients in order of amount. But anything under 1% can be listed in any order. Here is how to read a label accurately, based on the MFDS rules.
Based on MFDS Cosmetics Act Article 10 · Updated May 2026
Every cosmetic sold in Korea must list all of its ingredients in order of amount under Article 10 of the Cosmetics Act. The 1% rule complicates that picture, since ingredients below 1% do not have to follow the order. That makes it hard to read exact amounts off a label. This guide explains how to read a label accurately, based on the MFDS notices.
The basic rules for the full ingredient list
These are the labeling rules under Article 10 of Korea's Cosmetics Act and Schedule 4 of the enforcement rules.
Every ingredient must be listed. Everything down to 0.01% has to appear.
Listed in order of amount. From the most to the least.
INCI names or Korean standard names. The same ingredient is written under one consistent name.
Ingredients at 1% or less, and colorants, can be listed in any order. This is the 1% rule.
The 26 allergenic fragrances must be listed separately once they pass a set concentration.
What the 1% rule means
The 1% rule means that ingredients below 1% do not have to be listed in order of amount. So within that sub-1% zone, the label order may not match the real order by amount.
In this example, everything after phenoxyethanol is most likely below 1%. Phenoxyethanol has a usage limit of 1% under Korea's cosmetics law, so the ingredients listed after it are assumed to be at or below 1%.
So even when retinol appears ahead of EDTA on the label, there may actually be more EDTA in the formula. Within the sub-1% zone, you cannot read the exact order by amount off a label.
Clues for estimating the amount
The 1% rule keeps the exact amounts out of reach, but a label still offers clues for finding the 1% line.
Ingredients that mark the 1% line
Ingredient
Typical use level
What it tells you
Phenoxyethanol
0.5–1% (Korean limit 1%)
Preservative. Most things after it are below 1%.
Xanthan Gum
0.1–0.5%
Thickener. Everything after it is definitely below 1%.
EDTA / Disodium EDTA
0.05–0.2%
Chelating agent. Everything after it is well below 1%.
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
0.05–1%
Antioxidant. Generally below 1%.
Fragrance / Parfum
0.01–1%
Usually below 1%. A separately listed allergen hints at its level.
Typical levels for key active ingredients
Where the active sits on the label is the heart of estimating how well it works.
Ingredient
Effective level
Likely spot on the label
Niacinamide
2–10%
Within the top 5
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
5–20%
Top 5
Retinol
0.025–1%
Usually below 1%, so position alone is a poor guide. Check for a separate listing.
Salicylic Acid (BHA)
0.5–2%
Capped above 2% in Korea
Hyaluronic Acid
0.1–2%
Often below 1%, yet it still works
Peptides
0.05–5%
Mostly below 1%
The 26 allergenic fragrances
The EU and Korea's MFDS single out 26 fragrance ingredients with a reported potential to trigger allergies. Once any of these pass a set concentration, they carry a separate-listing requirement.
Rinse-off products list them above 0.01%.
Leave-on products list them above 0.001%.
The 26 in question (written in English on the label):
A practical tip. If the label lists Fragrance plus a few of these 26 on their own, it means those ingredients are present at or above the required level. If you have a fragrance allergy, always check for these listings.
Watch for labeling differences when buying from abroad
Country / region
How it is labeled
Korea
Korean standard name, with INCI alongside allowed. Order by amount plus the 1% rule.
EU / UK
INCI only. Order by amount plus the 1% rule. The 26 allergens are mandatory.
United States
INCI or common names. Order by amount plus the 1% rule. The FDA has separate colorant rules.
Japan
Japanese names. Order by amount plus the 1% rule.
Products bought from abroad mostly carry English INCI labels, so you can look up the Korean names in the MFDS Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary (KCID) to check them.
The catch behind free-from claims
Labels such as paraben-free or alcohol-free are marketing phrases. A few things are worth knowing.
Alcohol-free usually means there is no denatured alcohol (SD Alcohol). Fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol or cetearyl alcohol may still be present. These act as moisturizers and rarely cause irritation.
Paraben-free means other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol or ethylhexylglycerin are used instead of parabens. It does not mean there are no preservatives at all.
Natural has its own certification standard in Korea, but the general label is voluntary, so it does not mean 100% natural.
Clinically tested is worth a second look to see which trial it was and what it found. Most are tests for low irritation rather than tests that confirm an effect.
Editorial Tip
Look for the line, not the order
"When you read an ingredient list, do not pick apart the order item by item. Find where a boundary ingredient like phenoxyethanol or xanthan gum sits, and the answer comes faster. Above it is 1% or more, and below it is under 1%."
— Beauty Dupe Editorial
Frequently asked questions
Is it a good sign when water is listed first?
Water naturally tops the list in water-based products like toners, serums and lotions. If water is missing, the formula is probably oil-based or silicone-based and water-free. What matters more than whether water comes first is the makeup of the ingredients that follow it.
If an active sits below the top five, does it do nothing?
It depends on the ingredient. Peptides and retinol work even below 0.1%, so they can help even when they sit below the top five. Niacinamide and vitamin C are the opposite. They need around 2 to 5% or more, so they should appear near the top of the list.
Why does the 1% rule exist?
It is an international standard that accounts for the fact that the amounts of key ingredients are trade secrets, along with the cost of measuring trace ingredients precisely. The EU, the United States and Korea all apply it the same way.
Is there any way to know the exact concentration?
Manufacturers sometimes disclose it voluntarily. Some dermatology-focused brands print the concentration of key ingredients on the package. You can also look up typical usage ranges in the MFDS Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary.
Skin Warning
Labels like paraben-free, alcohol-free or natural do not automatically mean a product is safe. If you have a history of allergies, always check whether the 26 fragrances are listed on their own.
Sources
Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetics Act Article 10 (Labeling and Display)
Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetics Act Enforcement Rules Schedule 4 (Labeling and Display Method)
Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Regulation on Safety Standards for Cosmetics (Usage Limits)
Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary (KCID)
EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 — Annex III (the 26 allergens)
Disclaimer · This guide is general information and does not replace an analysis of an individual product's ingredients. For accurate ingredient information, check the product package and the manufacturer's official materials.
