Makeup Myths and Facts

Myth: Cosmetics are not regulated.
Fact: and their individual ingredients must be safe, and labeling must be truthful and not misleading. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has legal authority over cosmetics similar to its authority over other FDA-regulated products, such as foods,nonprescription drugs and nonprescription medical devices. For instance, the FDA can take immediate action to stop the sale of any cosmetic product that does not meet its standards.

Myth: Cosmetics contain dangerous, toxic ingredients.
Fact: FDA regulations require that all ingredients used in cosmetics be substantiated for safety. If this isn't done, the product's label must read: "WARNING: The safety of this product has not been determined." In the U.S., cosmetic manufacturers are required by law to establish the safety of both finished products and their ingredients.

Myth: No independent body evaluates the safety of cosmetic ingredients.
Fact: The cosmetic industry supports an independent panel of world-class medical and scientific experts, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (CIR). This scientific body examines all available data and assesses the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics. CIR publishes its findings in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Toxicology and has restricted or banned the use of hundreds of chemical ingredients owing to concerns over consumer safety.

Myth: Cosmetic and personal care products often contain substances known or suspected of causing cancer and reproductive toxicity.
Fact: No credible research has ever shown that any cosmetic or personal care products cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. Chemicals found to be human carcinogens are not used in cosmetics. In fact, very few reports of injury involving cosmetics have ever been reported.

Myth: Cosmetic companies can use any ingredient they want in their products.
Fact: By law, every cosmetic on the shelf must be safe. In the U.S., cosmetics are regulated under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which is enforced by the FDA. The FDA has the legal authority to regulate the safety of cosmetic products; however, it has comparatively little need to use its authority, because cosmetics are composed of safe ingredients and because, when necessary, the cosmetics industry has acted voluntarily to withdraw ingredients that have been scientifically shown to have the potential for adverse effects.

Myth: Skin-care products are all hype; soap and water works just as well.
Fact: The science behind skin-care products has grown in leaps and bounds over the past 20 years. Today, there is good scientific evidence behind the use of such ingredients as antioxidant vitamins, green tea polyphenols, retinoids, alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids and essential oils in skin-care products to minimize wrinkles, fade dark spots and strengthen collagen.