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.

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 extracts

like bamboo silica, horsetail, and saw palmetto (unless covered under specific authorized claims for nutrients they contain)
For these ingredients, no health or function claims may be made under EU law. Phrases such as "supports your beauty routine" or "for beauty from within" occupy a regulatory grey area — their permissibility depends on overall context, presentation, and how a reasonably informed consumer would interpret them. Brands should seek legal review before using such language in labeling or marketing communications.

How to Stay Compliant

-1-

Combine functional nutrients with approved claims
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:
- “Contains vitamin C and zinc”
- “High in selenium”
- (as long as nutrient content meets EU thresholds for “source of” or “high in” claims)
-3-

Avoid unsubstantiated wording

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" or "non-GMO" can add consumer appeal and these are not health claims under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Note that environmental and sustainability claims — such as "sustainably sourced" or "eco-friendly" — are subject to separate requirements under Directive 2024/825 and must be specific, verifiable, and substantiated before use in consumer communications.

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

Ready to Launch?

Contact BF‑EssE’s team for tailored support.
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.