Consumer Guides: Cosmetic compliance guides
Plain-English guides to UK, EU and US cosmetic rules: safety reports, notifications, labelling, ingredients and shelf life. Written and checked by qualified safety assessors.
Consumer Guides
Consumer GuidesHow Long Do Skincare Products Last After Opening? The Cosmetic Product Safety Report Behind PAO, Best Before Dates and Product Type Guidance
Learn how long skincare products last after opening, what the PAO and best-before symbols mean, and how stability, preservation, packaging and product type determine shelf life.
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Consumer GuidesHow Can I Find Cosmetics That Are Genuinely Hypoallergenic? What the Word Legally Means and How to Check a Product
Learn what “hypoallergenic” really means in cosmetic products and how to identify genuine claims. Discover how to check ingredient lists, fragrance, allergens, preservatives and supporting evidence, and understand the difference between hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, unscented and sensitive-skin products.
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Consumer GuidesHow Can I Tell If a Hair Care Product's Ingredients Are Just Marketing Claims? Which Hair Care Claims Are Testable, Which Are Regulated and Which Are Noise
Learn how to separate real hair care benefits from marketing claims. Discover how ingredient levels, performance testing, salon positioning, plant-based claims and absence claims affect what a cosmetic product can honestly say.
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Consumer GuidesWhat Should I Check to Spot Misleading Clean Beauty Claims Versus Evidence Based Formulas? Reading a Label Like a Safety Assessor
Learn how to spot misleading clean beauty claims and identify evidence-based cosmetic formulas. Discover how to read INCI lists, assess ingredient safety, understand cosmetic claim evidence, and recognise why natural, synthetic, non-toxic and free-from claims can be misleading.
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Consumer GuidesHow Do I Tell If a Skincare Brand Is Actually Sustainable or Just Greenwashing? A Safety Assessor 12 Point Check
Learn how to spot skincare greenwashing with a simple 12-point check. Discover how to verify sustainability claims, read ingredient lists, check certifications, assess packaging, and identify vague or misleading environmental claims.
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