With so many people selling and buying personal care products and cosmetics be sure to check if the products are labeled correctly before purchasing.  I have purchased items in the past and have seen many products that only have the following  information on the label:  SHOWER GEL - Jasmine - 8 oz and a logo or company name.

Where is the contact information? What ingredients are in this product? Are their any warnings I should be aware of? How should I use it?

All of the answers to these questions should be available on the product labeling itself.  Whether it is a name brand product or homemade product.  If it is a cosmetic, being retailed (sold for money), then the manufacturer (maker) is responsible for following the FDA Cosmetic Labeling Rules and Regulations.

Proper labeling is an important aspect of marketing a cosmetic or personal care product.  Labeling is used to help inform consumers of a product's intended use and any related warnings, its ingredients and net quantity of contents, and its place of manufacture or distribution.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates cosmetic labeling under the authority of both the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Fair Packing and Labeling Act (FPLA).  These laws and their related regulations are intended to protect consumers from health hazards and deceptive practices and to help consumers make informed decisions about the personal care products they purchase.  

Here is a quick checklist of items that should be labeled on the product:

• Product Name
• Net Quantity of contents
• Name and Place of Business (City, State & Zip)
• Material Facts: Example - Directions for safe use is a cosmetic product has the potential to be misused.
• Warnings and Caution Statements
• Ingredients - Must be labeled on the product and appear in descending order of predominance.

Be sure and check products before you purchase them.  Even if they have listed all of the above information in their listing, it still must be on the actual product.  Ask sellers what information is provided on the labels, if an actual picture of the product is not available for your review.

For more information please visit the FDA Cosmetic Website.