Cosmetics & Personal Care Product Safety

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Safety is the most fundamental consideration when it comes to taking care of yourself and your family. If you can’t believe in a product and rely on it to do what it says, then nothing else matters. Product safety is the top priority of cosmetics and personal care products companies, and everything they do is grounded in the best science available. In the U.S., cosmetics and personal care products are regulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) under the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Fair Packaging & Labeling Act (FPLA).

Below, you can find more detailed information on the scientific processes and regulatory authority behind the safety of cosmetics and personal care products.

  • How Cosmetics Are Regulated in the U.S.
    • Cosmetics and personal care products companies take seriously their responsibility to people and the planet. They are committed to upholding strict FDA regulations and often surpass the requirements of the law with additional consumer safety measures.
  • FDA Regulatory Oversight
    • There are strong federal safety requirements for cosmetics and personal care products sold in the United States. The law requires every product, and its ingredients, be substantiated for safety before going to market. The FDA and Attorney General can take action against any company that markets an unsafe product.
  • Global Cosmetics Regulation
    • Cosmetics and personal care products manufacturers around the world work to develop safe products that help you look and feel your best. While different countries and regions employ different measures they all share one common goal: ensuring products and ingredients are safe and effective.
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
    • The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety is an independent, nonprofit scientific body, established in 1976 to assess the safety of cosmetic ingredients used in the U.S. through the CIR program.
  • Consumer Commitment Code
    • In 2007, member companies of the Personal Care Products Council instituted a Consumer Commitment Code, further strengthening FDA oversight of cosmetics and personal care products.
  • Cosmetics Ingredient Labeling
    • Proper labeling is an important aspect of marketing cosmetics and personal care products. FDA regulates labeling under the authority of both the FD&C Act and FPLA.
  • History of Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
    • Civilizations have used cosmetics for centuries in religious rituals, to enhance beauty, and to promote good health and hygiene. Learn more about these products, from the ancient Egyptians in 10,000 BCE through modern developments in the United States today.