Notification of Cosmetics: Examples of cosmetics and products not considered to be cosmetics

Although not exhaustive, this section provides examples that may be useful in determining whether your product is a cosmetic. For further guidance, contact the Consumer Product Safety Program.

Examples of cosmetics

Topical products

• Adhesives for artificial nails, hair extensions, etc.
• Artificial nail builders
• Cleansing wipes
• Concealers
• Lotions containing sunscreen ingredients without representation related to sun protection
• Makeup products
• Moisturizers including tinted moisturizers
• Moisturizing lotion
• Soaps

Hair care

• Hair products containing UV filters
• Regular shampoos

Oral care

• Breath fresheners that are not swallowed
• Dentifrices
• Tooth whitening products
• Toothpastes without fluoride that are represented solely to freshen breath, clean and whiten teeth

Other products

• Tattoo inks
• Feminine douches

Examples of products that are not considered cosmetics

Articles, devices or topical drugs

• Acne treatments
• Antidandruff shampoos
• Artificial nails and tips used with adhesive
• Collagen or "Botox" injections
• Hair, eyelash, eyebrow extensions used with adhesive
• Hand sanitizers
• Laser treatment hair removers
• Non-prescription contact lenses
• Skin whiteners or lighteners
• Sunscreens with claims such as "sunblock" or "SPF" (including makeup products with "SPF")

Oral care products

• Breath mints or breath-freshening lozenges that are swallowed
• Denture cleaners
• Toothpaste containing fluoride

Natural health products

• Oral supplements

Household and personal items

• Brushes
• Insect repellents
• Room or fabric sprays

Products that may be classified in two categories:

Certain products may be classified in two categories. For example, a disposable toothbrush that is pre-loaded with a non-fluoridated dentifrice may be classified as both:

• a cosmetic, and
• a medical device

In the example above, the non-fluoridated dentifrice is cosmetic (unless the label contains therapeutic claims, in which case it would be a drug) and the toothbrush is a medical device. Thus, the product, as offered to the consumer, is regulated by the:

• Food and Drugs Act and the Cosmetic Regulations (dentifrice),
• Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations (dentifrice), and
• Food and Drugs Act and the Medical Devices Regulations (toothbrush).