Frequently Asked Questions
Key Advice and Facts
Thefactsabout is a great resource for learning more about the products we all use every day. However, you may have specific questions which we aim to answer in this section.
This site uses cookies.
Some of these cookies are essential, while others help us to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more detailed information on the cookies we use, please check our Cookie Policy
Cookie preferences
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Our Cookie Notice is part of our Cookie Policy and explains in detail how and why we use cookies. To take full advantage of our website, we recommend that you click on “Accept All”. You can change these settings at any time via the button "Update Cookie Preferences" in our Cookie Notice.
Necessary cookies (required)
Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.
Analytical cookies
Analytical cookies help us to improve our website by collecting and reporting information on its usage.
Antipersirants & deodorants
Baby care
Fragrance
Hair colorants and hair care
Make-up
Male grooming
Nails
Oralcare
Packaging
Skincare
Sunscreens
Black henna temporary tattoos
Brazilian hair straighteners
Colour Well Colour Wise
Colour With Confidence
Facts about PPD and hair colorants
Hair colorants and allergy
Hair dye and colorant safety
How do hair colorants work?
How do shampoos work?
About our teeth
How does mouthwash work?
How does toothpaste work?
How do toothwhiteners work?
Oral health problems
Cosmetic wipes
How do moisturisers work?
Self-tanning products
Skin cleansing products
Skin lightening products
Children's sun protection
Sunscreens and coral
Sunscreen: need to know
UV and Me
Advice from a Dermatologist
Baby lotion
Baby's skin is a barrier
Oral care for babies and toddlers
Sun safety for babies and toddlers
Talcum powder
Using cosmetics and toiletries on babies and toddlers
Oral care for children
Sun safety for children
Using cosmetics and toiletries on children
Mums-to-be: using cosmetics and toiletries
New mums: using cosmetics and toiletries
Top stylist tips
Confidence in sunscreens
Different types of sunscreens
How and why we use sunscreen
Sunscreen protection levels
Caring for future generations
Cosmetic ingredients
COVID-19: advice for consumers
Cosmetics: essentials for daily care
Your safety matters to us
Are cosmetics safe for the environment?
Carbon footprint
Green chemistry
Life Cycle Thinking (LCT)
Packaging and the environment
Sustainability matters
Cosmetic Science and Education
Aluminium
Endocrine disruptors
Facts about chemicals
Nanomaterials and nanotechnology
Parabens
Plastic microbeads
Preservatives & storage of cosmetic products
Talc
Hear what the experts say
Learning about self-esteem
Self-esteem and cancer treatment
The skin we're in
Allergies
Animal testing
Confidence in cosmetics
Counterfeiting
The science behind cosmetics
Understanding your label
Carbon footprint - in-depth
Twelve principles
Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) - in-depth
Allergy advice
Animal testing
Cosmetic Ingredients List
Cosmetic wipes
Counterfeiting
Environmental sustainability
Hair colorants and allergy
Packaging
Palm oil
Parabens
PFAS
Phthalates
Soap and Handwashing
The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association
Sort out which are the myths or scares and put what you read into perspective
Read More
The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association
From infancy to maturity, your safety matters to us
Read More
The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association
Cosmetic and personal care products can help us feel confident in our appearance
Read More
The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association
Colour with confidence - why it is so important to check for allergy
Read More
The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association
Chemicals are the building blocks of all substances
Read More
Antipersirants & deodorants
Baby care
Fragrance
Hair colorants and hair care
Make-up
Male grooming
Nails
Oralcare
Packaging
Skincare
Sunscreens
Black henna temporary tattoos
Brazilian hair straighteners
Colour Well Colour Wise
Colour With Confidence
Facts about PPD and hair colorants
Hair colorants and allergy
Hair dye and colorant safety
How do hair colorants work?
How do shampoos work?
About our teeth
How does mouthwash work?
How does toothpaste work?
How do toothwhiteners work?
Oral health problems
Cosmetic wipes
How do moisturisers work?
