Choosing a cosmetic product: the quagmire of regulations and marketing A riddle clouded by cryptic rules and misleading claims

The world of cosmetics is very serious and everywhere increasingly regulated.
Attention to consumer safety and to the environment is very high and is always the primary aim of the regulator.
Nonetheless, several self-accredited organizations creep into the meshes of the system promising greater protection and benefits with additional restrictions and criteria that have nothing to do with the regulatory framework and lead to consumer confusion and difficulty in making informed choices.
This paper recalls some relevant points of current legislations and seeks to clarify some basic concepts.