Cosmetic Ingredients | What's In Your Bath & Body Product?

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. I felt compelled to write this after reading so many posts that are aimed at scaring the consumer in reference to toxic chemicals in their personal care products.

You, the consumer, are a very savvy bunch of smart cookies. Read the labels on your cosmetic products and while on a company's website, read their ingredient listings. If a company doesn't list all the ingredients for a product on their website or only tout the "natural" or "organic" ingredients then I have to wonder what they have to hide.

I belong to the Cosmetics and Beauty Network group on LinkedIn that had a discussion posted that was titled "Did You Know The Average Consumer Puts 515 Chemicals On Their Face/Body Everyday?". I had to respond because statements like this are very alarming. Donna Maria, CEO of Indie Beauty posted a reply as well and in part said "Would you rather use a facial cream with a tiny amount of chemical preservative that has been proven safe, or would you rather use a facial cream with no preservative that will grow bacteria and mold that could blind you or a family member?"

What concerned me the most about the person who started this discussion was she represents a company that says they produce products with premium botanical ingredients and a commitment to pure, safe and beneficial products. The only problem I see with this statement is that they do not list the ingredients on their website, as far as I can see. If they are listed then I must need to be a psychic to find them.


Cactus & Ivy proudly lists the ingredients for every product on our website. We list the ingredients on a product label as required by the FDA Labeling Guidelines. There are a wealth of sites that provide information without using "scare tactics" to make you believe the current lotion or soap you are using will cause cancer.

As I've stated in the past, let me say this again. Cactus & Ivy is and always will be for providing safe cosmetics and personal care products. If you ever have a question about an ingredient used in our products, my door is wide open. I welcome your questions and/or feedback.

For more information on cosmetics, ingredients and regulations, check out the links below:

Cosmetics Info - "Your source for safety information about cosmetic and personal care products, their ingredients and how they are tested and regulated."

Personal Care Products Council - "is the leading national trade association for the cosmetic and personal care products industry and represents the most innovative names in beauty today."

Cosmetic Ingredient Review - "Mission: The Cosmetic Ingredient Review thoroughly reviews and assesses the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics in an open, unbiased, and expert manner, and publishes the results in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.

Truth In Aging - Organic vs Natural Cosmetic Standards

The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) - "an association of manufacturers of cosmetic, toiletry and perfumery products, founded in 1945 to promote the interests of members, primarily with government. That remit has now extended to include the European Commission and many other regulatory bodies, national and international groups.

Confidence in Cosmetics

Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a great day!





Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Deciphering a Cosmetic Label

Hey y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. It has been some time since I've posted only because I am having trouble typing with my finger injury. Here goes my re-entry into the blogosphere!


Cosmetics, whether manufactured in the United States or imported from abroad, must be in compliance with the labeling guidelines of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (FD&C Act).

Items required on a label are:

• Ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance by their INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name.

• Must state the name of the product and accurate statement of net weight. Solid, semisolid or viscous cosmetics are listed as pound and ounce where liquid measurements are listed as U.S. gallon and the subdivisions of fluid ounce, quart and pint.

• The name and place of the company distributing the cosmetic must be present. If the company is listed in the phone book, the street address may be omitted. If the company distributing the cosmetic is not the manufacturer, it must state "Manufactured for or Distributed by".
  

• Cosmetics which may be hazardous when misused must bear a warning label and adequate directions for safe use. Examples of products requiring such statements are cosmetics in aerosol containers, feminine deodorant sprays and bubble bath products for children.

• Labels bearing misleading or false information or not labeled in accordance with the labeling guidelines, may be considered misbranded and may be subject to regulatory action.

For more Cosmetic Labeling Guide information, please visit the FDA website.


You may see a period after opening (PAO) symbol on the label. It symbolizes an open jar, which designates the lifespan of the product in months, after opening. The number of months may be listed out to the right side or on the base of the image.


Manufacturers may also include a logo to indicate the product is certified vegan, organic or cruelty free. Other images you may see:
Recycle logo
The Leaping Bunny logo

Caring Consumer (PETA) logo

Cactus & Ivy is licensed to use both The Leaping Bunny and Caring Consumer logos. Each year, I must complete a statement that our products are not tested on animals and I only purchase from suppliers who adhere to the same standards.

I hope this helps you determine what is in your bath and beauty products. If you have any questions, please ask. Whether you are purchasing from Cactus & Ivy or another company, I want you to be informed. I am here to help.

Thanks for stopping by y'all and I hope you have a fabulous Tuesday!


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Cosmetic Label Requirements

Hey Y'all!!

I hope this post finds you doing well. Yep.....it's still raining and I feel like a broken record. That's all I've been saying for 6 days. My brain is so soggy that I thought Monday was Tuesday and today would be Wednesday. Confused? I am! Anywho.......

Do you know what is required on your bath and body products? The following information was taken from the FDA website:

The following (2) two factors must appear on the front panel of the label:

• An identity statement, indicating the nature and use of the product, by means of either the common or usual name, a descriptive name, a fanciful name understood by the public, or an illustration

• An accurate statement of the net quantity of contents, in terms of weight, measure, numerical count or a combination of numerical count and weight or measure
  
  

The following must appear in an information panel of a label:

• Name and place of business. This may be the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.
  
  
• Distributor statement. If the name and address are not those of the manufacturer, the label must say "Manufactured for..." or "Distributed by..."
  
  
• Material facts. Failure to reveal material facts is one form of misleading labeling and therefore makes a product misbranded. An example is directions for safe use, if a product could be unsafe if used incorrectly.
  
  
• Warning and caution statements. These must be prominent and conspicuous. The FD&C Act and related regulations specify warning and caution statements related to specific products. In addition, cosmetics that may be hazardous to consumers must bear appropriate label warnings. An example of such hazardous products is flammable cosmetics.
  
  
• Ingredients. If the product is sold on a retail basis to consumers, even it it is labeled "For professional use only" or words to that effect, the ingredients must appear on an information panel, in descending order of predominance. Remember, if the product is also a drug, its labeling must comply with the regulations for both OTC drug and cosmetic ingredient labeling, as stated above.

Take time to visit the FDA site and look around at the various topics as well as industry resources. Cactus & Ivy is registered with the Voluntary Cosmetic Registration Program (VCRP), which is a post-market reporting system. We believe in the FDA and its mission to protect consumers, while also helping cosmetic manufacturers and distributors make informed decisions. Our registration #E1002787

Thanks for stopping by y'all!! Have a great day and hope you are dry!


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

**The information contained in this post was taken directly from the Cosmetic Labeling Guide on the FDA website.