Salon Verify

May 3, 2025

The beauty industry has long been a reflection of societal values, but its rapid growth has exposed significant gaps in regulation. From cosmetic products to non-surgical aesthetic procedures, inconsistent standards and a lack of oversight have left consumers vulnerable. As we navigate 2025, it’s clear that stricter government regulation is not just necessary—it’s overdue.

The Current Landscape of Beauty Regulations

Globally, regulatory frameworks for the beauty industry vary widely. In the European Union, stringent regulations like Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 ensure ingredient transparency and safety, banning harmful substances and mandating clear labelling. Meanwhile, the United States and the UK are grappling with fragmented or insufficient oversight.

In the UK, the aesthetics sector has grown into a £3.6 billion market, but this expansion has come with risks. Non-surgical procedures like Botox and dermal fillers are often performed by unqualified practitioners, leading to botched treatments and even fatalities. Recent government proposals aim to introduce mandatory licensing for high-risk procedures, age restrictions for minors, and standardized training requirements. However, these measures remain in development, leaving significant gaps in consumer protection.

In the U.S., state-level regulations create a patchwork of rules that complicate compliance for companies. For instance, states like California and Maryland have enacted ingredient bans for cosmetics starting in 2025, but enforcement remains inconsistent. This lack of uniformity highlights the need for federal oversight to ensure safety across all jurisdictions.

Why Stricter Standards Are Necessary

Consumer Safety: The rise of unregulated practitioners performing invasive procedures has led to severe complications. Tragic cases like Alice Webb’s death following a non-surgical Brazilian Butt Lift underscore the urgent need for stricter controls. Licensing schemes and mandatory training can prevent such incidents by ensuring only qualified professionals perform high-risk treatments.
Transparency and Accountability: Many beauty products still contain harmful chemicals due to lax regulations. For example, while some jurisdictions ban carcinogenic or toxic ingredients, others allow their use with minimal oversight. Uniform standards would compel manufacturers to prioritize safer formulations.
Professionalization of the Industry: Without standardized qualifications, the beauty sector struggles to be taken seriously as a professional field. Organizations like BABTAC have called for government-regulated standards to elevate industry credibility and protect consumers from unqualified practitioners.
Ethical Practices: The clean beauty movement and cruelty-free advocacy have highlighted the importance of ethical practices in the industry. Governments must enforce stricter definitions for terms like “natural” and “organic” while banning animal testing globally.

The Path Forward

To address these challenges, governments must adopt comprehensive regulatory frameworks that prioritize safety, transparency, and professionalism:

Mandatory Licensing: All practitioners offering high-risk procedures should be licensed and required to meet national training standards.
Ingredient Bans: Harmful chemicals should be universally prohibited in beauty products, with clear labelling requirements for transparency.
Consumer Education: Public awareness campaigns can help individuals make informed choices about products and services.
Global Collaboration: International cooperation can harmonize standards across borders, ensuring consistent safety measures worldwide.

Balancing Regulation with Accessibility

Critics argue that increased regulation could drive up costs, potentially pushing consumers toward unlicensed or overseas providers. To mitigate this risk, governments must ensure that new regulations are practical and affordable for both businesses and consumers. Subsidies or incentives for training programs could help small businesses comply without passing excessive costs onto customers.

The beauty industry is at a crossroads. While its growth reflects evolving societal values around self-expression and self-care, it also exposes vulnerabilities that demand immediate attention. Stricter government regulation is essential to safeguard consumers, professionalize the industry, and align beauty standards with modern ethical values. By prioritizing safety and accountability, we can ensure that beauty enhances lives without compromising well-being.

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The State of Beauty Standards: Why We Need Government Regulation