FDA warns Avon over false marketing claims

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a letter of warning to the American cosmetics manufacturer Avon Products on the marketing claims of its certain anti-wrinkle products, with the company suggesting that the products are drugs.

The agency, which has reviewed Avon’s website in August 2012, has pointed out that several products, such as Anew Clinical Advanced Wrinkle Corrector, Anew Reversalist Night Renewal Cream, Anew Reversalist Renewal Serum, Anew Clinical Thermafirm Face Lifting Cream and Solutions Liquid Bra Toning Gel, were marketed as medications under federal law.

According to the agency, the claims indicate that the products were intended to affect the structure or any function of the human body.

The agency noted that Anew Clinical Advanced Wrinkle Corrector is marketed with claims ‘formulated to boost shock-absorbing proteins to help strengthen skin’s support layers.’

FDA also objected to claims that Anew Clinical Thermafirm Face Lifting Cream ‘is formulated to fortify damaged tissue with new collagen,’ and helps ‘tighten the connections between skin’s layers.’, according to Washington Street Journal.

FDA said the company needed to resolve the violations outlined in the letter.

Although antiwrinkle products make frequent claims of reducing the appearance of wrinkles, the FDA is going beyond the claims to discuss things like the stimulation of cells or rejuvenating the skin’s repair process.

In September 2012, the agency had warned L’Oréal SA’s Lancome unit on claims made on some of its antiwrinkle products.