As a copywriter who specialises in beauty, I’ve worked with a cosmetics, skincare and beauty brands to write copy for their product labels and packaging. I’m not a cosmetic scientist or manufacturer, but I’ve regularly interpreted the cosmetics labels UK legislation to create product packaging for clients.
If you’re a beauty brand owner or founder, you need to make sure that any cosmetic packaging that you create (or have created for you) is compliant with UK cosmetics labelling legislation if they’re going to be for sale in the UK. This is essential to keep an eye on, especially if your products are being manufactured overseas or you’re having the labels designed by a third-party (who isn’t a part of the manufacturing process).
Let’s take a closer look at what needs to be on a UK cosmetics label, in line with the UK government’s cosmetics labelling regulations.
Do Cosmetics Labels Really Matter?
I can give you the short answer: they do. They longer answer is that cosmetics labelling in the UK is regulated by law and there are certain pieces of information that you need to include on your cosmetics label It’s classed as an offence not to include the relevant information on your product packaging.
It also helps your customer to understand more about the product they’re buying and make decisions based on their preferences. It also helps your clients to be aware of ingredients if they have allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients.
What’s Classed As A Cosmetic Product?
UK cosmetic regulations define a cosmetic product as:
“Any substance of mixture intended to be place in contact with the various external parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips and external genital organs) or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance and/or correcting body odours and/or protecting them or keeping them in good condition.”
Catchy, right?
In short, anything that you use on your hair, skin, nail, lips, teeth or bikini line area that cleans, perfumes, changes appearance, protects, keeps it in good condition or corrects body odours.
What Do You Need To Include on Cosmetics Labels and Beauty Products? (In The UK)
Based on the current cosmetics labels UK regulation (correct at the time of writing: January 2022), subject to specific exceptions, here’s what you need to include on your cosmetics label:
- Name and address of the Responsible Person (this must be someone based in the UK)
- Country of origin for imported products
- Nominal quantity of contents
- Best before date or “period after opening” that the product can still be used
- Warning statements and precautionary information
- Batch number
- Product function (when it’s not obvious from the packaging/product)
- Ingredients
This is only a general list, and there other exceptions and considerations to take into account when you’re bringing a cosmetic product to market. It’s worth taking expert advice and ensuring that you’re familiar with UK cosmetic products regulation.
If you’re going to be selling products in other countries too, then you need to make sure that your products meet the regulations in those countries too. Again, it’s probably working with a local expert or distributor
Where to Find Out More About Cosmetics Labels UK Regulation
The regulations on cosmetics labels UK are covered on the government website, so for the latest and must comprehensive information then you should review this: Regulation 2009/1223 and the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013
Your manufacturer or distributor should also be able to give you advice, guidance and support on labelling and developing your product. Be aware that if you’re manufacturing overseas that you will want to make sure that they’re giving the right advice for your country.
As I said at the beginning, I’m not an expert on cosmetics labelling, and this information is correct at the time of writing in January 2022. You should definitely take the time to get up to date with the latest regulations and guidance before you hit print on those labels.
Top Tips for Creating UK Cosmetic Labels
Even if your supplier or manufacturer is creating the cosmetic labels for you, check them over carefully before they go to print. Try and get samples printed at the right size (this might mean printing it yourself at home or work) so you can actually check out how they’ll look on the packaging.
What To Check When Designing and Printing Cosmetic Labels in the UK
Here are a few tips that you might overlook when you’re designing, reviewing and printing cosmetic labels in the UK:
- Make sure the label is the right layout and size for the bottle.
- Double check that all of the information you need is on the label. Check it out twice if you need to.
- Check that the font style and size is readable (this includes the colours and whether they make it all visible enough). Sometimes you have limited space on packaging which means tiny writing. If you’re struggling to fit it all on, see what you can lose.
- Proofread the labels. Proofread it twice. Get someone else to proofread it on your behalf too.
- Remember the box and outer packaging, as well as the bottle.
- Make sure any images (such as logos etc) look crisp and clear.
- If you need to use barcodes, tracking numbers or any other kind of label identifier then make sure you have a space for this on the packaging somewhere. You don’t want to have to cover up some information that’s essential just to make space for it.
- If you have space on the packaging for marketing information (like your website, social handles etc), check that these are correct.
- Make sure you’re 100% happy with everything before you give the go-ahead to go to print on the packaging. You don’t want to end up with thousands of products with incorrect packaging.
Need Help With Cosmetics Labelling?
A freelance designer (or your manufacturer) can help you to design your packaging. If writing and proofreading is something that you feel that you need help with, I’d love to chat with you about your goals for your cosmetics packaging – the right words and phrasing on your cosmetics labels can completely elevate your brand.
Working with a freelance writer can help to take the weight off your shoulders as a business owner and founder. You have enough to think about, so leave the writing and proofing to someone who does it day in and day out.
If you need support, advice or guidance on creating cosmetics labels, drop me an email and we can discuss your options. If you want to check out some of the brands I’ve created product packaging for, take a look at my freelance writing portfolio page.