Cosmetic products: learning to read labels.

Reading the labels of cosmetic products often proves difficult as mandatory labelling information is mixed with non-obligatory and sometimes misleading data, which is included on the labels according to the manufacturer's wishes. This article aims at clarifying the labelling information provided for by the new European Regulation on cosmetic products that will come into effect in 2013 and on the non-regulated but frequently seen information on the packaging of cosmetic products.