The cosmetics business formally entered the era of efficacy evaluation on January 1, 2022 in China. In the era of efficacy, how well a product works is at the center of how it is made. Understanding the standards for claim evaluation and classification of cosmetic effectiveness is crucial.
This article analyzes the criteria for the Efficacy Claim Evaluation Project according to the “Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulations,” “Cosmetic Classification Rules and Classification Catalog,” and “Cosmetic Efficacy Claims Evaluation Specifications.”
The effects of cosmetics under the new laws are split into 26 claim categories Plus 1 new effect, as per “Cosmetics Classification Rules and Classification Catalog” . Different Claims either can be exempted for data submission or necessary to submit efficacy testing reports, research documents, human clinical trials, or Consumer using data to support your claims.
1. Exemption of Data Submission
The claims that are related to the senses of sight, smell, and other senses may immediately be identified as exempt from submitting materials or abstracts to support the claims.
(1) Cleaning
Cleaning is the process of removing dirt and other things from the surface of an application site.
Examples of claims include “wash,” “clean,” “clear” “bath” “shampoo,” “hair cleaning” etc.
(2) Makeup remover
To remove used parts of makeup and other cosmetics.
(3) Beauty modification:
It is used to temporarily change the appearance of the used part to achieve beautification, modification, and other functions, and it can be restored to its original state after cleaning and removing makeup. Note: Products such as artificial nails or solid decorative objects (such as false eyelashes, etc.) do not belong to cosmetics.
Examples of claims: concealer, conceal, cover, isolate, beautify, retouch, fix. Fixed color, long-lasting makeup, beautiful lips, dazzling, gorgeous, beautiful color, magic color, wind color, rich color, fashion, glamour, charming, eyelash curling, eyelashes dense, eyelashes curling, Temporary hair coloring that can be restored to its original state after cleaning.
(CB: These claims are translated from Chinese, if you are not sure of your claims, contact us for analysis ).
(4) Aroma:
Definition: It has aromatic components, which help to modify body odor and increase fragrance.
Examples of claims: fresh, fragrant, scented, lingering, perfumed, etc.
(5) Body Cooling:
Definition: Helps keep skin dry or enhance skin cooling. Note: Products for pathological hyperhidrosis are not cosmetics.
Examples of claims: toning, refreshing, clean, dry, cool, smooth, cool, water-absorbing, sweat-absorbing.
(6) Hair dyeing:
Definition: For the purpose of changing the color of the hair, immediate washing after use cannot restore the original color of the hair.
Examples of claims: dyed hair, color dyed, highlighted dyed, bleached dyed, fixed color, evenly colored, black hair, dark hair, etc.
(7) Perm:
Used to change the shape of hair (bend or straighten it) and keep it relatively stable.
Note: Products that restore hair to its original shape after washing do not fall into this category.
Claim examples: perm, curl, straighten, etc.
(8) Hair Color Maintenance:
Helps maintain hair color stability before and after coloring.
Note: Products designed to change hair color do not fall into this category.
Examples of claims: Helps with coloring, stabilizing hair color, fixing color, protecting color, etc.
(9) Depilation:
Definition: Used to reduce or remove body hair
Claims Examples: epilation, depilation, removal, shedding, reduction of body hair, removal of hair.
(10) Deodorant:
Helps to reduce or mask body odor.
Note: Products that achieve deodorization simply by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms are not cosmetics.
Examples of claims: deodorizing, masking odors, modifying body odor, reducing body odor, body odor, sweat odor, etc.
(11) Assisted shaving:
Definition: Used to soften and expand the hair and help lubricate the skin during shaving.
Note: Shaving tools are not cosmetic.
Examples of claims: shaving, softening hair, expanding hair, lubricating skin.
The effects are caused by simple physical things like covering, sticking, rubbing, etc., and only physical effects are listed on the label: covering, freckle whitening, exfoliation, and blackhead removal.
2. Require to Submit literature or research data
(12) Moisturizing:
Definition: Used to supplement or enhance the content of water, oil, and other ingredients at the application site; help to maintain the water content of the application site or reduce water loss.
Examples of claims: moisturizing, water-feeling, hydrating, dehydrated, dry, relieving dryness and tension etc.
