Doctors Agree: It’s Time for Tighter Regulation of Personal Care Products

Editor’s Note: This article was originally inspired by a publication in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) highlighting concerns over adverse reactions to personal care products and the lack of adequate regulatory oversight. At Nature’s Complement, we generally prefer education and informed consumer choice over heavy-handed regulation. However, when companies fail to act responsibly, and when consumers are left exposed to unnecessary risk, it raises an uncomfortable but important question: at what point does regulation become necessary?

Doctors Agree: It’s Time for Tighter Regulation of Personal Care Products

Recently, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published research examining adverse events associated with personal care products, along with an editorial discussing whether current regulatory oversight is sufficient.^1,2 The findings are worth paying attention to—not because they confirm what many of us already suspect, but because they quantify a problem that has largely flown under the radar.

The study analyzed adverse event reports submitted to the FDA between 2004 and 2016. During that time, 5,144 reports were documented.¹ At first glance, that number may not seem alarming. But here’s the part that should give you pause: reporting these events is entirely voluntary.

Think about that for a second.

There is no requirement for companies to report adverse reactions. There is no requirement for manufacturers to register their products with the FDA. In many cases, the agency doesn’t even know what products exist on the market, let alone whether they are causing harm.²

So when you see a number like 5,144 reported events, you are not looking at the full picture. You’re looking at a fraction of it.

And if you’ve spent any time digging into ingredient safety, you already know that adverse reactions are not rare. Skin irritation, endocrine disruption concerns, allergic responses, long-term toxicity—these are not fringe topics. They are documented in the scientific literature and, more importantly, experienced by real people.

One example often cited involved hair care products associated with significant hair loss. The FDA initially received just over 100 complaints. Later, it was revealed that the company had received more than 21,000 complaints directly.³ That’s not a small discrepancy. That’s a system failure.

And here’s where things get even more concerning.

Even when the FDA becomes aware of a problem, its authority over cosmetic and personal care products is surprisingly limited. Unlike pharmaceuticals or medical devices, the FDA does not have the power to mandate recalls in many cases. It often relies on companies to take voluntary action.²

The JAMA editorial authors didn’t mince words. They pointed out that any substance applied to or absorbed by the body has the potential to cause harm under the right conditions. They also highlighted the lack of resources allocated to oversight and called for reforms, including mandatory product registration and improved reporting systems.²

Now, this is where I want to pause.

Because while I agree with the underlying concern—that consumers are not adequately protected—I don’t automatically jump to the conclusion that more regulation is always the answer.

Regulation sounds good on paper. In practice, it often comes with unintended consequences. Increased costs, barriers to entry for small businesses, and regulatory capture by large corporations are all very real outcomes. The companies most responsible for these problems are often the ones best equipped to navigate and even shape the regulatory environment.

So where does that leave us?

In my opinion, it leaves us with a responsibility—both as consumers and as producers.

Consumers need to start asking better questions. Not just “Does this work?” but “What’s actually in this?” and “Why is it there?” Ingredient labels matter. Full disclosure matters. Understanding what you’re putting on your body matters.

And for those of us who create products, the responsibility is even greater.

We can’t hide behind vague terms like “fragrance” or “proprietary blend.” We can’t rely on the fact that most people won’t dig deeper. Because eventually, they will. And when they do, trust is either built—or broken.

At Nature’s Complement, we’ve chosen a different path. We disclose everything. Not because we’re required to, but because we believe you have a right to know. Every ingredient, every component, every decision that goes into a product—we put it out there.

Does that make things more complicated? Absolutely.

Does it limit certain formulation shortcuts that other companies might take? Without question.

But it also means that when you use our products, you’re not guessing. You’re making an informed decision.

And in a market where oversight is limited and transparency is often optional, that matters more than ever.

The reality is this: not all products are created with your health in mind. Many are formulated for shelf life, cost efficiency, and mass production. And while regulation may eventually catch up to some of these issues, it will always be reactive.

Education, on the other hand, is proactive.

So yes, the doctors are right to raise concerns. The system has gaps. Some of those gaps are significant. But until those gaps are meaningfully addressed, your best defense is knowledge.

Because at the end of the day, no agency, no regulation, and no label can replace an informed consumer.

For health,

Rob

References:

1. Xu S, Kwa M, Lohman ME, et al. Consumer Adverse Events Associated With Cosmetic Products in the United States. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2017;177(8):1202–1204.
2. Rieder EA, Bae YS, Bhatia N. The Need for Improved Oversight of Personal Care Products. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2017;177(8):1205–1206.
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Reports of hair loss associated with cleansing conditioner products. FDA Safety Communication.