Understanding the label of cosmetic products

Cosmetic products must include information that explains what they are for, how to use them safely, and how to obtain the best result. Specifically, the EU Cosmetics Regulation requires cosmetic products to provide the following information on the label or on the packaging:

• The name and the address of the company (Responsible Person).
• An ingredients list, in decreasing order of weight of the ingredients. This is mainly intended for people who have been diagnosed with an allergy so that they may avoid ingredients to which they are allergic. The same ingredient names are used across the European Union and most countries worldwide so people are easily able to identify them.
• The nominal net.
• Any warnings that might be necessary on how to use the product safely.
• A “date of minimum durability” (“best used before the end of”) or a “period after opening” to show for how long the product may be kept or used.
• What the product is (if not obvious from its appearance).
• A reference (batch number) for product identification.
• Country of origin (for products imported into the EU).

Taken from Cosmetics Europe website.