Reviews and Information for IT Cosmetics
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CL Answer
What is the best sunscreen based on safety and efficacy?
We’ve boiled down the latest research about mineral and chemical sunscreens, including product tests, to help you choose the best sunscreen (which will depend on whether you expect to be in or out of the water). We also list popular sunscreens that have, or have not, been found to contain cancer-causing compounds (benzene and benzophenone).
CL Answer
Does the talc added to Centrum Silver and other vitamins pose a risk of cancer?
Find out if talc, an inactive ingredient in many vitamins and supplements, is safe to consume, and learn about asbestos in talc and cancer risk and USP-grade talc vs. food-grade talc and cosmetics-grade talc. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.
Product Review
Vitamin A Supplements Review, Including Beta-Carotene and Cod Liver Oil
Find the Best Vitamin A Supplement. Best Quality Vitamin A Supplements Identified, Including Cod Liver Oil.
CL Answer
5 Tips for Finding a Soap or Body Wash That Won't Irritate Skin
Get 5 tips for finding soap or body wash that won't cause skin irritation. See which soaps we rate best, ingredients to avoid, and phrases on labels that can mislead.
Clinical Update
6/13/2023
Cosmetics for Sun Protection?
Foundations and other cosmetics may be labeled with an SPF value, but they are generally not considered to be good alternatives to sunscreen. Find out why, and see product suggestions, in the updated article about safe and effective sunscreens.
Product Review
Inactive Ingredients / Excipients in Supplements
Find Out Why Coloring Agents, Sweeteners, Fillers & Other Inactive Ingredients Are In Your Supplements and If They're Safe.
CL Answer
Which supplements are helpful to have when traveling? Any tips on how to best store supplements on trips?
Find out which vitamins & supplements can be helpful when traveling, including melatonin, ginger, and more, and find out how you can carry them with you.
CL Answer
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances): How can I avoid PFAS in dental floss, food, water, and other products?
Some brands of dental floss, including Oral-B Glide, may contain potentially toxic chemicals known as PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances). Get the details, and learn which floss and pick products are our Top Picks.
Recalls & Warnings
May 12, 2020
FTC Halts Deceptive Supplements & Cosmetics "Free Trial" Scheme
On May 8, 2020, the owners of AH Media Group, LLC agreed to halt their allegedly deceptive practice of luring consumers with supposed "free trial" offers for cosmetics and dietary supplements, then enrolling them in subscriptions and billing them without their consent.
Recalls & Warnings
March 02, 2021
FDA Warns Makers of Four Hand Sanitizers, Two With Toxic Ingredient
Between February 18 and 25, 2021, the FDA issued warning letters to four sellers of hand sanitizers because laboratory tests showed that their products do not contain the amount of ethanol as stated on their labels.
CL Answer
Which sunscreens and after-sun products are contaminated with benzene and which are not?
Over 200 sunscreens and after-sun products have been reported to be contaminated with benzene, a carcinogen. See the results, by brand, and find out what to look for, and what to avoid, when choosing a sunscreen or after-sun product.
Recalls & Warnings
April 25, 2022
Some OTC Skin Lighteners Contain Potentially Harmful Ingredient, Warns FDA
On April 19th, 2022, the FDA issued warnings to 12 companies for selling over-the-counter (OTC) skin-lightening products containing hydroquinone.
Recalls & Warnings
June 05, 2012
Many "Grapefruit Seed Extracts" Adulterated
On June 4, 2012, the American Botanical Council (ABC) announced the publication of a review of scientific literature regarding “grapefruit seed extracts,” raising concerns about apparent adulteration of products in the US and international marketplaces.
Recalls & Warnings
November 20, 2020
FTC Files Complaint Against Two Supplement Companies for Deceptive Marketing
On November 20, 2020, the FTC approved a Part 3 administrative complaint against Health Research Laboratories, LLC, its owner Kramer Duhon, and Whole Body Supplements, LLC for making unverified claims that their products can prevent or treat diseases.
Recalls & Warnings
June 23, 2020
FTC Sends Refund Checks to Consumers of Deceptive "Free Trial" Scheme
On June 22, 2020, the FTC announced it is mailing 187,425 checks totaling more than $8.
Recalls & Warnings
June 02, 2020
FTC Sends Refund Checks for "ReJuvination" Supplement
On June 1, 2020, the FTC announced it is mailing 1,310 checks totaling nearly $149,000 to consumers who purchased ReJuvination, a product deceptively marketed as a cure-all for various age-related conditions, including cell damage, heart attack damage, brain damage, and deafness.
Recalls & Warnings
May 30, 2020
FTC Sends Refund Checks for TrueAloe and AloeCran
On May 26, 2020, the FTC announced it is mailing 22,581 checks totaling more than $470,000 to consumers who purchased deceptively marketed supplements, TrueAloe and AloeCran.
Recalls & Warnings
October 12, 2020
NutraClick to Pay $1.04 Million for Illegally Billing Consumers
On September 22, 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that NutraClick LLC agreed to pay $1.04 million to settle FTC charges that the company was deceptively selling and billing consumers for supplements and beauty products.
Recalls & Warnings
January 29, 2004
U.S. Action on Mad Cow -- Supplements Included As Well as Food
On Jan. 26, 2004, the U.
Recalls & Warnings
September 07, 2002
FDA Sends Warning Letters to Seven Online Supplement Sellers For Therapeutic Claims
On August 27, 2002, the FDA posted seven "Cyber" letters recently issued from its Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) to internet website operators promoting dietary supplement products that claim to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure, or prevent a specific disease or class of ...
Recalls & Warnings
March 13, 2020
FDA Finds Problems at 52% of Supplement Manufacturing Sites in U.S. and 42% Abroad
ConsumerLab.com has obtained results of the FDA's inspections in Fiscal Year 2019 (October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2019) of 598 dietary supplement manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
Recalls & Warnings
July 21, 2003
FTC Stops False Advertising of Heavily Promoted Supplements for Breast Enhancment, Male Virility, and Snoring
On June 10, 2003, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that infomercial marketers Wellquest International, Inc. and Tony Hoffman Productions, Inc.