Episode Summary
In this season finale, the team unpacks how cosmetics are regulated by the FDA, a category that has historically fallen into a gray area compared to drugs and dietary supplements. They begin with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938, which granted the FDA authority over cosmetics.
From there, the hosts break down the biggest change in cosmetics law in nearly a century: the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA). They explain how MoCRA gives the FDA new powers (mandatory recalls, record access, facility registration, safety substantiation) and how it closes long‑standing gaps in safety oversight. Real‑world case studies, including JoJo Siwa’s asbestos‑contaminated makeup and Neutrogena’s 2025 bacterial contamination recall, reveal why MoCRA was needed and how it’s already reshaping industry responsibilities.
They close by discussing what MoCRA doesn’t change, including ambiguity around terms like “cruelty‑free,” “not tested on animals,” and “organic.”