What Does “Safety Assessed” Skincare Really Mean?

Megan and Willow Handcrafted Soaps
Oct 12, 2025
3 min read

Understanding CPSR and Why It Matters for Your Skin

A woman carefully applies facial cream in front of a mirror, focusing on her skincare routine.

You’ve probably seen lots of beautiful handmade soaps, body butters, and skincare products online. But have you ever wondered , are they all truly safe to use on your skin?

The saying "buyer beware" is the English translation of the Latin phrase "caveat emptor," and it means that the buyer is responsible for checking the quality and suitability of a product or service before purchasing it. It is a legal principle that places the responsibility on the buyer to perform due diligence, such as inspections and research, rather than on the seller to disclose all potential flaw

At Megan & Willow, we believe skincare should be as safe as it is beautiful. That’s why every one of our products is fully safety-assessed and CPSR certified, meeting the strict UK Cosmetic Regulations (1223/2009).

In this guide, we’ll explain what CPSR means, why it’s essential for skincare safety, and how it sets genuine, responsible brands apart from the rest.

What Is a CPSR?

A Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) is an independent safety assessment required by law for all cosmetics sold in the UK. It’s like a health check for your skincare ensuring that every ingredient, combination, and concentration is proven safe for its intended cosmetic use.

Each CPSR is carried out by a qualified chemist or toxicologist, who carefully reviews:

The safety and purity of each ingredient
How ingredients interact in your formula
Product stability, hygiene, and labelling
Potential risks such as irritation or sensitisation

Only once a product passes its CPSR can it legally be sold.

That means if a brand is selling without one, it’s not just cutting corners, it’s breaking the law and risking your skin health.

Why CPSR Certification Matters

When you choose skincare that’s CPSR compliant, you’re choosing products that have been professionally reviewed and verified as safe.

Here’s why it matters:

Peace of Mind: You can trust that what you’re putting on your skin has been assessed by a professional safety expert.

Consistent Quality: CPSR testing ensures formulas are stable, balanced, and won’t separate or spoil.

True Transparency: Ingredients are properly documented and listed, so you always know exactly what’s in your skincare.

Unfortunately, not all handmade skincare brands follow these rules. Some sell untested, unstable, or unsafe products that can cause irritation or allergic reactions.

At Megan & Willow, we take your skin seriously because safety should never be optional.

How We Keep Our Skincare Safe

Every formula we create from our soaps to our sugar scrubs and facial creams is professionally assessed and approved under UK cosmetic law.

Our safety process includes:

Independent CPSR testing by qualified assessors
Accurate ingredient documentation and labelling
Batch records for traceability
Compliance with UK Product Notification Portal (SCPN) requirements

This means every product we sell is both legally compliant and skin-safe, giving you the confidence to care for your skin naturally and responsibly.

Because to us, handmade doesn’t mean guesswork it means

crafted with care and backed by science.

Choosing Safe Handmade Skincare

When you’re shopping for handmade soap or skincare online, always ask:

Has this product been safety assessed?

If the answer isn’t clear, it’s safer to skip it.

At Megan & Willow, the answer is always yes, every single product is CPSR certified, cruelty-free, and made in small batches with love and integrity.

Final Thoughts

Not all handmade skincare is created equal. Choosing CPSR-certified products means choosing quality, transparency, and peace of mind.

Your skin deserves products that are not only beautiful but tested, approved, and truly safe.

Discover our collection of safety-assessed soaps and skincare products in person at a local market or online via our website: https://www.meganandwillow.co.uk/welcome

Because your skin deserves nothing less than the safest care possible.