One thing I’ve learned as a small business owner is that label shape changes how people perceive your product before they ever read a word. I’ve spent plenty of time choosing shapes for my own branding,<\/a> and it’s amazing how much personality something as simple as a rectangle versus an arch can communicate. When you’re packaging handmade soap, that decision becomes even more important because the label is often one of the first things customers notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you get to the fun stuff like shapes and branding, it’s important that you figure out which rules apply to your product. Handmade soap isn’t regulated the same way across the board. What you say about your soap\u2014on the label and everywhere you market it\u2014really matters.<\/strong> That includes your packaging, online product listings, and other marketing materials. Those claims determine how your product is legally classified and what labeling rules apply to your handmade soap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose the description that best matches how you talk about your handmade soap to potential customers. Expand it to learn which rules apply to you and where to find the official requirements. for your labels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your label simply describes your handmade soap and what it smells like, you’re probably in this category. Avoid promising further benefits unless you’re prepared to follow different regulations\u2014even something simple like saying it’s gentle on skin or kills germs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your label says your soap moisturizes, softens skin, brightens skin, or provides other beauty benefits, it may be considered a cosmetic. Putting these claims on your label often feels like natural way to describe handmade soap, but they can change how your product is regulated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes it’s really hard to wrap your head around things that seem cosmetic, but are actually medical conditions like acne, eczema, or stress. Claims that your soap treats, relieves, soothes, prevents, or reduces the symptoms of a medical condition can mean your product is classified as a drug<\/a>. These claims are held to a much higher standard, so it’s important to understand the requirements before you create your labels or market your product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you’re describing an ingredient rather than the soap itself, putting that statement on your packaging can still be considered a claim about the product.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Here are common real-life examples of text on labels that could mean your handmade soap is regulated as a drug by the FDA:<\/p>\n\n\n\nBefore you design your label: Know the rules<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Which of these sound like you?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I describe the texture, feel, and scent<\/strong><\/summary>\n
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I describe beauty benefits on my soap labels<\/strong><\/summary>\n
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“Treats,” “relieves,” or “soothes” are words I use to describe my soap<\/strong><\/summary>\n
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