Top five sites for CORRECT ingredient information

Belinda Carli, 15/05/2021

With so much misinformation on the internet, how do you know which sites to trust for CORRECT ingredient information? The original supplier is always a good source of information, but they won’t necessarily cover the ‘controversial’ information or myths associated with ingredients. It can also be difficult to get information from the original supplier if you are purchasing small quantities of materials from a distributor or aren’t a Cosmetic Chemist to know the facts from the fads… so where should you look?

These sites provide CORRECT and SCIENTIFICALLY based information – and include some sites with regulatory information providing ‘safe when used’ limits. If you want more detailed information on how to use these sites or the information they provide, please contact us about study to enhance your learning and confidence when sourcing and providing truthful ingredient information.

How do you make your product stand out in an already crowded market place, when there are so many products to choose from, and how do you formulate to the required price? This report looks at 5 Big Issues when developing cosmeceuticals, and what you need to be aware of, to help you create competitive, efficacious, stable and successful products for an ever-growing sector of the market!

 

Top Site #1: EU Commission CosIng:

Undoubtedly THE best site for correct INCI names (for labelling purposes), safety information, regulatory limits and determining the function/role of an ingredient in a product. Even though it is EU specific, this site abounds with safety information and limits to ensure safe usage of cosmetic chemicals. Also offered by the EU Commission, you can search the Opinions of the Science Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).  

 

Top Site #2: The Poisons Standard (AU SUSMP):

Access via tga.gov.au  

An Australian site showing limits on materials to be used under various Poisons schedules; cosmetics cannot contain ingredients scheduled as S2, S3, S4 or S8 and have extensive labelling requirements for ingredients classified as S5 and S6. This gives good guidance on ‘safety’ of materials for cosmetic ingredients by ensuring they are not listed on the SUSMP or used within limits specified. Even if you aren’t planning to sell in Australia, it can give you a good idea about how ‘safe’ or what warnings may be useful for certain ingredients used in relevant inputs.

 

TOP SITE #3: US FDA COSMETIC INGREDIENTS:

Provides a good, factual overview of common controversial ingredients as well as determinations and advice on their safety when used in cosmetic products. Using information from this site combined with results of searches on the other 2 top sites provides comprehensive ingredient information direct from the Regulators in 3 important regions (EU, AU and US)! 

 

Top Site #4: Cosmetic Ingredient Review:

Reviews scientific information in a rigorous manner to ensure accuracy in determining suitability and safety of cosmetic ingredients. Reports are written in a technical manner presenting full details of how determinations on safety/suitability have been made. A good reliable site for ingredient information.

 

Top Site #5: Furphies:

A great site based on scientific fact written in an easy-to-understand manner for consumers and the non-chemically minded. It exposes the top myths of cosmetic ingredients and provides consumer confidence about the safety of ingredients as used.

 

 

Remember: Regulators will hold your organisation responsible for what is said about the ingredients your product does (or does not) contain – make sure it is factual and based on scientific evidence. It doesn’t matter if another brand is saying the wrong thing – Regulators are interested in what your products claim. Make sure your information is correct and from a valid source before making a claim!

Here are some FREE videos you might find helpful to learn more:

 

Why does so much misinformation exist?

The TOP TWO things that sell products are:

·    FEAR – the fear of using something potentially harmful on your skin is undoubtedly the BIGGEST motivator to change a purchasing behaviour, so some companies sell ‘FEAR’ about ingredients they don’t use to imply their products are safer. Would you purposely use something that is known or even suspected to cause cancer? No – so if you read a compelling enough ‘story’ about an ingredient that could cause you harm, you would then be inclined to purchase a product that does not contain the suspect ingredients. You could be purchasing a product based purely on fear, rather than fact. Check the sites above to make an informed purchasing decision.

 

·     HOPE – the promise of a product providing you with an answer to your problems; whether it be whiter skin, less wrinkles or less pimples. When purchasing on hope, look for scientific evidence of clinical testing/results to back up claims to help determine if that product really will be likely to deliver on its promises and don’t over-expect from a cosmetic – they are cosmetics, not medical devices or surgery!

 

Sometimes we also see organisations so convinced by misinformation on the internet or responding to consumer concerns about misinformation (FEAR) that they seek to avoid perfectly safe materials for no good reason other than FEAR – they often believe the misinformation they are spreading and think they are actually helping inform people correctly! If you are in one of these organisations please use the sites we have provided above to find out the facts about the ingredients you may be promoting as harmful and change your marketing IMMEDIATELY if it is not compliant. It is misleading (and not compliant) to imply an ingredient or product has benefits (or harm) that it does not have. Make sure you comply and promote your products on scientifically based HOPE and you will have a much happier consumer base! 

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO TO GET IT RIGHT?

 

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Did you know that ANY cosmetic brand, even small cosmetic brands, are directly responsible for their cosmetic claims, labels and ingredient lists? To ensure compliance, enrol in our Certificate in Cosmetic Labels and Claims course which has been developed to provide the skills, knowledge and templates necessary to comply with cosmetic marketing and label requirements around the world.

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Want help with your brand or formulas? When you are a full course student and graduate, you get access to our exclusive group of professional formulators, graduates and students PLUS attend monthly live webinars with our Director, Belinda Carli, and she’ll answer your questions direct. 

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