(13) Hair care:
Definition: Helps to improve the combability of hair and beard, prevent static electricity, and maintain or enhance the luster of hair.
Examples of claims: hair care, fluffy, drapey, smooth, silky, supple, flowy, breezy, improved knots, easy combing, anti-static, shine, sheen, oily, Soft and so on.
3. Choose one of three efficacy evaluation methods: Human Clinical testing, Consumer Use data, or Laboratory Testing)
(14) Anti-wrinkle
It helps to slow down the generation of skin wrinkles or make them less obvious.
Examples of claims: anti-wrinkle, wrinkle-relief, wrinkle-relieving, wrinkle-relief, light-wrinkle, dilute fine lines, dry lines, fine lines, etc.
(15) Firming
Definition: Helps maintain skin firmness and elasticity.
Examples of claims: firming, tight and elastic, etc.
(16) Soothing
Definition: Helps to improve conditions such as skin irritation.
Examples of claims: soothes, improves skin irritation, relieves irritation.
(17) Oil control:
Definition: Helps to slow down the secretion and deposition of sebum at the application site, or make the oily phenomenon less obvious at the application site.
Examples of claims: oil control, oil leveling, balance, water-oil balance, oil reduction, oily relief, oily skin improvement, etc.
(18) Exfoliation:
Definition: Helps to promote exfoliation of the skin or to promote keratin renewal.
Examples of claims: exfoliation, keratin exfoliation, keratin renewal, keratin softening, scrub, etc.
(19) Anti-hair break:
It helps to improve or reduce hair break and split ends; helps maintain or enhance hair toughness.
Examples of claims: reduce breakage, soft hair, bounce, elasticity, toughness, strength, flexibility, toughness, frizz, split ends, etc.
(20) Anti-dandruff:
Definition: Helps to slow down the production of dandruff; helps to reduce dandruff attached to the scalp and hair.
Examples of claims: dandruff, anti-dandruff, anti-dandruff, dandruff removal, dandruff reduction, etc.
4. Human clinic test is required
(21) Freckle and whitening
Helps to reduce or slow down skin pigmentation; achieve skin whitening and whitening effect through physical covering.
Note: Contains products that improve acne marks caused by pigmentation.
Claim examples: whitening, pigmentation, pigmentation, Melanin, light spots, light printing, lightening dark spots, freckle and so on.
(22) Sunscreen
Definition of sunscreen: used to protect the skin and lips from damage caused by specific ultraviolet rays. Note: The use parts of sunscreen cosmetics for infants and children is limited to the skin.
Claim examples: sun protection, sun exposure, sun isolation, UV protection, UV, UVA, UVB, PA, FPS, etc.
(23) Anti-Hair Loss
Definition: Helps to improve or reduce hair loss.
Note: Products that regulate the effects of hormones and promote hair growth are not cosmetic products.
Claim examples: anti-hair loss, anti-hair loss, hair-fixing, hair-loss improvement, anti-hair loss, etc.
(24) Acne
Definition: Helps to reduce or slow down the occurrence of acne (including blackheads or whiteheads); recover.
Note: Products that regulate the influence of hormones, kill (anti-) bacteria and reduce inflammation are not cosmetic products.
Claim examples: acne removal, anti-acne, acne skin, blackheads, whiteheads, blackhead extract, blackhead adsorption, etc.
(25) Nourish
Definition: Helps provide nourishment to the application site.
Note: Products that indirectly achieve nourishment through other functions do not belong to this category.
(26) Repair
Definition: Helps to maintain or repair the application site in a normal state.
Note: Products used for scars, scalds, burns, damages and other damaged parts are not cosmetics.
5. Specific Claims
Formulas claimed to be suitable for sensitive skin and claimed to be tear-free should be evaluated by means of human efficacy evaluation tests or consumer use tests. For product efficacy claims made by claiming the efficacy of raw materials, literature research, research data analysis or efficacy claim evaluation tests shall be carried out to confirm that the raw materials have the claimed efficacy, and the efficacy claims of the raw materials shall be fully correlated with the efficacy claims of the product.
6. New Effects
Definition of new effects: those that do not meet the other 26 classification rules are all new effects.
Examples of claims: anti-blue light, anti-pollution, anti-oxidation, acid-base balance, anti-perspirant, anti-perspirant, anti-hair growth, etc.
