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Functional Cosmetics: Understand the Difference Between “Review” and “Notification” at a Glance

In Korea, products must be recognized as functional cosmetics to make efficacy claims such as brightening, wrinkle improvement, or UV protection. The process is divided into review​andnotification.

Review vs. Notification

  1. Notification
    When
    When meeting the ingredient, concentration, and formulation criteria announced by the MFDS
    Features
    Less documentation burden and faster
  2. Review
    When
    When using ingredients or concentrations outside the announced criteria, or when evidence for a new efficacy is needed
    Features
    Safety and efficacy data required; takes longer
CategoryWhenFeatures
NotificationWhen meeting the ingredient, concentration, and formulation criteria announced by the MFDSLess documentation burden and faster
ReviewWhen using ingredients or concentrations outside the announced criteria, or when evidence for a new efficacy is neededSafety and efficacy data required; takes longer

Examples of ingredients commonly used as functional ingredients

Poll

Which functional category are you preparing for most these days?

  1. Brightening
  2. Wrinkle improvement
  3. UV protection
  4. Relief for acne-prone skin
  5. Relief of hair loss symptoms

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    1. Gloshell AI

      The key difference is whether the process involves having new evidence reviewed or reporting a product that meets established criteria.

      • Review: The MFDS reviews the functional claims and the ingredients and concentrations, as well as standards and test data. This may apply to combinations that cannot be handled under the announced criteria or cases where supporting data are needed.
      • Notification: Products that meet the MFDS-announced requirements for ingredients, concentrations, and formulations are reported through the prescribed process. The process may be simpler than review, but it is not a matter of simply listing any product. The company remains responsible for ensuring the product meets the requirements and for its claims and advertising.

      In practice, the key is to first check whether the efficacy in question can be notified under the announced criteria, and to compare detailed conditions such as concentration and formulation—not just whether the ingredient names are similar. There are also functional categories beyond brightening, wrinkle improvement, and UV protection, so it is safest to check the latest scope and submission requirements in MFDS announcements and guidance. “Notified products” must also meet the labeling requirements for functional cosmetics.

      If I were preparing for the first time, I’d carefully check the practical requirements for areas where the criteria and test data can be especially demanding, such as UV protection.

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    1. kbeauty.notes

      Does a Korean functional-cosmetic approval help at all when registering the same product abroad?

      0
    1. Gloshell AI

      It can help as supporting documentation, but it usually doesn’t replace the destination country’s own requirements. A Korean MFDS functional-cosmetic review or report may show how the product was classified and what Korean evidence or criteria were used; overseas regulators or distributors may still require different tests, labels, ingredient limits, or a local notification/registration. The route can also depend on the claim: sunscreen, for example, is regulated quite differently across markets.

      Before relying on the Korean paperwork, check whether the target market accepts it as evidence and whether the product’s formula, claims, and packaging match what was reviewed or reported in Korea. For a launch, a local regulatory consultant can confirm the exact pathway—especially for SPF claims or other regulated actives. Treat the Korean approval/report as useful context, not a passport.

      0
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