Cosmetics glossary

Advising consumers

The language of labels

Basics:Dossiers

Nanomaterials: the dossier

They worry many consumers due to their possible toxicity for the human body. But manufacturers are also concerned, since they use them for their multiple cosmetic properties and constantly need to adapt to new regulatory requirements, often with insufficient means available. Definition(s), characterization, safety assessment and regulations, scientific studies, alerts and debates… Here is a dossier at the core of the infinitesimal of nano-ingredients.

Summer 2025 Roundup – "Ingredients" Section

What has happened over the past six months? In this “Ingredients” Section of the Summer Round-up: the overview of the SCCS Opinions and the work of the ECHA. And the list is long of substances that could thus soon be banned or restricted, threatened with CLH classification and listed as CMRs or endocrine disruptors, or even added to the REACH Candidate List. And all this in just six months…

Summer 2025 Roundup – "International Consumption" Section

What has happened over the past six months? In this “International Trends” section of the Summer Round-up, CosmeticOBS takes a tour of the global beauty markets. From the Middle East to the United States, via China, India, Indonesia, and sub-Saharan Africa, local dynamics are becoming clearer. In mature markets, brands are challenging their models: TikTok Shop is gaining momentum in the US, connec...

Summer 2025 Roundup – "Regulations" Section

What has happened over the past six months? In this “Regulations” Section of the Summer Round-up: things are changing in Europe, around the world, and in France! New environmental regulations, review of the European Cosmetics Regulation, administrative simplification and ongoing classification of CMR substances, updates to Annexes here and elsewhere, and specifics changes here and there… Once agai...

Aluminium: the dossier

It has been the subject of controversy for years, it returns particularly to the forefront of controversial ingredients when it is present in cosmetics in the form of salt. Is aluminium dangerous when applied to the skin? Is it in danger of being more strictly regulated? What are the alternatives available to formulators to address growing consumer concern? Is it possible to claim “Aluminium-free”...

Monday, July 15, 2024

Sun products: the dossier

Indispensable for protecting the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, on the beach in summer or in the mountains in winter, sun protection produc...

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

The regulation of cosmetic claims: the dossier

Since the entry into force in 2013 of Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, cosmetic claims are under tension and are constantly being examined in the light...

Monday, September 19, 2022

"1 substance, 1 assessment": the dossier

On 1 June 2022, the European Commission’s DG Environment organised an information session on the “1 substance, 1 assessment” (1S1A) initiative, which ...

Monday, September 12, 2022

Brexit: the dossier

On 29 March 2017, the United Kingdom notified its intention to leave Europe under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. From 1 January 2021, the...

Friday, February 18, 2022

Bulk : the dossier

Bulk sales have long remained a niche distribution method, confined to specific points of sale and reserved for food products. Today, it is becoming m...

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Dossier Covid 19: Crisis, trends and solutions

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Until a few months ago, no one had any idea that a pandemic of this magnitude would strike the world. Today, Covid-19 is on everyone’s mind and is par...

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

The new eco-responsible cosmetic: the dossier

Eco-responsibility started out as a trend, a commitment by a few “mission” brands before its time, and a marketing argument aimed at consumers who wer...

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Keys to cosmetic export: the dossier

French cosmetics are known all over the world. The “Signature France is a guarantee of quality and know-how from the four corners of the globe”. But t...

Monday, December 21, 2020

Cosmetics and Essential oils: the dossier

Complexes. This is the first word that comes to mind when we want to describe essential oils, whether it is their composition, their properties, their...

Monday, August 17, 2020

The new natural cosmetics: the dossier

Cosmetics, you’ll be natural or you won’t be… This mantra, which has gone from being an emerging trend a few years ago to a strong consumer expectatio...

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Product Information File : the dossier

On July 11, 2013, Regulation 1223/2009, known as the Cosmetics Regulation, completely replaced the former Directive that had governed cosmetic product...

Friday, October 19, 2018

Annex I to Regulation 1223/2009: the dossier

Annex I to Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, which regulates cosmetic products in Europe since 11 July 2013, is a fundamental section of the text. It de...