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Is shampoo a cosmetic or a drug?

Why the words on the bottle decide which rules apply.

Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It does not change our guidance. Affiliate Disclosure

Intended use decides

The FDA says whether a product is a cosmetic or a drug under the law "is determined by a product's intended use." It says intended use can be established by claims on the product labeling, in advertising, on the Internet, or in other promotional materials.

Cosmetics

The law defines cosmetics as articles intended for "cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance." The FDA lists "cleansing shampoos" and "hair colors" among them.

Drugs

The law defines drugs, in part, as articles intended for use in "the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease" and articles intended to "affect the structure or any function of the body." The FDA gives claims that products will "restore hair growth" as an example.

Both

The FDA says an antidandruff shampoo is a cosmetic because its intended use is to cleanse the hair, and a drug because its intended use is to treat dandruff.

What the FDA does not approve

The FDA says cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, "are not approved by the FDA before they go on the market." The FDA also says companies that make or market cosmetics are responsible for the safety and labeling of their products and ingredients.

What this site does

We describe shampoos as cosmetics, in appearance words. We make no claim that any product acts on dandruff, hair loss, or any scalp condition. See a doctor or dermatologist about scalp problems or hair loss.

Sources: FDA, Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?); FDA, Hair Cleansing Products.

FAQ

Is a hair loss shampoo a cosmetic?

It depends on its claims. The FDA says a claim that a product will "restore hair growth" is a drug claim. We do not describe any product that way.

Is purple shampoo a drug?

We describe it as a cosmetic. The FDA lists "cleansing shampoos" and "hair colors" as cosmetics.

General information, not medical advice. Follow the label. We suggest testing a new hair product on a small patch of skin first. Keep it out of your eyes, and stop use if irritation occurs. For hair dye, the FDA says to do a patch test every time and never to dye your eyebrows or eyelashes. See a doctor or dermatologist about scalp problems or hair loss.

A clear unlabeled glass bottle of pale lilac liquid standing on a pale travertine ledge

Purple shampoo, explained

What it is, in plain words.

A plain bottle, a blank ivory carton, and a brass magnifying glass on stone

Reading a shampoo label

Order, colors, fragrance.

A plain dark brown glass bottle with a blank ivory tag tied on with string

Sulfate-free and other free-from labels

Label words, explained.

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