This review aims to investigate the global regulatory landscape for cosmetics, with a special focus on labeling requirements, excipient prohibitions, regulations for counterfeit products, and pre- and post-marketing approvals. The current scenario helps in analysing potential research areas that require special attention to promote product innovation and enhance consumer safety. An extensive literature search was conducted to identify the regulatory situation in the leading global markets. Key areas of emphasis included safety assessments, pre-market evaluations, and post-market surveillance practices. The findings reveal that 1–3% of the population experiences allergic reactions due to chronic cosmetic use. A significant rise in cosmetic consumption is generally associated with the bioaccumulation of toxic compounds in the body. Despite international concerns regarding the safety assessment of cosmetics, current regulatory guidelines still favor manufacturers over consumers, with crucial gaps in pre-market assessments and inadequate post-market surveillance. This review underscores the urgent need for harmonized and standardized regulations on a global scale to improve consumer safety. Addressing existing gaps in safety testing and product development practices is crucial to ensuring consumer health and safety while promoting innovation in the cosmetic industry. Strengthened regulatory measures can better protect consumers from potential health risks associated with cosmetic products.
Kumari et al. (Mon,) studied this question.