Sunscreen, Cosmetics and Hair Product Labels: What They Must Show and What to Check (US, UK, EU)

A label is the one piece of information about a cosmetic that comes from the maker and is covered by rules. This guide explains what official sources say about reading labels on sunscreen, skincare, make-up, perfume and hair products, how the United States, Great Britain and the European Union differ, and what to check on a product page before you order. It draws on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the NHS, GOV.UK, the European Commission and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

This is general information for shoppers. For skin conditions, reactions, babies or children, ask a doctor or pharmacist. We do not recommend products, rank brands or make claims about what any product does.

This guide is based on the public sources listed in each section. We have not tested any product or store mentioned.

Quick checklist

1. Check which country's rules the label follows: US, UK and EU labels differ.
2. For sunscreen, look for broad spectrum (US) or a UVA star rating or "UVA" logo (UK), the SPF, water resistance minutes, directions to reapply, and an expiry date or open-jar symbol.
3. Read the full ingredient list, not just the front of the pack.
4. Look for a named responsible company and address, a batch code and the "period after opening" symbol where it applies.
5. Treat treatment-style claims (curing, treating, preventing) with caution: the FDA says a product with such claims is regulated as a drug.
6. For hair dye, follow the patch-test instructions every time.
7. Check price per 100 ml, the return policy for opened products and whether you are buying from the brand or a third party.

Sunscreen: United States (FDA)

Sources: US FDA, "Sunscreen: how to help protect your skin from the sun"; FDA Q&A on the 2011 sunscreen rule (page last updated 2014). Last checked: 15 October 2026.

In the US, sunscreens are regulated as nonprescription drugs and must meet safety and effectiveness standards. What the FDA says about labels:

The FDA Q&A also says claims of more than two hours without reapplication, or of immediate protection, need FDA-approved data, and that non-water-resistant products must tell users to choose a water-resistant product for swimming or sweating.

Buying and using

• Expiry: use the printed date. With no date, the FDA says to treat the product as expired three years after purchase, and to discard it if you do not know how old it is.
• Imported sunscreens may differ from US products, so read the label carefully.
• Sprays may contain flammable ingredients. Choose a non-flammable product near flames, and never spray directly on the face.
• Recalls: check whether your product was recalled (the page mentions benzene contamination). The FDA advises against using recalled sunscreens.
• Infants: sunscreen is not recommended under six months of age. Ask a doctor first.

Sunscreen: United Kingdom (NHS)

Source: NHS, "Sunscreen and sun safety". Last checked: 15 October 2026.

• Choose SPF 30 or higher for UVB, and at least 4-star UVA protection, or a "UVA" logo in a circle, which the NHS says means it meets the EU standard.
• The open-jar symbol with an "M" and a number shows how many months the product lasts after opening.
• An adult covering the whole body needs roughly 6 to 8 teaspoons. Thin layers give much less protection.
• If you will be out long enough to risk burning, apply it 30 minutes before going out, then again just before you leave.
• Reapply about every 2 hours, and after swimming, towel drying or sweating. Water-resistant products still need reapplying.
• Keep babies under 6 months out of direct strong sunlight rather than relying on sunscreen. Older children need shade, clothing and at least SPF 30.
• Sunscreen works best alongside shade, suitable clothing and sunglasses, especially between 11am and 3pm from March to October in the UK.

US versus UK: do not merge them

The two sources use different terms. The FDA page speaks of SPF up to 50 and "broad spectrum"; the NHS speaks of SPF 30 or higher and a UVA star rating or logo. We found no source saying one type of sunscreen (mineral, chemical, spray, stick) is better, so we make no such claim.

How cosmetics are regulated in the United States

Sources: US FDA, "FDA authority over cosmetics"; FDA, "Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA)". Last checked: 15 October 2026.

• No approval before sale. The FDA does not approve cosmetics or most of their ingredients before sale. The exception is colour additives, which need approval. Companies are responsible for products that are safe, properly labelled and unadulterated.
• Cosmetic or drug depends on the claims. Cleansing, beautifying or changing appearance is cosmetic. Claiming to treat or prevent disease or to affect the body's structure or function makes a product a drug. That is why a listing with treatment-style wording deserves caution.
• MoCRA changed some duties. Under the 2022 law, manufacturers and processors register facilities (renewing every two years), responsible persons list each product with its ingredients and update the list yearly, companies keep records supporting safety, and serious adverse events are reported to the FDA within 15 business days. The responsible person's name must appear on the label. Certain small businesses are exempt from some of these duties, but not for products contacting the eye's mucous membranes, injected or internal-use products, or products that alter appearance for more than 24 hours. The page says the FDA is to set fragrance allergen labelling requirements, with no details yet.

