Regulation Tip: Hydration Claims – What You Can Say Without Testing

Hydration is one of the most commonly advertised benefits in skincare, but it is also one of the most misunderstood when it comes to regulation. Many new formulators believe every hydration claim needs testing, while others assume any product can claim hydration without proof. The truth sits somewhere in the middle, and it is much simpler than most people realise.

If your product contains well known humectants at meaningful levels, such as glycerin, propanediol or hyaluronic acid, you can make basic hydration claims without clinical testing. These include:

• Hydrates the skin

• Improves moisture

• Leaves skin feeling hydrated

These simple, functional claims are accepted across AU, US, EU and NZ because the hydrating effect of humectants is well supported in scientific literature.

However, once you move into stronger or more specific claims like 24 hour hydration or clinically proven hydration increases, regulators expect proper testing on the finished product, such as corneometry.

If you want the full step by step explanation of what counts as proof and how each region handles hydration claims.

Download the full guide here!