Why claims matter
While searching for products online, you will find many that say they relieve eczema, heal wounds, reduce inflammation or clear rashes. You might choose one because the claim matches your need. If you bought a product because of those promises and they turned out not to be what you expected, wouldn’t you be disappointed?
In New Zealand, that kind of wording does more than sound reassuring. It can affect the product’s regulatory classification and whether it is considered to have a therapeutic purpose.
Under New Zealand’s medicines legislation and cosmetic regulations, a product that is presented as preventing, treating, curing or alleviating a disease, ailment or injury may have a therapeutic purpose and be subject to different regulatory requirements. For products that are otherwise cosmetics, therapeutic style claims are one of the factors that can give a product a therapeutic purpose and affect how it is categorised.
We present Eckco products as cosmetics: plant‑based oils, balms and bath soaks for use on the skin. We do not present them as medicines or treatments for medical conditions.
What that means for Eckco
That is why you will not see us say our products reduce inflammation, treat eczema, clear rashes or heal wounds. Those are examples of therapeutic claims. Making those claims could give the product a therapeutic purpose and affect how it is categorised. It would also move our marketing away from describing the product itself and towards making claims about medical effects.
We also do not want to imply that an oil or balm can replace medical advice or prescribed treatment for skin conditions. If you are dealing with persistent or severe skin issues, the right path is to speak with a health professional, not to rely on marketing copy.
How we describe our products
Instead of treatment claims, we focus on describing the product itself:
- what it is (balm, body oil, face oil, bath soak)
- the full ingredient list
- whether it contains added fragrance, essential oils or vanilla
- how it feels and how to use it
- how it fits into a minimal skincare routine
We talk about the skin in general terms: dry, tight, rough, flaky, irritated, sensitive, or looking dull. We describe how a product feels and the kind of routine it suits. We do not present our products as treatments for named medical conditions.
You get clear information about what you are buying, without wording that could give the product a therapeutic purpose or affect how it is categorised.
Why this matters to you
When a brand makes strong treatment claims, it can be hard to know what is marketing and what is supported by evidence. If a product does not deliver on a big claim, you are left out of pocket and possibly still dealing with the original issue.
We would rather be clear about how we present our products and what they are not. We market them as cosmetics, not as medicines or treatments for medical conditions.
If you need something for a specific skin condition, talk to a pharmacist or doctor. If you want minimal, transparent skincare for your daily routine, that is what Eckco is for.
For background on how claims affect product presentation in New Zealand, see Medsafe’s guidance on categorisation of products and the Cosmetic Products Group Standard administered by the EPA.