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YOUR SKINCARE EDUCATION HUB
Empowering You With Knowledge to Make Informed Skincare Decisions
​Learn about skin types, common concerns, industry standards, and how skincare products are regulated—all in one place.
SKIN TYPES
Understanding Your Skin
Skin type is primarily based on how much oil is produced by the skin.
While it is genetically determined, it can also change over time due to many factors.
overproduction of oil
Oily
more oil in some areas, lack of oil in other areas
Combination
lack of oil
Dry
oil-water balance
Normal
SKIN CONCERNS
Understanding Your Skin Concerns
Did you know that sensitive skin is not considered a skin type, but rather a skin concern? Learn more about each skin concern, and make narrowing your product choices down, easier.
Sensitive
heightened skin reactivity and vulnerability
Dehydration
lack of moisture or water content
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Acne
clogged follicles resulting in blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules,
and/or cysts
Hyperpigmentation
overproduction of melanin pigment
Dryness
lack of moisture
Dullness
lack of radiance and vibrancy
Dark Under-eye Circles
dark discoloration or pigmentation under the eyes
Redness & Inflammation
visibly red, irritated, and swollen
Uneven Tone
lack of uniformity in complexion
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Uneven Texture
lack of uniformity in smoothness
Fine Lines & Wrinkles
visible folds, creases, or ridges
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Scarring
difference in texture and appearance as a result from the healing process
Large & Visible Pores
noticeable openings of follicles
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Sun Damage & Photodamage
damage from prolonged and cumulative UV radiation exposure
CRUELTY-FREE, VEGAN, ORGANIC, AND NATURAL STANDARDS
Ethical Skincare Choices
Reputable organizations play a crucial role in providing transparent and reliable information to consumers.
Cruelty-free
Leaping Bunny
PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies (PETA)
Choose Cruelty-Free (CCF)
The Vegan Society
Cruelty-Free International
These reputable organizations advocate for ethical and humane practices in the beauty industry. They work to ensure that no animals are harmed or subjected to unnecessary suffering during the development, production, or testing of cosmetics and personal care products. They often provide certifications, guidelines, and resources to help consumers make informed choices when purchasing cruelty-free products.
​Vegan reputable organizations for cosmetics and personal care are entities that focus on promoting and certifying products that are free from animal-derived ingredients and do not involve any animal exploitation. These organizations provide guidance, certifications, and resources to help consumers identify and choose vegan-friendly options in the beauty industry.
Vegan
The Vegan Society
PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies (PETA)
Vegan Action
Vegan Society of Canada
Certified Vegan by BeVeg
Choose Cruelty-Free (CCF)
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Organic
USDA Organic
COSMOS (COSMetic Organic Standard)
Ecocert
Soil Association
Natrue
National Organic Program (NOP)
These reputable organizations focus on promoting and certifying products made from organic ingredients. These organizations set standards and guidelines to ensure that the ingredients used in cosmetic and personal care products are sourced and produced using organic farming practices, without the use of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Natural reputable organizations for cosmetics and personal care focus on promoting products made from natural ingredients and following environmentally friendly practices. These organizations set standards and guidelines to ensure that the ingredients used in these products are sourced from nature and that the manufacturing processes are environmentally conscious.
Natural
Natural Products Association (NPA)
COSMOS (COSMetic Organic Standard)
Natural Cosmetics Standard (NCS)
Ecocert
BDIH Certified Natural Cosmetics
NSF/ANSI 305
FDA REGULATIONS & BEAUTY INDUSTRY STANDARDS
Understanding FDA Regulations in the Beauty Industry
The FDA's authority over cosmetic products is limited. This can lead to lack of transparency, potentially harmful ingredients entering the market before their risks are fully understood, confusion with product claims, limited reports of adverse events as well as limited data on long-term effects of these products and their ingredients.
COSMETICS & FDA: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Unlike drugs, cosmetics don’t require FDA approval before hitting the market—except for color additives. Instead, manufacturers are responsible for ensuring product safety and accurate labeling. However, cosmetics are still regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) to help maintain safety standards.
RESOURCES:
Report a Cosmetic Related Complaint
View Database for Reported Adverse Events and Product Complaints
View Prohibited & Restricted Ingredients in Cosmetics in the U.S.
Court Case on the Regulation of the Term Hypoallergenic with Cosmetic Labeling
List of Common Allergens in Cosmetics
FDA DEFINITIONS:
As defined by the U.S. Law through the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act)
Cosmetic
Articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body...for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance. This includes moisturizing the skin, making the user smell nice, or deodorizing the user's body.
Examples of Cosmetics
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Moisturizers
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Face & Body Cleansers
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Shampoo and Conditioner
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Serums
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Deodorants
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Makeup
- Shaving Cream/Gel
- Lip Balm
Cosmetic & Drug
If a product has two intended uses (to cleanse, beautify or promote attractiveness as well as treat or prevent disease or otherwise affect the structure or any function of the human body), it may meet the definitions of both cosmetics and drugs. Products such as an anti-dandruff shampoo, moisturizers and makeup with sun-protection claims, as well as products that contain active 'drug' ingredients listed as a separate label and at concentrations that provide significant therapeutic benefits, must comply with the requirements for both cosmetics and drugs.
Examples of Cosmetic & Drug
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Sunscreen
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Makeup and Moisturizers that contain active sunscreen ingredient(s)
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Anti-dandruff shampoo
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Acne Treatment Products that contain active 'drug' ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid
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Antiperspirants that reduce perspiration with active ingredients like aluminum compounds
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Products that contain active 'drug' ingredients (ex: Differin Gel contains Adapalene (retinoid))
Drug
Articles intended for a therapeutic use, use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease...and articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals. This includes treating or preventing diseases, such as by killing germs, or treating skin conditions, such as acne or eczema. Even if it affects the appearance, it is still classified as a drug if this is the intended use.
Examples of Drugs
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Prescription Retinoids (ex: Tretinoin)
- Botulinum Toxin (ex: Botox)
- Topical Antibiotics for Acne (ex: Clindamycin)
- Oral Isotretinoin for Acne (ex: Accutane)
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Hydroquinone for skin lightening and hyperpigmentation
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Topical Corticosteroids for eczema and psoriasis
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