Marie Gale

Hi, I’m Marie Gale.

Helping People Understand What’s Required.

For over 15 years I’ve been researching and following the world of laws, regulations, standards and guidelines for the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry. What started as my personal quest to understand soap and cosmetic labeling for my own products has grown into a deep understanding of the many regulations that handcrafted soap and cosmetic makers are subject to.

My personal passion to assist others to understand and follow the labeling and other requirements grew out of all that research. If I had my way, no handcrafter would ever experience the stress and heartache of unwittingly running afoul of the the laws and regulations.

There is peace of mind in knowing that you are compliant with the applicable regulations. I’m here to help you achieve that stress-free relationship with your products and your business.

Whether you know it or not, you’ve been an invaluable resource for me throughout our years in business as I’ve relied on your many books whenever I have questions. I’ve recently purchased “Navigating the Rules & Regulations” and am going through it with tabs & a highlighter and am learning more than I ever expected. — Julia

Choose the right solution to fit your needs


DIY with Blog Articles & Videos

FREE

This blog has much of the basic information you need to get your labels right and comply with other regulations. Here are some pages to get you started:

If you are wondering about requirements in your state, check the State Agencies page. You can also search by subject for related articles and videos.

DIY with Books

$9.99 – $34.95

My books contain the details you need to correctly label your soaps and cosmetics and folllow the laws and regulations applicable to handcrafted soap and cosmetics. All are available from Amazon.com – just click the images below!

Complying with MoCRA by Marie Gale
Soap and Cosmetic Labeling cover
Navigating the Rules and Regs book by Marie Gale
Good Manufacturing Practices cover
300 years of Natural Soap and Cosmetic Recipes cover

Label Review

$125 per label

If you want another set of (experienced) eyes on your label to make sure it meets all the requirements, a label review is a good choice. A Label review checks your label against the pertinent regulations. You get a checklist of showing if corrections are needed (or not), along with documentation to help you understand the requirements. Label reviews take about a week. Once your review is complete, you can send the revised label and I’ll take a look to make sure everything is in order.

I wanted my labels to be as close to compliant as I could get them. I took advantage of your label review service and can’t thank you enough for your expert advice. It was money well spent! — N.M.

Consulting

$100 – $125 per hour

Consulting is the tailor-made solution to address whatever your concerns are with your labeling, GMP, MoCRA compliance, safety substantiation, and the like. Consulting can be as simple as just answering the questions you have by email, phone or online meeting, or it can cover reviewing all your labels, ingredient declarations, website copy, safety substantiation documentation, and good manufacturing practices. It’s your call – I’m here to help with what you need.

I speak on behalf of the entire team that we are all very appreciative of your work in helping us grow our brand. It is a big step for us, and you have been instrumental in making that a reality. Thank you for your help. — D.C..

  • BBB National Programs – Advertising

    BBB National Programs – Advertising

    Did you know the Better Business Bureau has National Programs? Of particular note are the Advertising Initiatives, which provide a forum for “promoting truthful, transparent, responsible advertising through self-regulation, monitoring, and enforcement.”

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  • Cosmetics That Look Like Food

    Cosmetics That Look Like Food

    Soap that looks and smells like pie. Bath bombs that look and smell like candy. Fun to do and sell – but is there a legal downside? Turns out, at least the the EU, there is.

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  • California Legislation – Microplastics

    California Legislation – Microplastics

    In February 2022, California Assemblymember Bill Quirk introduced Assembly Bill (A.B.) 2787 “Microplastics in Products.” It covers both rinse-off and leave-on cosmetic products.

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  • Cosmetic Regulation Update

    Cosmetic Regulation Update

    On May 17, the Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions) Committee introduced a draft bill which includes changes to the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act regarding cosmetics.

    Read More …..

  • New Book! Navigating the Rules & Regs

    New Book! Navigating the Rules & Regs

    New book! Navigating the Rules and Regs is finished and available at Amazon!

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  • Natural Ingredients and Products

    Natural Ingredients and Products

    So far, the FDA has declined to provide a formal regulatory definition of the term “natural” as applied to cosmetics (or food). That said, there are some standards that can guide you concerning when the claim of “natural” is appropriate (that is, not false or deceptive) for a cosmetic product. FDA – Food While there […]

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  • Parabens in Cosmetic Preservatives

    Parabens in Cosmetic Preservatives

    Parabens are a class of preservatives including methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and ethylparaben (and 17 more). They are commonly used preservatives which form the basis of several commercial preservative blends including Germaben(TM) II and Liquapar(TM). Paraben Safety Parabens have been used in cosmetic (and other) products for over 100 years. However, there have recently been safety […]

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  • Plastic Microbeads

    Plastic Microbeads

    Plastic microbeads are prohibited for use in rinse-off cosmetics. If a rinse-off cosmetic contains plastic microbeads, it is adulterated (and therefore illegal).1 21 USC 331(ddd) Definition: A plastic microbead is any solid plastic particle that is less than 5 millimeters in size and is intended to be used to exfoliate or cleanse the human body […]

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  • Rubbing Alcohol

    Rubbing Alcohol

    The term “rubbing alcohol” originally referred to alcohols that were applied to the body rather than drunk as a beverage. Especially during Prohibition, when consumable alcohol was illegal, the distinction was important. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and the United States Pharmocapeia (USP) define two different formulas for rubbing alcohol that […]

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  • Isopropyl Alcohol (Isopropanol)

    Isopropyl Alcohol (Isopropanol)

    Isopropyl alcohol (also called 2-propanol or isopropanol) is a colorless, clear, flammable liquid with a strong and recognizable odor. It is made from propylene (also called propene) which comes from petroleum.  Isopropyl alcohol is often also referred to as “rubbing alcohol” although it is not the only type of rubbing alcohol. It is highly poisonous […]

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  • Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol)

    Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol)

    When used in the naming of a cosmetic ingredient, “alcohol” is the proper INCI name for ethyl alcohol (ethanol). Ethyl alcohol—also called grain alcohol—is the consumable kind of alcohol. It’s naturally produced by the fermentation of sugars, from which we get all sorts of alcoholic beverages; beers, wines, and hard liquors. It can also be […]

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  • Talc

    Talc

    As an ingredient in cosmetics, talc has been under scrutiny for some years now. I’ve recently done a survey of the current information about talc, and here’s what I found out. Talc was originally used as “talcum powder”–the original body or baby powder. Now it has many uses in cosmetics and other personal care products; […]

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