EFSA Health Claims for Beauty Supplements – What’s Allowed
In the EU, all nutrition and health claims for food supplements — including beauty-from-within products — are regulated by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Only health claims authorized by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) can be used in marketing and product labeling.
This means that even if an ingredient is scientifically linked to beauty benefits, you cannot make a claim unless EFSA has approved it.
Only health claims authorized by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) can be used in marketing and product labeling.
This means that even if an ingredient is scientifically linked to beauty benefits, you cannot make a claim unless EFSA has approved it.
Key Principles of EFSA Health Claims
Claims must be authorized
and appear in the EU Register of Nutrition and Health Claims.
Wording must be accurate —
you must use the exact or equivalent phrasing approved by EFSA.
Conditions of use must be met —
this includes minimum or maximum nutrient amounts per serving.
Beauty-related terms
like “anti-aging” or “wrinkle reduction” are not authorized and cannot be used as health claims in the EU.
Vitamins & Minerals (most common in beauty formulas)
Allowed Health Claims for Beauty Supplement Ingredients
- Vitamin C“Contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin” (≥12 mg/day)
“Contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress” - Zinc“Contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, skin and nails” (≥1.5 mg/day)
- Selenium“Contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and nails” (≥8.25 μg/day)
- Biotin (Vitamin B7)“Contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin” (≥7.5 μg/day)
- Copper“Contributes to normal hair and skin pigmentation”
“Contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress” -
Other Approved Nutrients
- Vitamin A“Contributes to the maintenance of normal skin”
- Vitamin E“Contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress”
- Iodine“Contributes to the maintenance of normal skin”
Ingredients Without EFSA-Approved Claims
Many popular beauty supplement ingredients cannot have direct beauty claims because EFSA has not approved them. Examples include:
- Collagen(no authorized claim on skin, hair, or nails)
- Hyaluronic acid
- Coenzyme Q10
- Resveratrol
- Plant extractslike bamboo silica, horsetail, and saw palmetto (unless covered under specific authorized claims for nutrients they contain)
-
For these, marketing can only use general, non-health descriptors like “supports your beauty routine” or “for beauty from within,” without implying a physiological benefit unless backed by an approved claim.
How to Stay Compliant
1. Combine functional nutrients with approved claims
For example, a collagen supplement with added vitamin C can use the claim:
For example, a collagen supplement with added vitamin C can use the claim:
- “Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.”
2. Use structure and composition claims instead of health claims
Allowed statements include:
Terms like “anti-aging,” “reduces wrinkles,” “restores hair growth,” or “eliminates cellulite” are prohibited unless specifically authorized.
Allowed statements include:
- “Contains vitamin C and zinc”
- “High in selenium”
- (as long as nutrient content meets EU thresholds for “source of” or “high in” claims)
Terms like “anti-aging,” “reduces wrinkles,” “restores hair growth,” or “eliminates cellulite” are prohibited unless specifically authorized.
EU Market Trends in Claim Strategy
Dual claims approach: Combining EFSA-approved nutrient claims with lifestyle branding language
Clean label marketing: Highlighting “vegan,” “non-GMO,” “sustainably sourced” — these are not health claims but add consumer appeal
Beauty-from-within positioning: Using visual branding and education instead of unapproved health promises
See: Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 — Health Claims
Or read our food supplement detailed regulatory breakdown: Regulatory Guide: Collagen & Labeling
Clean label marketing: Highlighting “vegan,” “non-GMO,” “sustainably sourced” — these are not health claims but add consumer appeal
Beauty-from-within positioning: Using visual branding and education instead of unapproved health promises
See: Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 — Health Claims
Or read our food supplement detailed regulatory breakdown: Regulatory Guide: Collagen & Labeling
Navigating EFSA health claim regulations is essential for beauty supplement brands in the EU. By focusing on approved nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and biotin — and carefully combining them with trending beauty actives — brands can remain compliant while creating products that resonate with consumers. The key is balancing regulatory compliance with creative brand storytelling.
FAQ – EFSA Health Claims for Beauty Supplements
No — EFSA has not approved any direct beauty claims for collagen. You can only claim benefits from approved nutrients in your formula.
Include enough vitamin C, zinc, or biotin in your formula to meet EFSA thresholds and use their approved claims.
They can be considered implied health claims if they show a change in a regulated function — use caution and seek legal review.
Not as a health claim. You can use it as a branding term, but avoid linking it to a physiological benefit without EFSA authorization.
On the EU Register of Nutrition and Health Claims at https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/labelling_nutrition/claims