The ingredient list in the US

For retail packs, ingredients are listed by common or usual names in descending order by amount. Ingredients at 1% or less may be in any order after those above 1%, and colour additives can come last in any order. "Fragrance" and "flavor" may be declared as a single word without listing the components, and trade-secret ingredients can appear as "and other ingredients". Products that are also drugs, such as sunscreens, list active ingredients first. No US rule requires expiry dates on most cosmetics, so the FDA suggests writing the date you opened a product on the container.

What a cosmetics label must show in Great Britain

Sources: GOV.UK, "Making cosmetic products available to consumers in Great Britain"; GOV.UK, "Consumer products: cosmetics". Last checked: 15 October 2026.

A label on a cosmetic sold in Great Britain shows:

• the name and address of the Responsible Person (who currently must have a UK address; mail-forwarding addresses and PO boxes do not qualify);
• the country of origin, if imported;
• the weight or volume;
• the date until which it can be used: a best-before date, or a period-after-opening symbol for products that last longer;
• precautions for use;
• a batch or identification number;
• what the product does, unless obvious;
• the ingredients, which may be on the packaging only. Nanomaterial ingredients are marked "(nano)".

Small items (under 5 g or 5 ml), free samples and single-use packs may skip some details. The Responsible Person must notify the government before sale and keep a safety assessment.

The page's own warning signs

GOV.UK's consumer page lists these when buying cosmetics: an unclear purpose, missing or badly written information, no named Responsible Person, an address that is missing or a PO box or mail-forwarding address, or a product marked "professional use only". It also says skin-whiteners and black-spot treatments often appear in safety alerts because of banned substances. Packaging must not look like food, and products should be kept out of children's reach.

Perfume and fragrance labels in the EU

Source: European Commission, "Fragrance allergens labelling". Last checked: 15 October 2026.

In the EU, certain fragrance substances must be named in the ingredient list instead of hiding behind the word "parfum" when they are present above 0.001% in leave-on products or 0.01% in rinse-off products. A 2023 regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1545) added 56 more substances to the earlier 26. From 31 July 2026 non-compliant products can no longer be placed on the EU market, and products already on the market before that date may stay on sale until 31 July 2028. Great Britain has its own rules, which we have not checked.

In practice, an EU perfume box may show a long ingredient list ending in names such as linalool or limonene. That is a legal allergen list, not a sign of poor quality. The US FDA, by contrast, allows "fragrance" as one word and the page we read requires no individual allergen list.

On strength terms such as eau de parfum and eau de toilette, we found no primary source giving legal percentage ranges. Treat them as industry convention. Our guide to buying fragrance online covers samples and returns.

Hair dye and hair products

Sources: US FDA, "Cosmetics safety Q&A: hair dyes"; AAD, "Healthy hair tips". Last checked: 15 October 2026.

Hair dye (FDA)

The FDA advises a patch test before every dye job: put a small dab inside the elbow or behind the ear, leave it for two days, and do not use the product if a rash appears. Salons should do one too. Follow the package directions and the Caution or Warning text, wear gloves, do not leave the product on longer than directed, rinse well, never mix products, and keep them out of children's reach. The FDA warns never to dye eyelashes or eyebrows at home because of the risk of serious eye harm.

Hair care routines (American Academy of Dermatology)

The AAD gives general guidance, which is not a diagnosis:

It also advises putting shampoo on the scalp rather than the whole length, using conditioner after every wash (on the ends for fine or straight hair, and the full length for dry or curly hair), combing wet hair with a wide-tooth comb from the ends upward, blotting hair dry gently instead of rubbing, and limiting blow-drying and flat or curling irons, using low or medium heat with a heat-protectant product. For a persistent hair or scalp problem the AAD suggests seeing a board-certified dermatologist. Our guide to choosing shampoo and conditioner online turns this into a buying checklist.

Treatment-style claims

The FDA says a product that claims to treat or prevent disease, or to affect the body's structure or function, is regulated as a drug rather than a cosmetic. If you notice a reaction or sudden hair loss, ask a pharmacist or doctor.

A label checklist for buying online

What we could not verify

• Legal definitions of "dermatologist tested", "clean" or "natural" (no source read). The FTC's environmental-claims guidance is covered in eco claims.
• UK and EU rules on sunscreen SPF and UVA labelling beyond the NHS page.
• Whether a 2021 proposal to cap sunscreen SPF labels at "60+" was adopted (a search summary only).
• Legal percentage ranges for perfume strength terms.

Related complete guides

• Safe Online Shopping: Scams, Fake Reviews, Fake Goods and the Checks That Work: Spotting counterfeit cosmetics and reading reviews with care.
• Online Shopping Rights and Returns: UK, EU, US and Canada Compared: Returns for opened cosmetics and what the exceptions say.