Freebies
6 Things Every Beauty Founder Should Know Before Creating Their First Cosmetic Product – A Regulatory Perspective
Before you develop your first formula, there are six regulatory realities every founder needs to understand: that cosmetics are a regulated category, what legally separates a “cosmetic” from a “drug,” how to choose which markets to build for, whether your brand mission (like “cruelty-free” or “eco-friendly”) actually holds up legally, how product category affects testing and ingredient limits, and why your product should be treated as a long-term regulatory project, not a one-time launch. A grounding read before you brief a formulator.
Labelling Requirements for Cosmetic Products – Part 1 (Regular-Sized & Single Packaging)
A step-by-step checklist covering everything your label legally needs when your product ships in a single pack: Responsible Person details, product function, warnings, batch number, country of origin, the INCI ingredients list, expiry date vs. Period After Opening (PAO), nominal content and font-size rules, and the open book symbol. Built for regular-sized, single-package products (≥5g/5ml).
Labelling Requirements for Cosmetic Products – Part 2 (Packaging Set – Outer & Inner Packaging)
The same core checklist as Part 1, but for products sold with both outer and inner packaging (like a jar inside a box, or a tube inside a carton) — for example, a serum bottle inside its outer carton. Covers what’s mandatory on each layer of packaging separately, including what can move to the outer pack or an insert if there’s no room on the inner one.
Labelling Requirements for Cosmetic Products – Part 3 (Small-Sized Packaging)
The checklist adapted for small-format products under 5g or 5ml, where space is tight. Covers which requirements still apply, which can shift to an attached leaflet, tag, or card, and the adjusted font-size and content rules for miniature packaging.
Can I Say This? Cosmetic Marketing Claims Guide
A practical breakdown of the six criteria that determine whether a cosmetic marketing claim is compliant (legal compliance, truthfulness, evidence, honesty, fairness, and informed decision-making), illustrated with four real regulatory case studies — including why “cruelty-free” claims and words like “therapy” or “medical-grade” can land a cosmetic brand in trouble. Ends with a mini-checklist for reviewing your own claims before they go live.
