Beauty's rules just got stricter. Here's what changed.

Here's something most shoppers don't know: from 1938 until the end of 2022, the core U.S. law covering cosmetics barely changed. Brands didn't have to register their factories, list their products with the FDA, or report serious reactions, and the FDA couldn't order a recall.

That changed on December 29, 2022, when the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) became law. It's the biggest update to cosmetics rules in 84 years.

What MoCRA added

• Recall power. If a company refuses a voluntary recall of a product that could seriously harm people, the FDA can now order one.
• Facility registration. Factories that make cosmetics for the U.S. market, at home or abroad, have to register with the FDA, which can suspend a registration if products pose a serious risk.
• Product and ingredient listing. Each product and its ingredients must be listed with the FDA and kept up to date.
• Serious adverse event reporting. Brands must report serious reactions to the FDA within 15 business days and keep records.
• Safety substantiation. Companies must keep records showing their products are safe to use.
• Fragrance allergens and manufacturing standards. The FDA was directed to require labeling of fragrance allergens and to set good manufacturing practice rules.

Why it matters when you shop

The new rules raise the floor, but they don't make every product equal. A cheap, mass-produced balm from a long overseas supply chain and a formula developed for a specific purpose can both be legal. The difference is in the choices a brand makes above that floor: who develops the formula, where it's made, and how carefully each batch is tracked.

Our approach

Avere is made in the USA, developed over nearly two years with a U.S. cosmetic chemist, and every tube carries a printed expiry code that traces it back to its production run. If you ever have a question or a reaction, email info@averebeauty.com and a real person will answer.

Sources

• Foley & Lardner: Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022, what you need to know