Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                Resources for Consumers on Cosmetics

Resources for Consumers on Cosmetics

                        Cosmetics & Pregnancy
          Cosmetics FAQs Home
          Cosmetics
          Resources for You (Cosmetics)
          Resources for Consumers on Cosmetics
          Using Cosmetics SafelyResources for Consumers on Cosmetics Using Cosmetics Safely
  
  	
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintImage of man shaving, and a woman applying makeup.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reminds you to get the facts before using cosmetics products.

People use cosmetics to keep clean and enhance their beauty. These products range from lipstick and nail polish to deodorant, perfume, hairspray, shampoo, shower gel, tattoos, hair adhesives, hair removal products, hair dyes, most soaps, some tooth whiteners, and some cleansing wipes. It’s important to use cosmetics products safely.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reminds you to get the facts *before*using cosmetics products.

General Tips
	Eye Make-Up Tips
	Understanding Cosmetic Labels
	Report Problems to FDAPrint & Share (PDF)

En Español

General Tips

Follow these safety guidelines when using cosmetics products of any type:

**Read the label.** Follow all directions and heed all warnings.
	**Wash your hands** before you use the product.
	**Do not share makeup**.
	Keep the **containers clean and tightly** closed when not in use, and protect them from temperature extremes.
	Throw away cosmetics if there are **changes in color or smell**.
	Use aerosols or sprays cans in **well-ventilated areas**. Do not use them while you are smoking or near an open flame. It could start a fire.Eye Make-Up Tips

There are special safety guidelines for using cosmetics in the eye area. Be sure to keep these practices in mind:

Do not use cosmetics near your eyes unless they are meant for your eyes. For example, do not use lip liner on your eyes.
	Do not add saliva or water to mascara. You could add germs.
	Throw away your eye makeup if you get an eye infection. The makeup could have become contaminated.
	Do not dye or tint your eyebrows or eyelashes at home. The FDA has provided for the safe use of silver nitrate as a color additive, in professional-use only cosmetics, to color eyebrows and eyelashes [21 CFR 73.2550]. Use is restricted to up to 4 percent silver nitrate (by weight) in a viscous gel product. These silver nitrate containing cosmetic products are not intended for use on persons under the age of 16 or for application for longer than 1 minute. Furthermore, these products are not for distribution or direct sale to consumers.Image of woman in supermarket comparing shampoos.

Understanding Cosmetic Labels

Being familiar with the product you are using is important. Be sure to read the *entire*label, including the list of ingredients, warnings, and tips on how to use the product safely. Also, be aware of the following terms that you may see on the label:

**Hypoallergenic:** Do *not*assume that the product will not cause allergic reactions. FDA does not define “hypoallergenic.”
	**Organic or Natural:** The source of the ingredients does *not*determine how safe it is. Do not assume that these products are safer than products made with ingredients from other sources. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines what it means for cosmetics to be labeled “organic.” However, there is no formal USDA or FDA definition for “natural.”
	**Expiration Dates:** The law does not require cosmetics to have an expiration date. However, a cosmetic product may go bad if you store it the wrong way — for example, in a place that is too warm or too moist. Marking the container with the date you open a cosmetic may help you keep track of the age of your cosmetics.Report Problems to FDA

The law does *not*require cosmetics to be approved by FDA before they are sold in stores. However, FDA *does*monitor consumer reports of adverse events with cosmetic products.

**Please notify FDA** if you experience a rash, redness, burn, or another unexpected reaction after using a cosmetic product. Also, please contact FDA if you notice a problem with the cosmetic product itself, such as a bad smell, color change, or foreign material in the product.

**Follow these steps:**

Stop using the product.
	Call your healthcare provider to find out how to take care of the problem.
	Report problems to FDA in either of these ways:Contact **MedWatch**, FDA’s Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

	By Phone: **1-800-FDA-1088**
		Online: File a voluntary report
	Contact the Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your area.

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      06/28/2022
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 CosmeticsResources for Consumers on Cosmetics

          
                        Cosmetics & Pregnancy
          Cosmetics FAQs
 
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop