The market for cosmetics and toiletries in the United States reached $45.2 billion dollars in 2002. Manufacturers of these products make claims of enhanced beauty and attractiveness, better self-image, and more. Sure, everybody needs some cosmetics - shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, etc. But, do all these products live up to the claims on their labels? Are they safe to use? Will they do anything besides make your wallet thinner?

Cosmetics contain many chemical ingredients (just take a look at the label!). Among these are color additives, preservatives, stabilizers, detergents, emulsifiers, carriers and more. Most of these ingredients will not hurt you, but they may not help you, either.

• Cosmetic or Drug?
• Cosmetic Labeling - What does it all mean?
• Cosmetic Safety

Cosmetic or Drug?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates both cosmetics and drugs. It defines them by their intended uses. According to FDA regulations, a cosmetic is something that is applied to the body for "cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions." A drug, on the other hand, is something intended to "treat or prevent disease, or otherwise affect structure or function of the human body." So products like bubble bath, nail polish, hair dye or lipstick are usually considered cosmetics, while a product like dandruff shampoo would be considered both a cosmetic AND a drug.

What difference does that make?

If you are going to put something on your body, you want to know that it is not going to harm you in some way. One way you can tell is by reading the label. Both cosmetics and drugs are regulated by the FDA, but the regulations for cosmetics and drugs are different. A product that is considered to be a drug must be scientifically proven safe and effective for the claim that it makes. A cosmetic must be proven safe, but it does not have to meet any effectiveness standards.
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Cosmetic Labeling - What does it all mean?

The FDA has strict rules about product labeling. If a product lists an "active ingredient" first in the ingredients list, that lets you know that the product has been tested and approved as a drug.

Cosmetic labels can be confusing and misleading. Many of the terms used, such as "natural," "hypoallergenic," "cruelty free" and more, are not legal definitions. They are merely descriptions applied in order to market the product. If you want to know how the manufacturer defines these terms, you may have to do more research.
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Cosmetic Safety

Almost any cosmetic ingredient has the potential to cause an allergic reaction in somebody. It just depends on the person's individual sensitivities. There are millions of ways different cosmetic ingredients can be combined, so if you know you are sensitive to certain ingredients, it pays to read the label. If you experience redness, itching or other symptoms when you first use a new product, you may have an allergy to an ingredient contained in that product.

The FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition has a Web site where you can learn about specific cosmetic ingredients and find out if you are a smart cosmetic consumer.
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