Banned words & restricted claims for marketplace listings
What you can and can't say on TikTok Shop, Amazon, Walmart, and Shopify when selling cosmetics or supplements. Every term is mapped to the regulation behind it and the compliant rewrite that works.
36 terms
"100% natural"
CautionConditional — the FTC scrutinizes 'natural' absolutes closely.
"anti-acne"
CriticalNo — acne treatment requires OTC monograph compliance.
"anti-aging"
WarningConditional — allowed if framed around appearance, not biology.
"anti-fungal"
CriticalNo — fungal disease claims regulate the product as a drug.
"anti-inflammatory"
CriticalNo — describing reduction of inflammation is a drug claim.
"anti-viral"
CriticalNo — anti-viral language requires FDA drug approval.
"antibacterial"
CriticalNo — it's a pesticide/drug claim under FIFRA and the FD&C Act.
"antimicrobial"
CriticalNo — same rule as 'antibacterial'; pesticide/drug claim.
"appetite suppressant"
CriticalNo — appetite suppression is a drug effect.
"boosts energy"
WarningConditional — DSHEA-permitted with the right framing and disclaimer.
"boosts immunity"
WarningConditional — 'supports immune function' is OK; 'boosts' is gray.
"chemical-free"
CautionNo — scientifically meaningless and FTC-flagged.
"clinically proven"
WarningConditional — only with a controlled clinical study on file.
"cures"
CriticalNo — curing disease is the definition of a drug.
"dermatologist-recommended"
WarningConditional — requires a documented survey of dermatologists.
"doctor-recommended"
WarningConditional — same substantiation rule as 'dermatologist-recommended.'
"fat burner"
CriticalNo — 'burns fat' describes a drug-level metabolic effect.
"FDA-approved"
CriticalNo — only NDA-approved drugs may use this exact phrase.
"guaranteed results"
CautionNo — absolute and time-bound guarantees require controlled studies.
"heals"
CriticalNo — implies wound or tissue repair, a drug effect.
"hypoallergenic"
CautionConditional — FDA-permitted but undefined; FTC requires substantiation.
"kills germs"
CriticalNo — pesticide claim requiring EPA registration.
"lowers blood pressure"
CriticalNo — blood pressure is a disease endpoint.
"lowers cholesterol"
CriticalNo — cholesterol claims are tightly restricted by FDA.
"non-toxic"
CautionConditional — meaningful only with specific toxicity data.
"permanent results"
WarningNo for cosmetics — implies a drug-level effect.
"prevents"
CriticalNo — disease prevention is a drug claim.
"repairs skin barrier"
WarningNo — 'repair' is structural/drug language for cosmetics.
"reverses aging"
CriticalNo — reversing biological aging is a drug claim.
"sanitizes"
CriticalNo — EPA-registered pesticide language.
"SPF"
CriticalNo for cosmetics — SPF claims regulate the product as an OTC drug.
"stimulates collagen production"
WarningNo for cosmetics — it's a structure/function (drug) claim.
"supports metabolism"
CautionConditional — DSHEA-permitted for supplements with disclaimer.
"treats"
CriticalNo — 'treats' is the canonical drug verb.
"weight loss"
CriticalNo — weight-loss claims are a top FTC enforcement priority.
"wrinkle-removing"
CriticalNo — removing wrinkles claims altering skin structure.