Self-tanning products
Skin cleansing products
Skin lightening products
Children's sun protection
Sunscreens and coral
Sunscreen: need to know
UV and Me
Advice from a Dermatologist
Baby lotion
Baby's skin is a barrier
Oral care for babies and toddlers
Sun safety for babies and toddlers
Talcum powder
Using cosmetics and toiletries on babies and toddlers
Oral care for children
Sun safety for children
Using cosmetics and toiletries on children
Mums-to-be: using cosmetics and toiletries
New mums: using cosmetics and toiletries
Top stylist tips
Confidence in sunscreens
Different types of sunscreens
How and why we use sunscreen
Sunscreen protection levels
Caring for future generations
Cosmetic ingredients
COVID-19: advice for consumers
Cosmetics: essentials for daily care
Your safety matters to us
Are cosmetics safe for the environment?
Carbon footprint
Green chemistry
Life Cycle Thinking (LCT)
Packaging and the environment
Sustainability matters
Cosmetic Science and Education
Aluminium
Endocrine disruptors
Facts about chemicals
Nanomaterials and nanotechnology
Parabens
Plastic microbeads
Preservatives & storage of cosmetic products
Talc
Hear what the experts say
Learning about self-esteem
Self-esteem and cancer treatment
The skin we're in
Allergies
Animal testing
Confidence in cosmetics
Counterfeiting
The science behind cosmetics
Understanding your label
Carbon footprint - in-depth
Twelve principles
Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) - in-depth
Allergy advice
Animal testing
Cosmetic Ingredients List
Cosmetic wipes
Counterfeiting
Environmental sustainability
Hair colorants and allergy
Packaging
Palm oil
Parabens
PFAS
Phthalates
Soap and Handwashing
16 December 2021
NEWS
Top tips to keep you and your family safe from dangerous counterfeit gifts, from Phil Lewis, Director-General of the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG)
19 November 2021
NEWS
Cosmetic products in the UK must be safe to use, and will always be safe. This is guaranteed by strict UK laws, which cover both safety and the truthfulness of claims made about the products.
18 November 2021
NEWS
The stakeholder roundtable on cosmetic packaging take-back schemes, convened by CTPA, took place on Monday 15 November 2021.
05 November 2021
NEWS
We’re due for a cold and dry bonfire night this year which should be brilliant for everyone wanting to get out and enjoy the fireworks, but don’t forget about protecting your skin while you do
28 October 2021
NEWS
If you dress your child up in their scariest outfit this spooky season, don’t receive an actual fright from dangerous counterfeit products. Counterfeit products may be able to hook us in with their cheap prices, but products like these can come back and bite you!
23 September 2021
NEWS
You may have seen reports suggesting that people who have had COVID-19 may become more sensitive to hair dyes. We understand that if you are thinking of colouring your hair, you might now be concerned.
Most symbols that are used on cosmetics are the same all over Europe. These are easy to understand and have the advantage that words don't have to be translated into a number of different languages.
This section highlights the issues surrounding packaging and seeing the impact of packaging across the supply chain.
Over-exposure to the sun can be harmful and the use of sunscreen is one part of "sun safe" behaviour. The good news is that by taking just a few simple precautions, you can enjoy the sunshine safely.
Skin lightening products are cosmetics that change the pigments of melanin within our skin and have been controversial in the past. Find out about the history of these products.
Are you a journalist researching your latest article? Perhaps a student learning more about the industry. Our media centre helps you gain a wealth of knowledge of where the most useful information for you is.
Supply chain shortages are a key concern to many sectors, including the #CosmeticsIndustry. @CBItweets hosting a FR… https://t.co/QSdWRSbb9n
TheCTPA TheCTPA · 13h
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Advice and Facts
Thefactsabout is a great resource for learning more about the products we all use every day. However, you may have specific questions which we aim to answer in this section.
Science behind products
UV and Me
Being able to identify how much UV you are being exposed to is really helpful for keeping safe in the sun. UV and Me is a page designed to teach you all about UV rays, where on the body you're most exposed, and how to identify your level of exposure through the UV index.
Your safety matters to us
Counterfeiting
Learn more about the counterfeiting of cosmetic products and how to recognise and avoid these potentially dangerous fake products.
