The FDA sent a letter to Allergan expressing concerns that the eyelash growth drug Latisse is being incorrectly promoted as a cosmetic product. The active ingredient, bimatoprost, clearly affects the structure and function of the body and is therefore not a cosmetic, according to the FDA definition of a cosmetic product. Interestingly, Allergan had been …

FDA Claims Popular Eyelash Growth Product is a Drug, Not a Cosmetic Read More »

A report released by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) consumer advocacy group has needlessly alarmed consumers by raising irrational fears that many popular lipstick products contain dangerous levels of lead. FDA scientists tested the same selection of lipsticks evaluated by the CSC and have determined that the lead levels present are safe and well …

FDA Study Confirms Traces of Lead in Lipstick Is Not a Safety Concern Read More »

Health Canada no longer considers aluminum or zirconium base antiperspirants as drugs under new regulations. Canada has determined that these products mode of action is “mechanical in nature” and does not correct, change or modify natural body functions. However, antiperspirants designed to reduce hyperhidrosis (overproduction of sweat) or claim to protect for more than 24 …

Canada Reclassifies Antiperspirants as Cosmetics Read More »

Manufacturers now have 15 days to respond to inspection reports to avoid an FDA warning letter. The change is intended to help the agency be more effective in protecting the public and may help to weed out bad actors from legitimate industry. According to the FDA, warning letters will also be sent out in a …

New FDA Regulations Require Companies to Respond to Inspection Violations Within 15 Days Read More »

In recent decades periodic, unverified reports of a worldwide decline in sperm count/quality and increases in testicular cancer have been blamed on ingredients found in plastics, cosmetics and children’s toys. A 2005 study performed by Dr. Shanna Swan loudly proclaimed that hormone disrupting ingredients in plastics, cosmetics and children’s toys known as “phthalates” were causing …

Bogus Study Tricks Media and Frightens Consumers Read More »

Can you believe the news media when they tell us that every day we are being poisoned by chemicals we routinely used to improve our lives? No we can’t, according to a survey of 937 members of the Society of Toxicology (SOT). This survey of toxicology professionals found that the public doesn’t get a full …

Are Chemicals Killing Us? Toxicologists Believe Media Overstates Risks Read More »

Using terms such as “contains no…” or “free of…” misleads consumers into believing the ingredient safety is questionable, when scientific evidence may show the ingredient is safe. Chris Flower of the CTPA, a UK cosmetic trade association provides this example, “in the case of parabens, we feel that people are trading on the false allegations …

“Free from …insert your scary story here…” Read More »

Despite recommendation by scientists at the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) which regulates toys, Congress recently implemented a ban on the use of phthalates in all children’s toys. The Consumer Product Safety Commission opposed the ban because “there was not a risk of injury to children” according to Dr. Marilyn Wind of the CPSC. This …

Fear and Politics Trumps Science and Rational Thinking Read More »

A media investigation by the Canada’s CanWest News claims to have found many problems with cosmetic products found on store shelves. They also claim that some of the products with labeling violations came from large companies. The most common violations were: Ingredients not listed using their proper INCI names. Inappropriate cosmetic claims, e.g. “reverses wrinkling”. …

Cosmetic Labeling Violations Reported in Canada Read More »

Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (CIR) adds two distinguished chemists to fill newly created positions on this prestigious panel, expanding it from a group of seven to nine world-class experts. The CIR is an independent body that conducts extensive searches of the scientific and medical literature, compiles the data, then reviews the information and often …

CIR Expert Panel Continues to Grow and Improve Read More »

All products containing carmine and cochineal extract must now declared this ingredient on the package label under a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruling. The FDA has revised its requirements for these color additives in response to reports of moderate to severe allergic reactions toward cosmetics and foods containing carmine and foods containing cochineal …

New Labeling Rules for Carmine and Cochineal Extract Colorants Read More »

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of about 75,000 Markwins lip gloss keychains. The reason for the recall is due to a metal clasp attached to the keychain contains high levels of lead. Lead can cause adverse health effects if ingested by young children. The lip products are being recalled have …

Markwins Recalls Lip Gloss Product Read More »