In the age of beauty gurus and makeup subscription boxes, the cosmetic industry is booming. But with that success comes strict regulatory guidelines. FDA regulations stipulate that all cosmetic products must have their ingredients declared on the label in descending order of predominance. This information panel can be on any informational panel of your packaging or on the actual container if there is no outer packaging.
Cosmetic Jar Labels
In the United States, Cosmetic Jar Labels must comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. These two laws prohibit the sale of adulterated and mislabeled cosmetics. A product’s label must contain the Statement of Identity, which is the name of the product. This can be expressed in fanciful terms or illustrative form if the nature of the product is obvious. The net weight must also be displayed on the front of the package, which is known as the Principal Display Panel (PDP).
All ingredients must be listed in descending order by their INCI number, followed by the product name. The label must include a warning statement and precautions, as well as a list of ingredients that are not suitable for children under 6 years of age.
If there is not enough space on the container for all the information, a hand pointing to a book can be used to indicate that there are more details on an insert which can be found inside or next to the container. The expiration date must also be printed on the label, unless the product is exempted by the European Union (EU) due to its minimum durability or it is a single-use item that cannot deteriorate.
Jar Labels
When it comes to labeling cosmetic products in jars, there are several options. These containers are often made of glass or acrylic and can be shaped with unique features, like a bevel or a dimensional cutout. The label for the container should feature your logo and convey your brand identity. It should also include the necessary information for your customers. The FDA regulations require that all labels on the packaging of your product meet a few key requirements, including font sizes and ingredient declarations. The ingredients should be listed in descending order of predominance, and the label must contain both the common name and the technical name for the product. The label must also be clearly visible and conspicuous, so that the required information can easily be read.
The label must also display the expiration date and use-by date of your product. This can be displayed as a “Best Before End” date or an “Open Jar” symbol with a time period (in months) indicated by the number and letter “M.” In addition, the FDA requires that you include a batch code or lot number on your cosmetic product, and if your product was imported, it must have a country of origin statement.
Cosmetic Bottle Labels
If your cosmetic product is flammable, you must include the ‘open flame’ symbol on the label as well as a warning to keep flames and high heat away from the product. Some examples of flammable products are hairspray, deodorant and nail polish remover. Your product must also include a statement of net contents, usually shown in descending order of predominance with the ingredient with the highest percentage present first. This must be clearly displayed on the principal display panel (PDP).2
The product’s identity must be declared on the Cosmetic Bottle Labels, either in the actual name of the product or – if the nature of the product is obvious – in a fanciful name or an illustration. You can also use a ‘PAR’ code to make the product’s packaging more attractive.
You must also state the amount of product in the package, usually in grams or milliliters for solids and liquids respectively. The expiration date must be printed on the label if it isn’t indicated on the container. The EU requires this information only for cosmetic products whose minimum durability is 30 months or more. However, local Trading Standards Offices decide whether or not to enforce this requirement. You must also state the country of manufacture and provide contact details for customers who wish to report a problem with a product.