Guides

Product categories

What the products are for, how they differ, what standards apply, and what to look for on the label. Written to support understanding, not purchasing decisions.

• SunscreensCosmetic products in the EU: Annex VI UV filters, SPF and UVA-PF testing standards (ISO 24444, ISO 24443), the UVA seal, and differences from US regulation.
• CleansersSurfactant classes, syndet versus soap, pH, micellar formulations, and what label terms such as soap-free mean under EU cosmetic regulation.
• MoisturizersHumectants, emollients and occlusives, vehicle types, atopic-prone-skin labelling, and the distinction from medical-device emollients.
• Retinoid skincareThe retinoid family in cosmetic skincare: retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl esters, the boundary with prescription tretinoin and adapalene, and EU concentration limits.
• Oral rehydration solutionsThe WHO/UNICEF reduced-osmolarity formula, regulatory classification in the EU, and where ORS sit in the pharmacy/parapharmacy split by country.
• Basic wound carePlasters, dressings and antiseptic solutions: medical-device classification under the MDR, CE marking, and the distinction between antiseptic devices and medicines.
• ThermometersClinical thermometers as medical devices in the EU: galinstan, digital, infrared tympanic and forehead types, accuracy standards, the mercury ban, and CE marking.
• Compression stockingsEuropean compression classes (RAL), the difference from support hosiery, intended uses, CE marking under the MDR, and measurement.