What Do the Signs on Cosmetic Packages Tell Us?

According to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, products intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering appearance by rubbing, pouring, sprinkling, or spraying are defined as cosmetic products.

According to the Food and Drug Law, whether a product is classified as cosmetic or not is determined by its intended use. Accordingly, the cosmetic products sector encompasses a wide range of products including skin creams, makeup materials, deodorants, and perfumes, as well as personal hygiene products such as soaps, shampoos, oral and dental care items. It also includes sunscreens, hair care products, shaving materials, and hair removal products.

In our country, Cosmetic Regulation has been enacted to regulate the principles and procedures concerning cosmetic products

This regulation specifies the information that must be provided on both the inner and outer packaging of cosmetic products. Accordingly, the information displayed on the inner and outer packaging of cosmetic products must be non-removable and easily visible and legible at the time of sale.

The intended use of a cosmetic product, places it can be applied, its qualities, etc. The purpose of use, areas of application, and characteristics of the product should be stated on the label or packaging, requiring consumers to inspect them to understand the product. Common symbols and their meanings on cosmetic product packaging are important as they serve as the product’s identity card for consumers.

The open jar symbol indicates how many months the product can be used after opening. For example, if there is a “12M” symbol on the open jar icon, it indicates that the product should be used within 12 months after opening. The “30M” symbol on a product indicates that you should finish using the product within 30 months after purchasing it, counting from the date of purchase, before the period specified by the number of months (M) after opening. If the product is not consumed within the recommended period, it can lose its effectiveness and freshness, potentially becoming toxic. Spoiled products may cause various illnesses, especially allergic reactions.

The guide and hand symbol indicates that information about the cosmetic product that does not fit into the packaging is also available in the form of a brochure.

It is a sign indicating that the product packaging is recyclable. In addition, there may be some symbols on the product packaging, such as a sign indicating what type of material the product is made of (plastic, cardboard, etc.), and if there is a flammable product in the packaging, a sign placed on the packaging to warn about this.

Being informed about the signs on the packaging is a precaution that will protect us against negative situations.