Cosmetic Product Labeling

This is a basic overview of the requirements in Cosmetic Product Labeling to get you started in creating your first cosmetic label.

For the full overview at the FDA, read the Cosmetic Labeling Regulations.

In brief, the label for a cosmetic must contain:

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Overview

  • What is it? Product identity

  • Net Contents (how much is in the package)

  • Ingredient declaration (what it's made of)

  • Any required warning labels

  • Name and Place of Business

  • Distributor Statement

  • Material Facts

The principal display panel is the part of the cosmetic packaging that is displayed to customers. Must have:

  • Name of the Product

  • Nature of Use

  • Net quantity of contents

  • Name and Full Address of Business

  • Manufacturing, Distribution and Import designation

Type:

Each label font size should adhere to the FDA standards for type size based on contents.

Type Size Ingredients: (Based on the lower case “o” of the font you use)

  • 1/16"

  • 1/32" (Labeling surface, less than 12 sq. in.)

Type Size Net Contents:

  • 1/16" (PDP less than 5 sq. in.)

  • 1/8" (PDP 5-25 sq. in.)

  • 3/16" (PDP 25-100 sq. in.)

Check the FDA Labeling Requirements

PDP

identity

The Statement of Identity should

  • Display the product name and then describe your product by its common name (balm, lotion, cream etc.)

  • be bold and prominent on the packaging

Check the FDA Labeling Requirements

net contents

Accurately display the net contents of your product:

  • In the bottom lower 30% of the product

  • Parallel to the bottom of the label

  • Must be obvious and written separate from other elements of the packaging

How to display your net contents:

  • If liquid, must be in US gallons, quart, pint or fluid ounce

  • If multiple items are in the container, must have numerical count

  • If more than a pound or pint, but must have the additional ounces

  • Can have the metric system measures and weights

Examples:

  • Net Wt. 6 Oz. [or] 6 oz. Net Wt.

  • Net Contents 6 fl. Oz. [or] Net 6 Fl. Oz. [or] 6 Fl. Oz.

  • Net Wt. 1/4 Oz. [or] Net Wt. 0.25 Oz.

  • Net 1/8 Fl. Oz. [or] 0.12 FL. Oz.

  • Net Wt. 24 Oz. (1-1/2 Lb.)" [or] Net Wt. 24 Oz. (1.5 Lb.)

  • Net 56 Fl. Oz. (1 Qt. 1 Pt. 8 Fl. Oz.) [or] ... (1 Qt. 1-1/2 Pt.) [or] ... (1 Qt. 1.5 Pt.)

Check the FDA Labeling Requirements

ingredients

Cosmetics produced or distributed for retail sale to consumers for their personal care are required to bear an ingredient declaration (21 CFR 701.3).

  • Must be obvious and able to read by customers when purchasing

  • Must be 1/16 (1.57 mm) of an inch in height [21 CFR 701.3 (b)] or 1/32 (0.79 mm) of an inch of the label is less than 12 square inches. Regulators use the lower case ”o” for the measurement.

  • “Off-package ingredient labeling is permitted if the cosmetic is held in tightly compartmented trays or racks, it is not enclosed in a folding carton, and the package surface area is less than 12 square inches (21 CFR 701.3(i)).”

  • Must be written in order of heaviest to lightest use; using established the common or proper names

  • Must be in English

Check the FDA Labeling Requirements

Name + Address

  • Corporate name

  • Manufactured for... (Distributor is not the manufacturer or packer)

  • Distributed by... (Distributor is not the manufacturer or packer)

  • Address: The address should include the street address, city, state, and zip code.

  • Principal place of business

  • Country of origin

    Check the FDA Labeling Requirements