Does the FDA regulate the cosmetic industry?

Melissa Christenson

Being a consumer can sometimes be confusing, right? Sigh. Especially when it comes to selecting our skincare and cosmetic products. You’d think it’d be an easy decision but, to be honest, there’s a lot of contradictory information being thrown at us making it harder for us to know who to “trust.”

On one hand you have reputable organizations and reports citing that conventional cosmetic products are packed with harmful ingredients, ingredients that are often untested and unregulated by the FDA. Scientific research claiming that fragrance is just another word for “hidden toxic ingredients.” Yet, on the other hand, you’ll also find organizations and research citing that the “clean” beauty industry is a hoax, a bunch of anti-science bullsh** based on fear mongering! And that the FDA does regulate cosmetic products!

So which is it? Does the FDA regulate cosmetics? Is fragrance something to be concerned about? Is clean-beauty “anti-science”? Are you confused yet?

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