The beauty sector is experiencing rapid growth, and Amazon stands out as a leading platform for selling beauty merchandise. Statista anticipated that the global beauty market will surpass $800 billion by 2023, with beauty products ranking among the most demanded products on Amazon.
A recent survey revealed that over 70% of consumers consider Amazon their primary destination for purchasing beauty products. Selling beauty products on Amazon is a lucrative business opportunity because of the increasing consumer demand and the extensive selection of available products. Selling on Amazon may not be as straightforward as it initially appears. Before choosing to sell on Amazon, it is important to consider:
- Is your product in compliance with the regulations set by the FDA?
- Does your packaging meet the requirements for cosmetic labeling?
In this article, we will do a deep dive into every element you should consider when selling beauty products on Amazon, and guide you through best practices.
Who Must Adhere to FDA Regulations?
When considering cosmetics label requirements, it’s essential to understand which products are categorized as cosmetics according to the FDA. Cosmetics are articles intended for use on the human body for purposes such as cleansing, enhancing beauty, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the structure or functions.
According to the FDA, products such as lotions, creams for the skin, perfumes, lipsticks, nail polishes, preparations for eye and facial makeup, shampoos, hair dyes, toothpaste, deodorants, and any substance intended to enhance appearance fall under the cosmetic category, this is not applicable for soap unless it makes claims beyond merely cleansing the body.
The Fundamentals for Cosmetic Labels
True Claims
When updating the product detail pages, pay attention to how you’re presenting your product. Honest and accurate information is crucial. Manipulation or misrepresentation of the information in any way can lead to listing suppression.
Complying with cosmetics labeling requirements is required regardless of where you sell. For more information on how to correctly organize and present the information about your product, the FDA provides a helpful guide on cosmetics labeling.
Declaration of Ingredients
You are required to ensure that the label on your cosmetic product accurately discloses each ingredient that is utilized. Avoid making things complex. Instead, be open and honest about the components employed in creating your product.
When presenting the list of ingredients, the FDA offers the following guidelines: “The font size should be no smaller than 1/16 of an inch. If the available labeling space is less than 12 square inches, the font size should be no smaller than 1/32 of an inch. Labeling ingredients off the package is permissible if the cosmetic is held in tightly divided trays or racks, not enclosed in a folding carton, and the total package surface area is less than 12 square inches.”
Toxicity / Health Warnings
The FDA strongly advises cosmetic manufacturers to perform necessary toxicological or other tests to verify the safety of their cosmetics. In simpler terms, you are not obligated to test your product, but it would be unwise and potentially harmful for your customers if you choose not to do so. Suppose any potential risks are associated with your health and beauty brand’s new cosmetic product. In that case, it is crucial that you include appropriate warnings on the label and provide clear instructions for safe usage. This information must be prominently displayed on the label.
Tamper Evident Packaging
To comply with FDA regulations, certain cosmetic products, like mouthwashes and fresheners, must have tamper-resistant packaging when sold in retail settings. This can include shrink or tape seals, sealed cartons, tubes or pouches, or aerosol containers. It is crucial for the packaging to indicate if the product has been tampered with. The FDA provides specific guidelines on properly packaging cosmetic products to meet legal requirements.
Physical Address (Fair Packaging & Labeling Act)
To comply with the FDA guidelines for labeling cosmetics, it is necessary to include a complete mailing address, including the street address, city, state, and zip code. This address does not have to be where the cosmetic product was made, packaged, or distributed. It can be any suitable location, such as a main place of business, like a storefront, or any other appropriate address.
Adhere to Amazon’s rules and regulations.
Amazon’s primary requirement for the beauty category is that the items must be brand new. According to Amazon, cosmetics are defined as products that are typically applied or used on the body for cleansing, enhancing beauty, or altering one’s appearance. Cosmetics include skin creams, perfumes, lipsticks, nail polishes, eye and face makeup, shampoos, hair dyes, toothpaste, and deodorants.
To successfully sell private-label cosmetics on Amazon, describing and labeling the products accurately is imperative. The cosmetics must be packaged in their original manufacturer’s packaging, unopened, and visibly display unique codes provided by the manufacturer or distributor, such as lot numbers or serial numbers. The labels should be in English and contain the following details:
- The name of the product
- The purpose or use of the product (such as moisturizing the skin)
- The amount of content of the cosmetic in terms of weight, measure, count, or a combination
- A full list of ingredients
- The name and address of the manufacturer or distributor and any necessary label warnings
- They must not state that they cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent a disease in humans unless the FDA approves the statement.
- They must not use the FDA logo and should not say “tester” or “not for retail sale” on the packaging.
Conclusion
There surely are a variety of elements to consider when selling beauty products on Amazon. Ensuring each of these elements is addressed and taken care of will guarantee a seamless journey on Amazon. Listing suppression and restriction issues can be such a headache, and often time too time-consuming. Therefore it is crucial to ensure you’ve got everything handled beforehand.
Have additional questions and concerns? Contact our team of experts.
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