verification seals, use of seals on products not approved, or failure of the organization to follow up and verify compliance with verification standards. Methodologies described for third party verification programs are often based on documentation only and do not cite independent clinical or laboratory research. As a result, misleading or incorrect statements made on company packaging or websites are often replicated without interpretation.
Adherence to standardized labeling practices within the ingredient declaration section for cosmetic package labeling is one of the only ways to ensure that contents of a cosmetic product can be fully assessed by professionals for risks and benefits of individual chemical ingredients. While not entirely consumer-friendly, this standardized methodology also helps to ensure users of the products can identify ingredients that they seek to avoid. Failure of companies to comply with recommendations and governmental standards has the potential to not only confuse and mislead both professionals and patients, but also place the latter at risk for severe allergictype reactions.
DISCLOSURES
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
REFERENCES
1. Code of Federal Regulations Sections for Cosmetic Labeling, 21 C.F.R. § 701 (2017).
2. Nikitakis J, Lange B. International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook. 16th ed. Washington, D.C: Personal Care Products Council. 2015.
3. Sephora. What is clean at Sephora? Clean at Sephora: Excluded Ingredients. Available at: https://www.sephora.com/beauty/clean-beauty-products. Published 2019. Accessed October 11, 2019.
4. EWG’s Unacceptable List: Personal Care Products. Environmental Working Group. Available at: https://static.ewg.org/ewgverified/docs/EWG_License_ Unacceptable_List_C01.pdf. Accessed October 14, 2019.
5. EWG's Licensing Criteria: Personal Care Products. Available at: https:// static.ewg.org/ewgverified/docs/EWGVERIFIEDcriteria.pdf. Published 2015. Accessed October 14, 2019.
6. INCIDecoder. Available at: https://incidecoder.com. Accessed October 14, 2019.
2. Nikitakis J, Lange B. International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook. 16th ed. Washington, D.C: Personal Care Products Council. 2015.
3. Sephora. What is clean at Sephora? Clean at Sephora: Excluded Ingredients. Available at: https://www.sephora.com/beauty/clean-beauty-products. Published 2019. Accessed October 11, 2019.
4. EWG’s Unacceptable List: Personal Care Products. Environmental Working Group. Available at: https://static.ewg.org/ewgverified/docs/EWG_License_ Unacceptable_List_C01.pdf. Accessed October 14, 2019.
5. EWG's Licensing Criteria: Personal Care Products. Available at: https:// static.ewg.org/ewgverified/docs/EWGVERIFIEDcriteria.pdf. Published 2015. Accessed October 14, 2019.
6. INCIDecoder. Available at: https://incidecoder.com. Accessed October 14, 2019.
AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE
David A. Mays PharmD MBA David.Mays@sciengages.com
