The Oversight of Cosmetic Products" is the title of the extended meeting for the sector of beauty salons and women's grooming centers
Asharqia Chamber, represented by the Committee for Beauty Salons and Women's Grooming Centers, organized an extended meeting titled "The Oversight of Cosmetic Products." The meeting hosted Abeer Al-Nasser, a senior expert in control and warnings at the General Authority for Food and Drug.
Al-Nasser stated that a cosmetic product is a product intended for use on external parts of the human body, including the skin, hair, nails, lips, teeth, or the oral cavity, for the purposes of cleaning, perfuming, protection, or changing their appearance and enhancing it, or for changing the body's odor and improving it. Products used inside the ear and eye are excluded from this definition. She emphasized that the product list is the main reference adopted for cosmetic products circulated in the market. The list includes definitions of cosmetic products, general requirements for labeling information, prohibited and restricted substances, colors, and preservatives.
Regarding the list of prohibited substances, Al-Nasser mentioned during the meeting held on the evening of Wednesday, November 29, 2023, and moderated by the committee's chair, Sha'a Al-Duhailan, that prohibited substances are those that are not allowed to be used in the manufacture of cosmetic products at all. These are specified in the technical regulations approved by the authority. She also highlighted another list that restricts uses to specific proportions. These are substances that cannot be used in the manufacture of cosmetic products except in accordance with the restrictions specified in the technical regulations approved by the authority.
Regarding the role of the authority after the marketing of cosmetic products, she affirmed that the authority deals with reports of side effects received from various segments of society. It also conducts inspection campaigns and market surveys to verify the conformity and safety of circulated products. Additionally, it warns consumers against using unsafe products. She highlighted common practices and mistakes, such as the improper use of hair straightening products or dyes, the failure to test sensitivity to hair dyes and henna, the use of mixtures with unknown sources and ingredients, and finally, the sharing of cosmetic products.
Al-Nasser concluded the meeting by offering several tips, including being cautious about using personal tools or single-use products to avoid infectious diseases. She emphasized the importance of washing and sterilizing all tools used before and after each use through necessary sanitization methods. She advised against using products of unknown origin or mixtures and urged reporting them to the authority if noticed. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of conducting sensitivity tests for certain products before use, such as hair dyes and straightening products. She also recommended using products suitable for children and avoiding the use of adult products for children, as they may pose risks and dangers to young children.
