Beauty supplements make claims customers may swallow

Beauty companies and retailers including Sephora and Urban Outfitters are rolling out pills and drinkable liquids loaded with exotic herbs, vitamins, seeds, berries and substances such as collagen. The products typically promise to firm up skin and improve its natural glow.

Although a small portion of the $16 billion beauty market, sales of supplements targeting facial beauty have grown from less than $1 million in 2013 to over $4 million in 2015, according to the NPD research group.

“Many consumers assume the products are safe and are not harmful because they can be purchased at reputable retailers,” said FDA spokeswoman Lyndsay Meyer. “Or they think the fact that is available for sale means that FDA said it was OK. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.”

The law might actually make it easier for marketers to peddle these products because dietary supplements by law can make some beauty promises that makeups and creams cannot.

— Associated Press

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.