FDA alerts public to health risks of unauthorized cosmetic products

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a public advisory on Monday, Nov. 20, cautioning the public against the purchase and use of “unauthorized” cosmetic products that have not undergone thorough evaluation by the regulatory agency.

In the advisory, the FDA identified 10 cosmetic products deemed “unsafe for use.”

The list of unauthorized products includes “Scents of Joy Citronella Bug Spray,” “Johnson’s Bedtime Baby Powder Perfume,” “Johnson’s Blossoms Baby Powder Perfume,” “Timeless Staying Beautiful Spa Milk Salt Moisturizing Bath Salt,” “Disaar Beauty Skincare Instant Protection Skin Color Sunscreen,” “DW Timeless Staying Beautiful Spa Milk Salt,” “Skin Vannity By Ms Ann Power Fresh Deo Spray,” “Skin Vanity By Ms Ann Powder Fresh Deo Cream Stay Fresh All Day,” “Skin Vannity By Ms Ann Magic Collagen Spf50 Pa+++,” and “Sukee Skin Essentials Body Hair Removal Cream.”

It stated that these products were verified through postmarketing surveillance and lacked a valid Certificate of Product Notification (CPN) as of Oct. 23, 2023.

As these unauthorized cosmetic products have not undergone the FDA’s notification process, the agency cannot ensure their quality or safety.

The FDA emphasized that the use of such non-compliant products may pose significant health risks to consumers, potentially stemming from the inclusion of prohibited ingredients or contamination by heavy metals.

The potential hazards associated with these products include severe reactions like skin irritation, itchiness, anaphylactic shock, and even organ failure.

In response to these findings, the FDA urged affected establishments to refrain from distributing unauthorized cosmetic products until they fully comply with the agency’s rules and regulations.