Anti-Aging, Rejuvenating, and Repairing Claims

older woman

In 1988, the FDA issued Import Alert 66-38 titled “Skin Care Products Labeled as Anti-Aging Creams” which clearly stated that exaggerated ‘anti aging’ claims could cause a product to be an unapproved new drug. Import Alert 66-38 was the basis for understanding restrictions on cosmetic claims like anti-aging, rejuvenating and repairing. That Import Alert was withdrawn at the end of 2017.

What does that mean?

First, a Little History

Back in the 1960’s and early 1970’s a number of products came out which were touted to get rid of wrinkles, provide a “face lift without surgery,” and similar claims. No doubt that was of concern to the FDA, because they initiated action against a number of companies, several of which ended up in court.

Out of those court cases came some important legal decisions which have shaped the cosmetic industry in the years following:

For example, in one court case, the following statements caused the product to be considered a drug, even though the advertising stated that the effect of the lotion was temporary.

  1. Whether a product is considered a drug can be affected by statements about the product (not just what it can do).
    • packaged under biologically aseptic conditions
    • the lotion is “super-active”
    • creates a “tingling sensation” when “at work”
    • not a “hormone” or a “harmful drug”
  2. It is how the claim might be understood by the “ignorant, unthinking or credulous” consumer that is key in determining whether the product is a drug or cosmetic.
    • In other words, if the consumer thinks it will work like a drug, then it is likely to be an unapproved drug.
  3. “Claims which have become so associated with the familiar exaggerations of cosmetics advertising that virtually everyone can be presumed to be capable of discounting them as puffery,” do not render a product a drug.
    • In other words, since there are so many extravagant claims out there already, the consumer can tell the difference and knows it’s just going to make her look better—not cure or treat as a drug would.

Even with these court cases, the FDA issued a series of warning letters in the late 1980’s and issued Import Alert 66-38 in 1988. However, in the ensuing 30 years, they haven’t interpreted the law quite so strictly (unless there were other statements which pushed the product firmly into the drug category).

Evolution of Cosmetics

Since 1988, cosmetics have evolved dramatically, as have consumers. In 1969, claims of a product being “astringent” were drug claims; now that is a purely cosmetic claim. Similarly, and again in 1969, claiming that a product “nourishes the skin” was considered a drug claim; now it is a common claim for cosmetics.

Both the FDA and consumers have come to understand that a wide array of cosmetic products exist that do, in fact, have more than a superficial effect on the body—but only slightly more. Moisturizing, firming, toning, brightening, lifting, etc., all do make some minor change to the body, but their intent is to enhance beauty and the effects are short-lived. Consumers know they aren’t drugs and aren’t using them as such; they just want to look better.

Withdrawal of Import Alert 66-38

Obviously, the cosmetic and skin-care market has changed since 1988. Maybe the FDA’s withdrawal of Import Alert 66-38 is an acknowledgment of that fact. Maybe it is part of the push by the Trump Administration to reduce down the number of regulations.

Whatever the reason, it is a move in the right direction as it gives a little bit better insight into the edges of the gray area between “definitely cosmetic” and “outright drug” claims.

Take-Away

Import Alert 66-38 has been withdrawn. It specifically cited claims that a product would “counteract,” “retard,” or “control” the aging process or that it would “rejuvenate,” “repair,” or “restructure” the skin, could cause a product to be an unapproved new drug. Now that the alert is withdrawn, it’s probable that things might be a little more loose on the claims in that area.

However, the regulations and the laws have not been changed.

Cosmetics are:

  • articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance, and
  • articles intended for use as a component of any such articles; except that such term shall not include soap.

Drugs are:

  • articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals; and
  • articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals;

There is no doubt that a gray area exists between cosmetic claims and drug claims. If you are making cosmetics, for your own sake, make sure you stay on the cosmetic side of the spectrum.

Consumers can see through much of the puffery and hype, but it’s your job to make sure that when they read your label and marketing material, they know that your cosmetic product is just intended to make them look better.

Navigating the Rules and Regs book by Marie Gale

Besides labeling, there are many other laws and regulations that apply to handcrafters. To find out which ones apply to you and how to comply with them, buy my book and keep it handy!

Comments

11 responses to “Anti-Aging, Rejuvenating, and Repairing Claims”

  1. Hi Marie Gale, so calling a cream “anti-aging cream” is ok ? as well as “Repair Cream” and “Rejuvenate” are ok as well? i also have been reading alot from fda about supplements and using words like “supports immune system ” is ok to use. i wonder if ” immune booster” is?

    1. Marie Gale

      Anti-aging, repair, and rejuvenate are what I would class as “borderline.” They MAY be okay, but it really depends on the context in which the words are used. Remember, it’s not about the words themselves, it’s about what the consumer thinks the product is intended to do. If the consumer thinks it will do anything to the actual function or structure of the body, then it would be more than just a cosmetic. It would be a drug.

      Using the phrase “supports immune system” is definitely a DRUG claim when it comes to cosmetics. What can be said about supplements (which are ingested) and what can be said about cosmetics (which ONLY improve appearance, beautify, and cleanse) is COMPLETELY different. Do NOT use supplement labels and advertising as an example of what you can do with a cosmetic product.

  2. can i say my shampoo and conditioner is for oily hair or dry hair? where does cosmetic and drug start and end when it comes to hair types? thank you!!

    1. All shampoo and conditioner are basically cosmetics (since they are “cleansing” and “making more attractive”). Saying a shampoo is better for oily or dry hair is fine, and a good idea.

      It’s only when you get into saying that the shampoo or conditioner will treat some scalp condition—or grow more hair 🙂 —that you get into trouble.

  3. Denise Ratcliffe

    I just made a muscle salve that I’m planning to list on Etsy. Is it ok to say that it soothes the muscles? I’m so afraid to say anything. Thanks!

    1. Marie Gale

      A product that is intended to soothe muscles is intending to “treat” and/or to alter the physical function or structure of the body. It would be an unapproved new drug.

  4. Keith Bender

    Is a “Whip Soap Sugar Scrub” considered a cosmetics no claims to beautify or anything?

    1. Marie Gale

      A “whip soap sugar scrub” is a cosmetic. Even if the soap used is lye/oil, it is not exempt from the definition of a cosmetic because the intended use is as a scrub (exfoliant), not just cleansing.

      Exfoliants are used to cleanse and improve appearance, so an exfoliant is a cosmetic.

      Don’t make any claims that it will cure anything. Doing that would make it an unapproved new drug.

  5. If you use the word rejuvenating in a product title is it considered a drug claim? What about use of the word in the product description?

    1. Marie Gale

      Generally “rejuvenating” doesn’t appear to be a drug claim when used all by itself, but you would need to watch out for other descriptive terms that could imply that the rejuvenation is more than just on the surface and in appearance only. Things like describing the ingredients as nutritive, anti-oxidants, vitamins, etc.; those all imply that any rejuvenation is actually being done at a structural level.

      It’s not just the single word (most of the time). It’s the overall description and information and whether that communicates that the intended use is to alter the function or structure of the body (a drug) or whether it is just to improve appearance (a cosmetic).

  6. Hi Marie, thank you so much for the update. It can be hard to keep up with changing legislation. Appreciate it!

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