Definition and Scope of Cosmetic Product
- Cosmetic product: Substance or preparation intended for contact with external human body parts (epidermis, hair, nails, lips, external genital organs), teeth, and oral mucous membranes.
- Purpose: Cleaning, perfuming, changing appearance, correcting body odors, protecting or maintaining good condition.
- Differentiation from medicinal context:
- Cosmetics produce temporary effects, mainly improve appearance, used regularly for maintenance, aimed at grooming and enhancement.
- Medicinal products produce permanent/drastic effects, have healing or curative aspects, used restrictively, aimed at disease treatment or cure.
Approval of Cosmetics Label Claims
- Based on:
- Definition of cosmetics
- The actual formulation or preparation
- Substantial evidence, technical justification, or clinical testing
Permissible Cosmetic Claims
- Claims allowed if supported by product formulation without invoking therapeutic claims:
- Hair Treatment
- Skin Treatment
- Nail Treatment/Cuticle Treatment
- Aromatherapy
- Revitalize/Revitalizing
- Nourishes/Nourishing skin or hair
- Makes hair healthy
- Lightening, whitening (skin and teeth only)
- Restores elasticity
- Hair bleaching/hair lightening
- Exfoliation, exfoliates
- Water-proof
Claims Requiring Technical Justification
- Allowed with submission of appropriate technical evidence and BFAD approval:
- Hypoallergenic
- Clinically tested, dermatologically-approved/tested, ophthalmologically-tested
- Mild, extra mild, gentle (for baby/infant products)
- Noncomedogenic
- Non-irritating, for sensitive skin
- Strengthens hair
- Prevents dandruff/Anti-dandruff
- All SPF levels
- Penetrates deeply
- Antibacterial
- Antiseptic (for oral and skin preparations)
- Helps repair hair/split ends
- Anti-wrinkle/Anti-ageing/Helps prevent formation of wrinkles
- Helps prevent stretchmarks
- Removes or sheds dead skin cells
- Exfoliates (chemical)
- Management of acne-prone skin
- Anti-hair loss (without reference to hair regrowth)
- Rejuvenate/Regenerate
- Anti-stress (for skin and hair only)
- Contouring/Slimming/Cellulite control (without reference to weight loss)
- Firming
- "No tears" baby shampoo
Evaluation of Non-Listed Claims
- Claims not included in the permitted lists will be subject to evaluation based on technical evidence submitted to support the claimed action, benefit, or advantage.
Applicability and Supersession
- The list of claims is non-exhaustive; new product forms and categories to be assessed against the cosmetics definition.
- Previous BFAD issuances inconsistent with this circular (B.C. No.10 s. 2002, B.M. No. 8 s. 2000, B.C. No. 23 s. 1999, B.M. No. 21 s. 1995) are superseded, repealed, or modified accordingly.
- The circular took effect immediately upon adoption on April 6, 2004.