Regulations specifically prohibit the use of the following ingredients in cosmetics. For complete details, refer to the regulations (21 CFR, Parts 250.250 and 700.11 through 700.35): Bithionol, chlorofluorocarbon propellants, chloroform, halogenated salicylanilides (di-, tri-, metabromsalan and tetrachlorosalicylanilide), methylene chloride, vinyl chloride, zirconium-containing complexes, prohibited cattle materials.
Some ingredients may be used in cosmetics, but only under the restrictions stated in the regulations: Hexachlorophene, mercury compounds, sunscreens in cosmetics.
A product may become adulterated or misbranded in a number of ways. Among these are improperly used color additives or any ingredient, other than a coal-tar hair dye, that causes a cosmetic to be harmful under customary or usual conditions of use, or cause a cosmetic to become misbranded, as stated in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Sections 601 and 602.
Source: Excerpted from Office of Cosmetics and Colors Fact Sheet, March 30, 2000 Revised May 2005 and June 2006: Ingredients Prohibited and Restricted by FDA Regulations