Skincare, sunscreen, eye patches, shampoo and toothpaste are not “FDA approved” in the Philippines. They are notified cosmetics, with a number that starts with NN-. Here is how to look one up in about two minutes, and how to tell when a listing does not match the record.
The short version
What a cosmetic notification is
The FDA Philippines notifies cosmetics: the company tells the FDA about a product before selling it, and the FDA lists it with an NN- number and a validity date. A notification means the product is on record. It does not mean the FDA tested it, approved it or agrees with the claims on a listing. Our registered vs. approved explainer covers the difference.
Do this
Five steps to check a listing
- Write down the exact product name and brand from the listing, and any NN- number the seller prints.
- Open the FDA Philippines verification portal and search one distinctive word, such as the brand or the product line. In our checks one word worked best; a long multi-word search often returned nothing.
- Open the matching records. Read the product name, the company, the NN- number and the validity date.
- Match the product, not just the brand. A brand can have dozens of notified products, and only the one with the same name and variant counts as a match.
- Check the validity date and search the brand for advisories. Advisories name specific products, so look for yours.
Checked on the FDA verification portal in October 2026.
Worked examples
What a match and a near-miss look like
| Listing | What we found on the portal | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Body Treats Brightening Hydrogel Eye Patch | Notified under the same name: NN-1000015942367, Lifestrong Marketing Inc., valid to 16 March 2028 | Exact match |
| Lanbena Vitamin C eye patch | Lanbena Philippines Inc. has notified an Antioxidant Vitamin C eye patch (NN-1000016309396, valid to 12 October 2027) | Match at product level |
| Lanbena “Vitamin C + Retinol” eye patch | Separate Vitamin C and Retinol patches are notified; we found no record for a combined one. The Retinol record (NN-1000014245957) is valid only to 6 November 2026 | Not matched as a combined product |
| Another seller’s product with a printed certificate number that is not NN- | A code in a different format could not be matched to a Philippine FDA record | Cannot be verified |
Be careful
What a match does not tell you
- It does not mean the FDA tested the product or approved its claims. Cosmetics can make cosmetic claims such as cleansing, moisturising or sun protection.
- It does not mean the item you receive is genuine. A valid number can be copied onto another product, so match the company and product name, and buy from the brand’s own store where there is one.
- A brand with a notification for one product has not necessarily notified the others. Advisories exist for some brands’ other products; for example, we found Lanbena advisories for a cream, a teeth-whitening essence and a lip polish, but none naming the eye patches.
- The portal returns only the first matches for a name. If you find nothing, that is not proof the product is unnotified, but it is a reason to ask the seller for the number or pick another product.
Advisories
Reading an FDA advisory
The FDA posts public health warnings against specific products. For cosmetics the wording is typically “unnotified” or “unauthorized”. An advisory names a product and a date, so it applies to that product, not the whole brand. Search the brand name on the portal and read the advisory titles before you buy.
Our method
How this shows up in our guides
Every guide for a cosmetic checks the notification and advisories and records the NN- number and validity date. Examples: under-eye patches, toothpaste, sunscreen and facial cleanser. We never write “FDA approved” for a cosmetic.
Cosmetic notification: common questions
Are cosmetics registered or notified?
Notified. Their numbers start with NN-, and the portal shows a validity date. Foods and supplements are registered (FR-) and medicines carry DR- numbers.
Is a sunscreen or serum “FDA approved”?
No. The FDA does not approve cosmetics. A seller using “FDA approved” for a cosmetic is using the wrong word.
What if the validity date has passed?
Treat it as a flag. Ask the seller whether the notification was renewed, and check the brand’s other records on the portal.
What if I cannot find the product on the portal?
It is not proof it is unnotified, because the portal shows only the first matches. Try one distinctive word, then ask the seller for the NN- number, or choose a product you can match.
Does a notification mean a product is safe for my skin?
No. It is general information, not medical advice. Do a patch test, stop if your skin reacts and ask a dermatologist if unsure.