Cosmetic Label Requirements: What Must Be on Beauty Packaging

Cosmetics are regulated, and your label is where most of the rules are enforced. Designing a beauty box means leaving room for required information and laying it out legibly. This article goes deeper on labeling than our main cosmetic packaging guide, so nothing required gets crowded out at the design stage.

Who regulates cosmetic labels?

In the US, the FDA regulates cosmetics under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA). Some products are both a cosmetic and an over-the-counter drug – sunscreens, anti-dandruff shampoos, and acne treatments, for example – and those carry additional Drug Facts labeling.

What a compliant cosmetic label includes

Requirements vary by product, but a retail cosmetic label generally shows:

• The product identity (what it is) on the front panel.
• The net quantity of contents.
• An ingredient list, usually in INCI names, in descending order of predominance.
• The name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.
• Any required warning or caution statements, and directions for safe use.

Ingredient declarations (INCI)

Retail cosmetics must list ingredients using INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) names, ordered from most to least by amount. On small packages this is the hardest part to fit legibly, so plan the panel space for it early – it is a common reason a dieline needs adjusting.

What MoCRA changed

The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA), enacted in 2022, added requirements for many cosmetic businesses – including facility registration, product listing, safety substantiation, and adverse-event reporting, with fragrance-allergen labeling addressed through rulemaking. It is the biggest update to US cosmetics regulation in decades, so check how it applies to your business.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Verify current FDA and MoCRA requirements for your specific product before you print.

Frequently asked questions

Design a compliant beauty box

Send us your product and we will lay out a dieline with room for every required element. Start with our full cosmetic packaging guide, then request your free quote or contact our team.