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What About “Natural”?
Can you call a cosmetic product “natural?” And what does that really mean, anyway? Nowadays, there are so many products of all types being marketed as “natural” it’s getting crazy! I recently saw some piece of furniture marketed as “natural” because it was made (mostly) of wood. Where does it end? The first thing to know […]
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FDA Cosmetic Website Updated
The FDA recently (2014) updated the cosmetic section of their website and added some new pages that clarify regulations, particularly for small manufacturers of soap and cosmetics. Some of the most commonly asked questions are very clearly answered in FAQ format.
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Ingredient Names From 1977 Still Good?
The Code of Federal Regulations specifies where to find the names by which cosmetic ingredients should be identified in the ingredient declaration on a cosmetic. First are any names “established by the Commissioner” (there are a few) and then the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, Second Ed., 1977. After some searching, I was finally able to […]
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Using an Ingredient Name in a Product Name
Over the years, one small section in my book, Soap and Cosmetic Labeling, has probably generated the most question and online discussion over any other. That section covers “Using an Ingredient in the Name” and discusses the FDA regulations that prohibit the use of the name of one ingredient in the name of the product […]
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Getting Back in the Groove
They say that when you fall off a horse, the best thing is to get right back on. The rationale is that the longer you delay, the harder it is to overcome any fear you have from falling off in the first place. In other words, you lose your groove. Well, I can tell you […]
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More on “Lip Balm”
Last year (2012) I wrote a post (on “Drug Claims and Lip Balm“) which discussed the use of the phrase “lip balm” as the identity of a product. Unlike “lipstick” or “lip gloss,” the specific term “lip balm” is cited in the over-the-counter drug monograph for “skin protectants” as one of the approved ways to […]
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FDA Issues New Draft of Cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practices Guidelines
The FDA recently announced that they have issued a new draft guidance on good manufacturing practices for cosmetic products. This new draft is an update to the existing “Cosmetic Good Manufacturing Guidelines/Inspection Checklist“. According to the Introduction: “This document provides guidance to industry and other stakeholders on the FDA’s current thinking concerning what constitutes Good […]
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Cosmetics – Is Testing Required?
In a nutshell, no, testing is not required. What is required is that you make sure your products are safe. Actually, the FDA (and most state) regulations require that you ensure that your product is not “adulterated or misbranded.” So what does that mean, exactly? The Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (which is the law […]
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What About “Organic” Cosmetics?
Several people lately have asked me about using the term “organic” when it comes to cosmetics. Can cosmetics claim to be “organic? What about using the term “organic” in a product or company name? I did some research, and what I discovered was a little bit surprising. It seems that the FDA and the USDA […]
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More on Product Claims
The FDA continues to cite claims for ingredients and claims in referenced publications as claims for the product itself, as noted in my earlier post, FDA Cracking Down on Cosmetic Product Claims. A warning letter issued May 16th, 2013, to Matrix Health Products, is a good case in point. While the products are nutritional supplements, not cosmetics, […]
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Soapmaker’s Handy Reference Guide
(Updated 2024: This guide is out of print and not currently available.) May 2013: Not one to rest on my laurels, I’ve produced another book for soapmakers (also for cosmetic makers, even though that’s not in the name). The Soapmaker’s Handy Reference Guide was released at the Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild’s 2013 Annual Conference […]
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Botanical Names in Ingredient Declarations
In the ingredient declaration for cosmetics, botanical ingredients should be listed by the common English name. Here’s why.
Helping you undersand soap and cosmetic regulations — in plain English.
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