What You Need to Know Before Selling Your Shampoo & Conditioner Bars

If you’re dreaming of selling your own shampoo and conditioner bars, one of the most important things to understand is that these are cosmetic products — and that means they’re regulated. It’s not enough to create a formula that works; if you want to sell it legally, you must make sure it’s compliant with the cosmetic regulations in your country.

Because I teach students worldwide in my Masterclass, I can’t give you exact, step‐by‐step instructions for every region. What I can do is give you a clear overview of how it works, plus guidance for the UK, US, and where to start if you’re based elsewhere.

Cosmetic Regulations: A General Overview

Cosmetic regulations exist to ensure that products are safe for use on skin and hair, correctly labelled, and backed by proper safety testing. Wherever you are in the world, you’ll usually need to:

• Prove safety – through a cosmetic safety assessment or testing by a qualified chemist.

• Register or notify your product in the relevant government database or portal.

• Label correctly – with ingredients, batch codes, shelf life, INCI names, and required warnings.

• Keep thorough records – including formulations, testing documents, supplier paperwork, and manufacturing practices.

  
  

The terminology and exact steps vary from country to country, but the principles are the same: your product must be safe, traceable, and properly labelled.

If You’re in the UK

In the UK, cosmetic products are regulated by the UK Cosmetics Regulation, which mirrors many of the EU rules but with UK-specific requirements. To sell legally, you’ll need:

• A Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) from a qualified safety assessor. The CPSR forms part of your Product Information File (PIF).

• Notify each product on the SCPN (Submit Cosmetic Product Notification) portal before sale.

• Keep a PIF in English for each product (held by your UK Responsible Person).

• Label using INCI and include the legally required details.

Reassurance: This can look overwhelming on paper, but once you begin the process, it becomes very step-by-step. When I started, I worked with Oxford Biosciences and found them efficient and genuinely pleasant to deal with. They walk you through what they need and keep it simple. (Here’s their site: oxfordbiosciences.com.)

If You’re in the US

In the US, the regulations are somewhat different. Key points include:

• You are responsible for ensuring your products are safe. The FDA does not require pre‐approval of cosmetics (except for colour additives in specific cases). (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

• Check prohibited or restricted ingredients very carefully — you must comply with ingredient restrictions under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

• Labels must be compliant — ingredient listing, net contents, manufacturer/contact info, warnings if needed, etc.

• There is a new law: Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA, 2022), which has expanded the FDA’s authority including facilitating adverse event reporting, facility registration and product listing in some cases. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

• Although product approval before going to market is generally not required, manufacturers often voluntarily register or take other steps (for credibility, liability protection, etc).

If You’re Elsewhere in the World

If you’re outside the UK or US, the requirements will vary — but the guiding principles are the same: safety assessments, registration or notification, correct labelling, traceable supplier documentation, and keeping full records.

Here’s how to find out more for your specific country:

• Search “[your country] cosmetic product regulations” via your government’s official health / consumer safety website.

• Contact the regulatory body responsible for cosmetics or consumer safety in your country.

• Consult a local cosmetics chemist or regulatory consultant who is familiar with your region.

Using My Masterclass Formulas

If you choose to learn with me inside the Masterclass, you can feel confident knowing that all of the formulas are designed with compliance in mind. Every recipe is balanced in ratios and ingredients so that it can be approved through the proper safety process.

Suppliers matter. Your assessor must see exactly where your ingredients come from, so choose reputable suppliers who provide documentation. In the UK, I recommend Bay House Aromatics because they make Safety Data Sheets and Certificates of Analysis easy to download, which streamlines your assessment: bayhousearomatics.com

FAQ: “If I use Kristina’s exact formula, do I still need a CPSR?”

Yes. The CPSR is not just about the formula; it is part of your Product Information File and links to your Responsible Person, labelling, suppliers, and manufacturing details. Each seller needs their own safety assessment and PIF, even if multiple people use the same recipe.

Why This Step Matters

It can feel like a lot of paperwork, but this step is absolutely essential. Not only does it protect your customers; it also protects you as a brand owner. Having the proper approvals in place gives you:

• Confidence that your products are safe.

• Credibility in the eyes of customers, retailers, customs, etc.

• Protection from legal risks and recalls.

• Peace of mind, so you can focus on creating and selling without worry.

And remember — my Masterclass will guide you in formulating high‐performance shampoo and conditioner bars. Once you’ve mastered the formulation side, making your products compliant is the next step that turns your passion into a real business.

Note: This article is general information, not legal advice. Always check current rules for your market.