For people with food allergy and those who care for them, it is important to always carefully read the ingredient list on cosmetics. Ingredient labels for cosmetics are found on either the product container or the outer packaging. Food allergens may be present in makeup, skin care products, lip and hair products and hand sanitisers.
While it is unlikely that someone will have anaphylaxis from having the allergen on their skin, people can have hives, skin redness or a rash and feel itchy.
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) recommends avoiding skin products containing foods for infants, who may then develop an allergy to that food. There is also some evidence that adults can develop allergies to foods after using skin products containing foods such as goat’s milk, coconut, tree nut oils such as almond oil, and oats.
Mandatory standards for cosmetic ingredient labelling
The Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020 sets out the mandatory requirements for cosmetics ingredients labelling in Australia. The requirements are intended to reduce the risk of consumers accidentally using ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction.
Mandatory requirements for cosmetic labelling do not apply to the products below. People with a food allergy should avoid using these products as they will not have an ingredient list.
- Free samples of cosmetic products
- Testers of a cosmetic product
For further information we recommend you visit the following Product Safety Australia webpages:
Please note that the mandatory standard for ingredients labelling on cosmetics was last updated on 24 November 2020 to include additional labelling requirements for hand sanitiser.
Manufacturers are required to list all ingredients used in the product. Although allergy information in plain English is not mandatory on cosmetic products, manufacturers can add value to their customer service by including such information. This allows consumers to make informed decisions about the products they use. We recommend that consumers follow some simple tips when buying and using cosmetics:
- Always check the ingredient list of cosmetics to make sure they don’t contain your allergen. Contact the manufacturer if you are not sure.
- Food labelling laws require allergens to be listed using their common name. Unfortunately, cosmetic labelling laws are different, and allergens may be listed using their botanical name. It is important to know the botanical names of your allergens as these names are often used in cosmetic labelling.
- Peanut: Arachis hypogaea
- Almonds: Prunus dulcis
- Brazil nuts: Bertholletia excelsa
- Cashew nuts: Anacardium occidentale
- Hazelnuts: Corylus avellane
- Macadamia nuts: Macadamia integrifolia/ tetraphylla
- Pecan nuts: Carya illinoensis
- Pine nuts: Pignoli, pignollia, pinon and pignon, pinus spp
- Pistachio nuts: Pistacia vera
- Walnuts: Juglans regia
- Sesame: Sesamum indicum
If you have an allergic reaction to a cosmetic product, stop using the product immediately and speak to your doctor.
The Australian Competitor & Consumer Commission (ACCC) does not review or approve products prior to sale. Suppliers are responsible for making sure that products they supply are compliant with mandatory standards and the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
If you have further enquiries about the ingredient labelling of cosmetics you can use the ACCC online form: Submit an enquiry.
If you bought a product that does not meet the mandatory standard, including inaccurate ingredient labelling or is not safe, you can report this to the ACCC: Report unsafe product | ACCC Product Safety.