The safety of our products

More than a century of safety, quality and effectiveness

We are committed to offering safe and effective products in the more than 50 markets in which we do business around the world, and are proud of our 135-year safety record. We have the same universal standards of quality and safety worldwide and is fully compliant with all regulations established by government agencies that oversee beauty and personal care product ingredients and safety. Our customers can use our products with confidence.

We are aware of claims that certain cosmetic ingredients are harmful, or that trace contaminants are of an unsafe level, and some of the claims carry alarmist tones. When rumours circulate about an ingredient being unsafe, they spread quickly and can concern people unnecessarily. It is very easy for an individual or group to misunderstand a piece of data or take it out of context.

Only ingredients that can be used safely are used in our products. Every ingredient in every product must undergo a thorough and formal review, and the safety of every product is substantiated prior to product introduction. Our multi-disciplinary team of scientists behind the process includes toxicologists, microbiologists and chemists, each of whom are experts in their field.

Equally important, our scientists evaluate any new information relevant to the safe use of its existing ingredients. If we determine through scientific inquiry that an ingredient could no longer be considered to be used safely, or if ever prohibited by law, the company would discontinue its use.

External scientific and government bodies that have issued statements or positions on the safety of ingredients over the years include the World Health Organization, US FDA, US Environmental Protection Agency, Health Canada, European Commission, Cosmetic Ingredient Review and many others. Studies supporting the safety of various ingredients have been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Critical Reviews in Toxicology, the Journal of Applied Toxicology and Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.

Consumers can be assured that any product that carries our name has undergone rigorous and thorough safety evaluation and can be used with the utmost confidence.

Product ingredient information can be found at cosmeticsinfo.org.