Free tool
Can I Say This? Label claims checker
Paste your label, product description or ad. We flag the words that make a cosmetic sound like a medicine under FDA rules, the ones you'd need proof for under FTC rules, and what to say instead.
Education, not legal advice. Covers common US FDA and FTC problem words; it can't see your whole label, ads or website. See the claims guide for the full rules.
Frequently asked
What's the difference between a cosmetic claim and a drug claim?
In the US, a cosmetic cleans, beautifies or changes how skin and hair look and feel. A product that claims to treat, cure, prevent or heal a condition, or to change how the body works, is a drug, and drugs need FDA approval or must follow strict OTC drug rules. The words on your label and in your ads decide which one you're selling.
Can I say 'reduces the look of dark spots'?
Wording about appearance ('the look of', 'the appearance of') is the usual way cosmetic brands describe visible results. 'Fades dark spots' or 'removes hyperpigmentation' reads as a drug claim. Be ready to back up any result you describe.
Is this legal advice?
No. It's a quick check against common FDA and FTC problem words for the US market. It can miss things, and the full context of your label, ads and website matters. Have a regulatory consultant or attorney review your claims before you launch.
Do you save what I paste?
No. The check runs in your browser and nothing you type is sent or stored.