Cosmetics include soap, shampoo, toothpaste, shaving products, deodorant, perfume, hair dye, insect repellent, sunscreen, self-tanning products, lipstick, foundation and eye shadow.

Remember that natural, plant-based or organic cosmetics and toiletries can also contain harmful ingredients, so take the same care as you would with any product.

You should also be aware of the pitfalls of buying cosmetics and toiletries online, as other countries may not have the same stringent rules for ingredients and warning labels as New Zealand. We explain some more about this below. We also include some of our tips on making your own cosmetics and toiletries at home.

Using and storing cosmetics and toiletries
Buying cosmetics and toiletries
Regulations and safety standards
Making cosmetics and toiletries at home

Using and storing cosmetics and toiletries

• Always read the label to see if there’s anything special you need to do to keep yourself and others safe. For example, using the product away from your eyes, or what to do if it is accidentally swallowed.
• You may need to store some products out of reach of children. Check the label.
• Follow the instructions and use products correctly; it can be risky to use something that’s been made for another purpose.
• If product’s label says it may cause skin irritation and you have sensitive skin, you could try a patch test. Apply a small amount to an area of your skin, for example, the underside of your wrist. If your skin becomes irritated or you develop a rash, do not use it.
• Don’t use products that are past their use-by date. Some products will have a symbol that tells you how many months the product will last for after it’s opened or will have a best before date.
• Some products have to be stored in certain way. For example, keep products in aerosol cans away from direct sources of heat. Always check the label to find out how products should be stored.
• Put products away as soon as you've finished using them and make sure lids are tightly closed. Check the packaging is secure and does not leak.
• When in doubt, throw it out.

Buying cosmetics and toiletries

Most cosmetic and toiletries you buy in New Zealand are safe to use because we have strict rules and high safety standards for importing and manufacturing these products. However, be careful if you are buying overseas or online; products from other countries may not meet our rules or high safety standards.

Always buy cosmetics and toiletries from shops and retail outlets that you know and trust. This includes online retailers too.

Buying online

Be careful when you buy cosmetics and toiletries online. While it is convenient and you can buy cosmetics that may not be available in the shops, it can come with risks.

It is sometimes difficult to know if the product is real or a copy of a well-known brand, if it has been tampered with, or whether it has been stored correctly.

It’s good to stick to websites and companies you know and trust. If you are in any doubt about the safety of a product, don't buy or use it.

The real deal about fake cosmetics

Never buy fake beauty products, especially online. They may contain toxic ingredients or cause unexpected skin reactions.

It is often very hard to tell if a product is fake; it’s best to buy from places you know and trust. Here is advice to help you figure out whether your product is real or not.

• Read online reviews; if a website is selling a fake beauty products, it should show up in the reviews.
• If it’s a fraction of the usual cost and there are many products available to buy, be wary.
• Examine the packaging and product. Unmarked packaging, misspellings or differences in the brand’s logo are all major signs a product is fake.
• If it has a strange texture or smell, or if you notice any visible contamination (like dirt, dust or even hair), do not use it.
• If you think it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

Regulations and safety standards

We have regulations and safety standards designed to keep you and the environment safe. All New Zealand manufacturers and importers must comply with the rules.

Cosmetics, in particular, have high standards limiting the ingredients that can be used, robust packaging, and ensuring that any risks are included on the label. 

The rules for the safety of cosmetics, including children’s ‘toy’ cosmetics and face paint, cover any product or preparation used:

• on the outside of your body
• on your teeth or in your mouth
• to clean, perfume, change the appearance of, protect, keep in good condition or correct body odours.

The information on the label is important

To comply with the rules, labels must:

• be written in English
• list all hazards and tell you how to use the product safely
• list all of the ingredients in the product from the highest concentration to the lowest
• provide enough information so the New Zealand importer or manufacturer can be contacted
• provide a batch code (this allows manufacturers and suppliers to identify when and where the product was made, so that they know if it is too old to sell)
• include recommendations about how to dispose of the product and packaging
• identify any nanomaterials (microscopic particles) in the products by using the ‘nano’ in brackets after the ingredient.

If the label does not have this information, you cannot be sure the product you are buying is safe.

Making cosmetics and toiletries at home

If you are making cosmetics and toiletries at home, such as soap, moisturisers or cleansers, we have advice on how to keep yourself and your whānau safe.

Many ingredients in cosmetic products have hazardous properties. This includes those that are 'natural', for example, essential oils. 

Check if the ingredients you are using are harmful. Find out whether any of the ingredients can irritate the skin or eyes, are flammable, or are toxic. This information should be on the label or packaging.

There are also some ingredients that are restricted or prohibited for use in cosmetic products.

To find out more read schedules 4 to 8 of the Cosmetics Group Standard.

If you are making cosmetics and toiletries to sell, there are rules and regulations you need to follow.

Keep safe when making cosmetics and toiletries

If you are making cosmetics and toiletries from scratch, follow our advice to keep yourself and your whānau safe.

• Store any potentially harmful ingredients high up in a locked cupboard.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets, and keep them away when you are making your cosmetics or toiletries.
• Understand and check the ingredients you are using. Read the label and check online for the safety data sheet for each ingredient. They explain how the ingredients can be safely used, stored, and disposed of. It provides first aid information, information about the personal protective equipment you should wear, and what to in an emergency, such as a spill or fire.
• Wear protective goggles, gloves and long sleeves to protect your eyes and skin. Some ingredients are caustic and can damage your eyes or burn your skin.
• Work in a well-ventilated area. Make sure windows and doors are open.
• Keep the ingredients in their original container.
• When you have finished, clean up spills, seal and close containers before you put them away.
• If you are disposing of ingredients, read the label. It will tell you whether it’s safe or not to put in your household rubbish. For disposing of things that can’t go into household rubbish, check with your local council. Consumer NZ has a guide that tells you which chemicals your local council will accept for disposal and where to take them.

Hazardous waste: A guide to disposal - Consumer NZ website

Selling handmade cosmetics and toiletries

If you are planning on making cosmetics and toiletries to supply or sell, and they have any hazardous properties, you will need to follow the rules for manufacturers. If you are repackaging and relabelling products, then you are also considered a manufacturer.

If you are buying cosmetics overseas to supply or sell in New Zealand, you must follow the rules for importers.

Read the requirements for importers and manufacturers