True or False about products

FDA approved or disapprove? 

Who can’t resist their favorite anti-aging cream that promises us hope in a jar? Perhaps you have seen those ads that this product will relieve “Eczema or Psoriasis.”  But how would you know if it really does? Sure, you checked out those customer reviews about the products. Allegations about a certain product may be true-but can companies advertise those promises?  Here we researched and checked out the real deal about how the FDA regulates products on the market. 

How does the FDA determine what is a drug or cosmetics? “Whether a product is a cosmetic or a drug under the law is determined by a product's intended use. Different laws and regulations apply to each type of product. Firms sometimes violate the law by marketing a cosmetic with a drug claim or by marketing a drug as if it were a cosmetic, without adhering to requirements for drugs.” 

  

The law defines cosmetics by these simple rules. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) defines cosmetics by their intended use, as "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". Among the products included in this definition are skin moisturizers, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye and facial makeup preparations, cleansing shampoos, permanent waves, hair colors, and deodorants, as well as any substance intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product. 

So what about those product that claim therapeutic claims? Here the FDA explains in details about that as well. Promoting a product with claims that it treats or prevents disease or otherwise affects the structure or any function of the body will cause the product to be considered a drug under the FD&C Act, section 201(g). FDA has an Import Alert in effect for cosmetics labeled with drug claims.

Companies may advertise or give factual information about a specific ingredient used and what its history about its uses but cannot use terms- that products will restore hair growth, reduce cellulite, treat varicose veins, increase or decrease the production of melanin (pigment) in the skin, or regenerate cells. Those terms indicate that the product may be a drug and you may want to check with your doctor before using it. 

If you happen to come across a company practicing those kinds of business techniques, simply ask them do they have FDA approval to sell that as a drug. Depending on their answer, you may not want to purchase from them or you have the right to report them.  

Sources: FDA.GOV