Notification of Cosmetics: Examples of cosmetics and products not considered to be cosmetics
Although not exhaustive, this section provides examples that may be useful in determining whether your product is a cosmetic. For further guidance, contact the Consumer Product Safety Program.
Examples of cosmetics
Topical products
- Adhesives for artificial nails, hair extensions, etc.
- Artificial nail builders
- Cleansing wipes
- Concealers
- Lotions containing sunscreen ingredients without representation related to sun protection
- Makeup products
- Moisturizers including tinted moisturizers
- Moisturizing lotion
- Soaps
Hair care
- Hair products containing UV filters
- Regular shampoos
Oral care
- Breath fresheners that are not swallowed
- Dentifrices
- Tooth whitening products
- Toothpastes without fluoride that are represented solely to freshen breath, clean and whiten teeth
Other products
- Tattoo inks
- Feminine douches
Examples of products that are not considered cosmetics
Articles, devices or topical drugs
- Acne treatments
- Antidandruff shampoos
- Artificial nails and tips used with adhesive
- Collagen or "Botox" injections
- Hair, eyelash, eyebrow extensions used with adhesive
- Hand sanitizers
- Laser treatment hair removers
- Non-prescription contact lenses
- Skin whiteners or lighteners
- Sunscreens with claims such as "sunblock" or "SPF" (including makeup products with "SPF")
Oral care products
- Breath mints or breath-freshening lozenges that are swallowed
- Denture cleaners
- Toothpaste containing fluoride
Natural health products
- Oral supplements
Household and personal items
- Brushes
- Insect repellents
- Room or fabric sprays
Products that may be classified in two categories:
Certain products may be classified in two categories. For example, a disposable toothbrush that is pre-loaded with a non-fluoridated dentifrice may be classified as both:
- a cosmetic, and
- a medical device
In the example above, the non-fluoridated dentifrice is cosmetic (unless the label contains therapeutic claims, in which case it would be a drug) and the toothbrush is a medical device. Thus, the product, as offered to the consumer, is regulated by the:
- Food and Drugs Act and the Cosmetic Regulations (dentifrice),
- Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations (dentifrice), and
- Food and Drugs Act and the Medical Devices Regulations (toothbrush).