The EU introduces sweeping amendments to its cosmetics regulation. By encouraging safer, more transparent cosmetic products, and a fond fare to potentially dangerous ingredients.
In with the new:
It prioritizes consumer safety by imposing restrictions on substances like retinol, alpha-arbutin, and arbutin, known for their potential endocrine-disrupting properties. Additionally, the ban on UV filter 4-methylbenzylidene camphor takes effect from May 1, 2025, marking a significant step towards protecting consumers from harmful UV exposure.
Out with the old:
Products containing retinol, retinyl acetate, and retinyl palmitate will be restricted to 0.05% Retinol Equivalent (RE) in body lotion and 0.3 RE in other leave-on and rinse-off products. Furthermore, the use of substances like genistein, daidzein, kojic acid, alpha-arbutin, and arbutin will be subject to specific restrictions to ensure consumer safety.
But that's not all:
The updated list of permitted preservatives in cosmetic products includes new restrictions on triclocarban and triclosan, limiting their use to 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively, in various cosmetic products.
This shift demands more responsible and transparent practices, including scrutinizing product claims and meeting new labeling requirements.
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Merit
Merit delivers exactly what you need, no frills attached! Their lineup of essential beauty products is carefully curated, featuring safe formulas packed with skin-loving ingredients like squalane and vitamin B5. Plus, their commitment to sustainability shines through with recyclable and biodegradable packaging. Don't miss their standout Bronze Balm in Seine, $30, this sheer, buildable cream formula creates natural warmth and soft contour without streaks or orangeness, merging flawlessly for a second-skin finish that never looks cakey. It contains fatty acids that nourish and seal in moisture, is free of acne-causing chemicals, and comes in environmentally friendly packaging made of 43% recycled plastic.
Who knows about beauty products more than a makeup artist? Founded by Rose-Marie Swift, RMS Beauty is all about clean ingredients that enhance your natural beauty. Their cosmetic collection is made with raw, organic ingredients to hydrate and illuminate your skin. With products like the Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow in Sunbeam, $28, formulated with organic green tea and natural peptide quinoa extracts, RMS not only beautifies but also nourishes your skin. Plus, they're dedicated to sustainability with a reusable key to get every last drop out of the tube. Experience beauty that's clean, green, and glam!
Jones Road, flips the script on beauty. Instead of bombarding us with endless products, they offer a curated range of high-impact clean beauty essentials that are easy to use and master. Think of it as clean beauty 2.0, with stricter regulations than the E.U. The Hippie Stick, $32, is their secret weapon for locking in moisture everywhere — it's like a blissful balm that melts onto your face, body, and hair, leaving you feeling buttery smooth and smelling divine.
Straight outta the lab of a skincare guru, this brand is all about clean beauty with a punch. Their lineup is packed with plant-powered goodies that'll make your skin sing. Take their Plump + Juicy Vegan Collagen Spray-On Serum, $48, for instance — spray it on, soak up the collagen goodness, and watch your skin glow like never before. It's like a hydration boost straight from Mother Nature herself.
