www.fda.gov/educationresourcelibrary June 2015 1

From the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Using Cosmetics Safely 

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

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 eyelashes. FDA has not approved 

any products for permanent dyeing or tinting of your 

eyelashes or eyebrows.

COSMETICS FACTS
2

C SMETICS FACTS

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: 

1. Stop using the product. 

2. Call your healthcare provider to find out how to take care of the problem. 

3. Report problems to FDA in either of these ways:

• Contact MedWatch, FDA’s Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

1. By Phone: 1-800-FDA-1088

2. Online: File a voluntary report at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch

• Contact the Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your area. Locate one here: 

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators

To learn more about cosmetics and using them safely, visit: http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics

www.fda.gov/educationresourcelibrary June 2015

For more information, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition’s Food and Cosmetic 

Information Center at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (toll free), Monday through Friday 10 AM to 4 PM ET (except Thursdays from 12 PM to 1 PM ET 

and Federal Holidays). Or, visit the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/educationresourcelibrary