The regulation gap

For 80 years, US cosmetics ran on a 1938 law with almost no teeth. That changed in 2022, when MoCRA (the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act) became the first major overhaul in a lifetime. As of 2026, brands must register their facilities, list their products, and report adverse events to the FDA. New manufacturing and fragrance-disclosure rules are being finalized now.

It’s real progress. But the gap with Europe is still vast.

The EU bans or restricts over 1,700 cosmetic ingredients. The US federal number is around 11.

The FDA still doesn’t approve cosmetics before they’re sold. It reviews safety substantiation and can act on products already on the market, but “FDA-approved skincare” remains a claim that doesn’t exist. The agency can challenge a product. It can’t pre-clear one.

None of this means every US brand cuts corners -- many formulate to a far higher standard by choice. But the floor is low, and plenty build right on it.

Read the ingredient list. It’s still the most honest document a brand is required to produce.