Labeling Melt & Pour Soaps

There many questions about labeling soap especially melt and pour soap. In this article, Labeling Melt & Pour Soaps by Debbie May of Wholesale Supplies Plus states:

"Melt and Pour Soap (MP Soap) is a commercially produced compound formulated for the purpose of cleansing the body. Natural vegetable oils are saponified and used as a base for the MP Soap. Additives are commonly added to the base to improve clarity, lather and craftability.

The Food and Drug Association (FDA) states that if a product is predominately comprised of fatty acids and alkalis for the purpose of cleansing the body, it does not meet the requirement of a cosmetic and does not need to be labeled as a cosmetic.

This means that instead of the FDA soap falls under the watch of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. They require the following on the label:

Identifying statement indicating the word "Soap"
Net Weight of Product
Name and Place of Business

If you make the claim that your MP Soap has special moisturizing properties or has specific benefits such as exfoliating, then it does fall in the FDA definition of a cosmetic and must be labeled as a cosmetic. In this case they require the following on the label:

Identifying statement indicating the word "Soap"
Net Weight of Product
Name and Place of Business
Directions for Safe Use
Warning and Caution Statements
Ingredients

The FDA Cosmetic Website has additional information for your reference."

Another great reference would be Marie Gale's book about labeling.