By The Eye desk · Last verified 7 October 2026
Skincare sold in Singapore is regulated as a cosmetic by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), and its label must be in English and show the product’s name and function, instructions, a full ingredient list, country of manufacture, contents, batch number, a manufacturing or expiry date, any special precautions, and the name and Singapore address of the company responsible. An expiry date is required when the product keeps for less than 30 months. Ingredients are listed from most to least by weight, except that those under 1% may follow in any order. The little open-jar symbol with “6M” or “12M” is the period after opening, an EU labelling rule you will see on many imported products.
Once you know the pattern, a label stops being small print and becomes a quick, friendly guide to what is in the jar and how long it will treat you well.
Quick facts
- HSA regulates cosmetics under the Health Products Act, in line with the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive.
- Companies must notify HSA before selling a cosmetic, but HSA does not pre-approve or evaluate products before sale.
- Labels must be in English and legible.
- Ingredients appear in descending order by weight; those below 1% and colourants may be listed in any order after the rest.
- An expiry date is compulsory for products that keep for less than 30 months.
- The open-jar symbol (for example “12M”) shows how long a product keeps after opening.
What must be on the label
| Label item | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Product name and function | What it is and what it is for, such as a cleanser or moisturiser |
| Instructions for use | How and how often to apply |
| Full ingredient list | Everything in it, most to least by weight |
| Country of manufacture | Where it was made |
| Contents | Weight or volume |
| Batch number | The production run, useful if there is a recall or complaint |
| Manufacturing or expiry date | Expiry is required if the product keeps for under 30 months |
| Singapore company name and address | Who is responsible for the product here |
| Special precautions | Warnings, such as avoiding the eyes |
If a small tube or jar has no room, the details may sit on the outer box, a leaflet or a tag, but the product name and batch number must be on the container itself. Keep the box until you finish the product.
How to read the ingredient list
Ingredient names follow international cosmetic naming, which is why water appears as “Aqua” and plant extracts appear under their Latin genus and species. Fragrance may simply be listed as “perfume” or “parfum”.
- Read the first five or so: they usually make up most of the product.
- Find the star ingredient: if a cream is sold on, say, niacinamide or vitamin C, see where it sits. Below the preservatives usually means a small amount.
- Remember the 1% line: after the 1% point, order no longer reflects quantity, so position tells you less.
- Check what you avoid: if you react to fragrance or a particular ingredient, scan for it by name.
- Patch test new products, especially strong actives, on a small area first.
Expiry dates and symbols
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| “EXP” or “Use by” with a date | Expiry date; required in Singapore for products keeping under 30 months |
| “MFG” or “MFD” with a date | Manufacturing date |
| Open jar with “6M”, “12M”, “24M” | Period after opening: use within that many months of first opening |
| A code such as “LOT” or “B” followed by letters and numbers | Batch number; some brands encode the production date in it |
A simple habit: write the date you opened a product on the base with a marker. If a cream with a “12M” symbol is opened in October 2026, plan to finish it by October 2027. Throw out anything that changes smell, colour or texture, whatever the date says.
Buying online and from overseas
Products bought from overseas sites may not carry a Singapore company’s details and have not been notified to HSA. HSA’s rules require companies to check ingredients against the ASEAN lists of prohibited and restricted substances, which include limits on mercury. Be wary of products, often sold online, that promise dramatic whitening or fast results, carry no ingredient list, or have labels only in a foreign language. If you suffer a bad reaction, stop using the product, see a doctor, keep the packaging, and report it to HSA.
The WahLiao Verdict
Read three things before you buy: the first five ingredients, where the headline ingredient sits, and the expiry or open-jar symbol. Choose products that show a Singapore company’s name and address, because that is someone accountable here. Date your products when you open them, keep the box, and let a change in smell or texture overrule the calendar.
Questions people ask
Does HSA approve every skincare product?
No. Companies must notify HSA before selling, and they are responsible for safety and compliance. HSA does not evaluate products before they go on sale, though it can act when problems arise.
Why does my moisturiser have no expiry date?
An expiry date is only compulsory for products that keep for less than 30 months. Longer-lasting products may show a manufacturing date instead, and imported ones often carry an open-jar symbol.
Is “Aqua” just water?
Yes. Cosmetic labels use international ingredient names, so water is “Aqua” and plants appear by their Latin names.
Where do I report a reaction to a product?
See a doctor first, then report it to HSA through its adverse event reporting channels, with the product, batch number and receipt if you have them.
Sources: Health Sciences Authority, regulatory overview of cosmetic products; Health Sciences Authority, labelling requirements for cosmetic products; Health Products Regulatory Authority (Ireland), EU period-after-opening symbol and the 30-month rule. The Eye explains; it does not endorse.
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For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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