Center for Research on Ingredient Safety

What are cosmetic labels?

Cosmetic labels provide an overview of what the product does, the ingredients in the product, and any allergens (e.g., nut oils, etc.). Our laws require manufacturers to label all cosmetics products with an ingredient list that includes all of the ingredients that make up the final product. 
 
Some cosmetics such as products that contain sunscreen or acne medicine may contain ingredients that are considered over-the-counter drugs by regulators. In that case, the manufacturer will include a cosmetic label and a drug label that contains the active ingredient and how to use the product properly. 
 
Our laws require product manufacturers to ensure that the labeling is clear and accurate. If a product contains adulterated or otherwise fraudulent ingredients, the federal government can issue a recall to keep consumers safe. 
 

Who develops, requires, and enforces labeling standards?

In the United States, there are three main entities responsible for developing and enforcing labeling requirements: Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United State Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
 
U.S. federal government organizations aren't the only entities that require labeling; some states, such as California, have passed legislation that requires additional labeling on products sold within the state. Since most product production isn't state-specific, labeling required by specific states can be found on products available nationally.
 

What order are ingredients listed on cosmetics labels?

Regulators require manufacturers to list all ingredients found in a product from largest to smallest quantity based on weight. We need to be careful not to draw too many assumptions from the label hierarchy because many active ingredients do not require large amounts to work effectively.
 
Let's look at lotion for an example. Typically, we'll find "water (aqua)" listed as the first ingredient; this means most of the product is made up of water. Next, we may find "glycerin" which is a humectant or an ingredient that retains moisture. As we go down the list, we can get a sense of which ingredients make up most of the product. At the end of the ingredient list, we will find ingredients added in the smallest amounts for lotions that could be a preservative, artificial color, fragrance, or even an active ingredient depending on the concentration needed. 
 

Is there other information besides ingredient information on the packaging? 

Yes, cosmetics typically include expiration date information. You can learn about the preservatives needed to keep our cosmetics safe as well as how to calculate a cosmetic product's expiration date.
 

What is a marketing label?

A marketing label is a featured word or image highlighted on a product's packaging to encourage sales. Often, these words/images underscore an ingredient (or lack of ingredient) or process that implies health, safety, or effectiveness.  
 
For example, we noticed companies selling CBD-containing, marijuana leaf-shaped acne-fighting face patches intended to minimize blemishes. When digging further, we saw the patches contain salicylic acid, a well-known ingredient found in many over-the-counter acne products. While the marketing implied that CBD would reduce and treat a blemish, we know that salicylic acid is most likely responsible for aiding in blemish healing as there isn't robust literature supporting CBD treating acne.
 
Marketing labels often include redundant "trend" or "hype" labeling, such as the case with many new-to-market CBD-containing products.
 

What is "trend" labeling? 

When a fad becomes part of mainstream conversation, companies may repackage, relabel, or even reformulate a product to meet the demand. 
 
Let's look at the "gluten-free" labeling. We regularly see companies marketing shampoos and conditioners as "gluten-free." For people who have celiac disease, gluten can cause adverse health when consumed. However, there's no evidence that people with celiac disease need to use gluten-free hair products. Yet, the trend continues to include "gluten-free" labeling on many cosmetic products. 
 
The same is true for any number of ingredients or labels. 
 
Unlike government-certified labels, such as USDA Organic, government agencies do not regulate most marketing labels. The content on the marketing labels is either added by the manufacturer to call out an ingredient or certified by a third-party organization, such as the "Non-GMO Project," which requires manufacturers to meet specific standards. 
 
Marketing labels reflect neither the product's health nor safety but may call out an ingredient or an expected outcome. Remember, the required labels will provide an overview of what the product does, the ingredients in the product from largest to smallest by weight, and any allergens (e.g., nut oils, etc.). 
 
Only the regulated ingredient list labels on cosmetics reflect the safe use of the product and list the ingredients, providing you with an understanding of the product you're purchasing without the additional marketing influence.  
 

The good news.

Knowing how cosmetic labeling works helps us avoid the potential pitfalls of trend marketing labels. There are also tools and resources available to us so we can know what ingredients are in our cosmetic products and when our products are past their expiration date. We can review science-based safety reports for cosmetic ingredients at https://www.cir-safety.org/ingredients.