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The Truth Behind Cosmetic Claims: A Transparency Guide

Updated: 8 hours ago

Colored shadows of three bottles cast against a white wall and surface.
Shadows of deception: unmasking marketing myths

Unmasking Marketing Myths: Your Guide to Conscious Cosmetics

We are surrounded by claims designed to make products attractive, but they often rely on a lack of technical knowledge. In the European Union, cosmetic marketing claims are regulated statements used to describe a product's effects or characteristics. At babassu soaps Berlin, we believe in science over "sweet lies". This cosmetic claims guide is part of our Soap Academy, a modest educational initiative to promote transparency in the skincare industry.


How to Use This Cosmetic Claims Guide

Navigating the world of skincare can be overwhelming. As a Berlin-based laboratory, we believe transparency is the first step to healthy skin. In this series, we break down:

  • Regulated vs. Unregulated: Which claims are backed by law and which are just marketing fluff.

  • The Science of Terms: What labels like "pH-neutral" or "clinically tested" actually mean for your skin.

  • The INCI Priority: Why the ingredient list on the back is more honest than the marketing on the front.



The 4 Pillars of Cosmetic Transparency



How to Spot Misleading Cosmetic Claims

So how does one know what is genuine and what is misleading? The problem is that marketing often misleads us by taking advantage of our lack of technical knowledge. While claims in the cosmetics industry are strictly regulated, and claiming that a product directly fixes a medical problem is illegal, there are still overused methods to convince us one product is better than others.


There is no high authority that delineates the definition of every claim and makes a universal certification of any kind. Cosmetic claims are simply words that are typically self-imposed, self-regulated, and used at the discretion of the company. Consequently, they should always be taken with a grain of salt. It has been our experience that marketing claims generally do not match the ingredient list.



Woman in a white shirt examines a brown bottle, reading the label in a bright store with shelves of products. Focused expression.
This should be you after reading our guide: auditing the INCI list like a pro.

How to Verify Any Claim: 4 Steps to Shop Like a Pro

  1. Audit the INCI List: This is the only place marketing cannot hide. Ingredients are listed by weight; the first 5 usually make up 80% of the product.

  2. Question Vague Terminology: If a brand uses 'natural' or 'sustainable,' look for how they define those terms on their own site.

  3. Be Your Own Health Ambassador: Treat claims as sales attempts, not facts. The more you learn, the less influence 'marketing fluff' has on you.

  4. Demand Accountability: Reach out to companies. High-integrity brands are always happy to share their data and definitions.


The Industry Reality Check

Every day, we encounter various marketing claims designed to detail particular effects, assist decisions, or enhance a product's appeal. The problem is that they often mislead us by taking advantage of our lack of technical knowledge.


Hopefully, claims in the cosmetics industry are strictly regulated, and claiming that a product directly fixes a particular problem is illegal. Nonetheless, there are overused methods to convince us a product is better than others. Because there is no high authority that delineates the definition of every claim or provides a universal certification, these words are often used at the discretion of the company. They should always be taken with a grain of salt.


Is this information a marketing goal for babassu soaps ?

bubble illustration marketing claims myths




The Soap Academy is a purely educational initiative. While we produce soaps in our Berlin laboratory, this section is dedicated to changing consumption habits through science, not promotion. We believe that by empowering you with knowledge, you will naturally choose better products, whether they are ours or not. ----> Adopt a soap





Our Research Standards & Methodology

To ensure the Soap Academy remains a trusted resource, we follow a strict protocol for our information. As a Berlin-based soap manufactory led by scientific principles, we prioritize objective facts over marketing trends:

  • Primary Sources: Our articles are rooted in EU Cosmetics Regulations, peer-reviewed dermatological studies, and chemical engineering textbooks.

  • Integrity: we strictly avoid biased sources such as paid influencer content, anonymous beauty blogs, or unverified Wikipedia entries.

  • Transparency: Our goal is to provide an objective base of information, allowing you to judge any cosmetic product on the market with confidence.

As a Berlin-based soap manufactory, we believe in transparency over trends. Our goal is to provide more sustainable, science-backed skincare without the marketing fluff. Have questions? Visit us in Berlin or reach out online!



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