Debunking the Claim: Eyelash Extension Products Approved by Health Canada
It’s becoming common for lash technicians or suppliers to advertise their primers, glues, or cleansers as “approved by Health Canada.” At first glance, this gives clients a sense of safety and trust. But here’s the problem: Health Canada does not approve cosmetic products like eyelash adhesives or primers. Instead, manufacturers are responsible for compliance with the law, and Health Canada enforces these rules after products enter the market.
Canada Does Not “Approve” Cosmetic Products
In Canada, cosmetics (including lash adhesives & primers) must be notified to Health Canada before sale, meaning the manufacturer submits information about the product. But this is not approval. Health Canada makes this distinction very clear:
“Cosmetic products do not receive pre-market approval. Instead, manufacturers and importers are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Food and Drugs Act and the Cosmetic Regulations.” (Health Canada – Eye Cosmetics)
So, while lash glues can be notified to Health Canada, there is no official “stamp of approval.” Any company claiming “approved by Santé Canada” is misleading customers.
No Regulations on Lash Technicians or Mandatory Approvals
Not only are products not approved—lash technicians themselves are not regulated nationally in Canada. The Canadian Association of Optometrists notes:
“There are currently no regulations in Canada outlining who can apply eyelash extensions or what materials can be used.” (Canadian Association of Optometrists)
This means that Santé Canada does not regulate lash artists, their training or their tools. The responsibility lies with manufacturers and sellers to ensure products meet cosmetic regulations.
Enforcement Focus: Labeling & Ingredients
Health Canada enforces compliance after products are on the market, with a focus on labeling and ingredient restrictions:
- In its 2023–2024 enforcement report, Health Canada reviewed eyelash adhesives containing cyanoacrylates and found many sellers were non-compliant due to missing safety warnings or improper professional-use labels. This led to stop sales and compliance actions. Many include the biggest names you may know already, yet they still claim to use "Health Canada approved products" on their website & marketing materials. View the report directly on Health Canada's website at the following link.
- Certain ingredients are outright prohibited under the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist (e.g., thioglycolic acid esters). Others require strict concentration limits or cautionary statements.
This shows that Health Canada monitors and enforces compliance but never grants an official product approval.
Why False Claims Are Harmful
When brands or lash techs say their products are “approved by Santé Canada,” they:
- Give clients a false sense of safety, leading them to underestimate potential risks.
- Spread misinformation about how cosmetic regulation actually works.
- Risk legal action, since misleading advertising violates Canada’s Competition Act and Cosmetic Regulations.
| Claim You’ve Seen | What’s Actually True |
|---|---|
| “Approved by Santé Canada” | No such approval exists for eyelash primers or glues. |
| "Canadian regulation of lash products" | Limited to post-market oversight, labelling, and prohibited ingredients, not pre-approval. |
| “Only technicians regulated by Santé Canada should use these products” | There are no nationwide regulations on lash techs or product endorsement by Health Canada. |
What clients and lash professionals should do instead:
- Remember, there is no such thing as an "Approved by Health Canada" logo. The use of the government's trademarks is illegal. Making false claims to mislead consumers is illegal.
- Rely on transparent labelling, ingredients full disclosure, and patch testing.
- Choose products from reputable companies that comply with Health Canada’s Cosmetic Regulations, but understand this is manufacturer compliance, not government approval.
-
Encourage honesty: If a lash tech claims their product is “approved by Santé Canada,” ask for clarifications. It should be “notified” or “compliant,” if accurate, not “approved".
Sources
- Health Canada. (2024). Eye cosmetics. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/cosmetics/eye-cosmetics.html
- Canadian Association of Optometrists. Eyelash extensions. Retrieved from: https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/eyelash-extensions
- Health Canada. (2024). Compliance verification project 2023–2024: cosmetic regulations and cyanoacrylate ingredients. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/reports-publications/industry-professionals/enforcement-summary-report/compliance-verification-project-2023-2024-cosmetic-regulations-cyanoacrylate-ingredients.html
- Health Canada. (2024). Cosmetic ingredient hotlist: Prohibited and restricted ingredients. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-hotlist-prohibited-restricted-ingredients.html