What Do Beauty Certifications Actually Mean? Experts Break It Down

What Does FDA Cleared vs. FDA Approved Mean?

It’s important to note that FDA cleared and FDA approved are two different regulatory designations—and they aren't interchangeable.

When it comes to the majority of beauty in particular, “FDA Clearance means the [Food and Drug Administration] evaluated a device—like an LED mask or microneedling tool—and found it 'substantially equivalent' in safety and technology to an existing device already on the market,” explains cosmetic chemist and skin biologist Shuting Hu, PhD. “It ensures the tool is safe and operates similarly to existing options, not that it delivers superior or extraordinary clinical results.”

FDA Approved, on the other hand, “applies to a higher risk product (or drug) that has undergone a very arduous, more expensive and rigorous testing,” Dr. Shamban shares. “The review protocol is significantly more expensive.” 

But she clarifies, “Both classifications verify a level and standard of care, efficacy, and safety that is valuable and reliable across categories for patient care.” 

What Does Clinically Tested Mean in Beauty?

"Clinically tested" may sound authoritative, but the term alone doesn't tell you how rigorous—or compelling—a study actually was.

As Dr. Hu explains, “It confirms a formula was applied to human subjects under observation at some point, but it tells you nothing about the study's design, participant count, or actual findings. Under FTC (Federal Trade Commission) advertising guidelines, a brand can test a serum on five people for three days and legally claim it was 'clinically tested.' Unless a brand willingly discloses the participant sample size, study duration, and statistical significance behind the data, treat the claim with healthy skepticism.”

Dr. Shamban adds, “It’s the manufacturer who sets the scope and execution of the testing, so there’s a lot of 'leeway' between standards. Anyone who meets the basic criteria can use the term. Many private dermatological testing labs are highly reputable. Often, however, a brand runs its own studies. These are usually based on tolerance or more basic consumer perception studies, and the results are often reported internally.” 

What Does Third-Party Verified Mean?

Third-party verification can carry more weight because it involves an organization outside the brand—but it's still worth looking at who's doing the verifying and what, exactly, has been evaluated.

“This is a standard, not just a marketing term,” Dr. Shamban shares. “Consumers can have some additional confidence in their purchase here. Being third-party verified means an independent and presumably unbiased organization, which has no financial or other ties, has reviewed the claims or tested the product to confirm accuracy. While the manufacturer does pay for this verification, it can still be considered reliable because the verifying organizations engaged are expected to use very strict, objective testing standards.”

In fact, Dr. Hu considers this verification among the most trustworthy claims on a packaging label.

“The auditor has zero financial stake in the product's commercial success,” she explains. “Certifications like Leaping Bunny for cruelty-free standards require rigorous, independent supply-chain auditing down to the raw material suppliers. When a claim is backed by an accredited third-party body rather than a brand's internal marketing team, it carries genuine scientific weight.”

What Do Dermatologist-Tested, Approved, and Recommended Mean?

This is surprising, because when we hear a derm is involved in a product’s launch or gives it a thumbs-up, we automatically assume it’s gotta be okay, right? Well, according to our experts, “derm” is typically used as a marketing term here. While yes, derm involvement could be true, it doesn’t guarantee the legitimacy we’d expect in this case.

Even with derm-developed, you might ask?

“Dermatologist-developed means a licensed medical doctor has actively created or helped create a formula, product, tool, or device,” Dr. Shamban says. “It comes with a consumer expectation of trust, based on their comprehensive understanding of skin anatomy and ability to diagnose and manage thousands of health issues pertaining to skin, hair, and nails. It implies that a dermatologist has literal skin in the game in terms of being actively involved in raw ingredients and formulation, pH testing, concentration, stability, and other elements that go into creating each SKU, rather than simply being paid to review or endorse.”

But, according to Dr. Hu, “Consumers often imagine a dermatologist formulating in an R&D lab, but there is zero regulatory definition for 'dermatologist-developed.' In practice, this claim spans a wide spectrum, from a board-certified dermatologist co-formulating a product from scratch, to a brand simply paying an advisory panel member to review a finished formula deck. Because there’s no standard for how involved the physician actually was, it’s one of the easiest marketing claims to leverage without offering real proof.”

As for terms like "dermatologist-tested," "dermatologist-approved," and "dermatologist-recommended," consider them context rather than a guarantee. These claims aren't governed by universal standards, so they don't tell you how many dermatologists were involved, how a product was evaluated, or what criteria it had to meet.

“None of these are FDA regulated, nor are they supported or verified with backing from the FDA,” Dr. Shamban explains. “Again, there are no universal standards to these claims. They’re marketing tools that elevate consumer trust. How many [derms] have tested, approved, or recommended? And, under what circumstances? Did a dermatologist simply perform a basic safety or patch test on the final product? Did they test on five, 50, or 500 patients? Were they tested on all ethnicities, all Fitzpatrick types, all ages and both males and females?”  

The doctor also notes, “Limited information and very vague, general terms limit the ability to rely on these claims without reading labels, understanding ingredients, knowing your own skin type and patch testing yourself before determining if a product is right for you.” 

What Is the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance?

Now here’s a certification worth noting. 

The National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance is “one of the few consumer seals backed by strict scientific and clinical rigor,” explains Dr. Hu. “To earn it, a product must undergo mandatory clinical safety testing (i.e. HRIPT [Human Repeat Insult Patch Test] or Cumulative Irritation Testing) and be entirely free of known irritants on the NEA's 'Ecz-clusion List,' including synthetic and natural fragrances, essential oils, and harsh preservatives. It’s a dependable benchmark for reactive or eczema-prone skin.”

These products earn their seal by being evaluated by dermatologists, allergy specialists, and third-party organizations.

These reliable sources “determine both safety and suitability for patients with eczema, highly reactive, or sensitive skin,” Dr. Shamban says. “There’s an extensive list of ingredients that must be excluded, including all fragrances, chemicals, formaldehydes, toxins, and irritants.”

Which Beauty Certifications and Claims Can You Trust?

Beauty labels can give you useful information, but the biggest takeaway is that not every impressive-sounding claim carries the same weight. A regulatory designation or reputable third-party certification can tell you something very different from a term like "dermatologist-tested," which doesn't follow one universal standard.

Instead of taking any single claim as proof that a product is right for you, look at the bigger picture: who's behind the claim, what testing or criteria were involved, and whether the formula makes sense for your skin. And when you're dealing with a persistent skin concern or aren't sure whether a product belongs in your routine, a board-certified dermatologist is still one of your best resources.