Are Your Beauty Products Properly Advertised?

The Food Drug and Cosmetic Act defines cosmetics as articles intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions. Included in this definition are products such as skin creams, lotions, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye and facial make-up preparations, shampoos, permanent waves, hair colors, toothpastes, deodorants, and any material intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product.

According to a study done by Valdosta State University, four out of five beauty care brands do not deliver their own claims. Using misleading advertisement, these brands are claiming that their products can make beauty miracles without substantiation. In the previous study mentioned, the authors examined 757 claims by beauty and personal care brands from 300 full-page ads. These ads are from popular magazines, such as Vogue, Marie Claire, and Glamour. All the claims in the ads are classified into four labels: outright lie, omission, vague, and acceptable. According to the study, out of the 757 claims, 621 are only claims, 18% of the claims are acceptable, while only 14% of the claims are trustworthy.

Types of Deceptive Advertising

Deceptive advertising and labeling take many forms when it comes to beauty products but some recent trends include:

1. Labeling Products as Clean that Contain Toxic Chemicals
2. Labeling Products as Vegan when they Contain Beeswax or other Animal Byproducts.
3. Labeling Products as “Oil Free” That Actually Contain Oil
4. Labeling Phyto-Retinol Products as Retinol

If you have purchased beauty products and believe you may have been the victim of false advertising and fraud, our attorneys are happy to provide a free consultation.

There is no cost or obligation associated with the case evaluation, so submit your information now.