Cosmetics & Personal Care
The use of cosmetics and personal care products is a daily ritual common among the Canadian public. Cosmetics include, but are not limited to cleansing products, make-up, perfumes, deodorants, and soap.
Health Canada regulates cosmetics and personal care products that are made for distribution and for retail in Canada. The basis for this regulatory authority comes from the  Food and Drugs Act and the Cosmetic Regulations.
Some products that appear to be a cosmetic may actually be classified differently within Health Canada:
- Products that have a therapeutic claim or that contain certain ingredients not permitted in cosmetics are considered to be drugs, for example sunscreens.
- Products containing natural therapeutic ingredients are considered natural health products (NHPs), for example many toothpastes.
- Items where ingestion is intentional and that do not have a therapeutic effect or claim are food products.
- Insect repellent lotions and sprays are pesticides.
- Products (such as creams, lotions, or shampoos) providing a therapeutic benefit to animals are veterinary drugs.
What information is available?
It's Your Health - Cosmetic Products Ingredient Labelling
What's New
Cosmetics Advisories and Warnings
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