Miss Camaraderie’s Retinoic Acid Beauty Bar™ is considered a cosmetic item and as such is not under the scope of the FDA. As quoted from the FDA website: “FDA does not approve cosmetics. Examples of cosmetics are perfumes, makeup, moisturizers, shampoos, hair dyes, face and body cleansers, and shaving preparations. Cosmetic products and ingredients, and their labeling, do not require FDA approval before they go on the market. There’s one exception: color additives (other than coal-tar hair dyes). Cosmetics must be safe for their intended use and properly labeled.” That said, the actives are common and safe for use when used properly. Retinoic Acid (0.05% in the Miss Camaraderie soap) is a form of vitamin A and has the function of chemically exfoliating the skin. It is a very low concentration and should be effective at treating mild to moderate skin issues related to the retention of dead skin cells. if you have a condition such as eczema or psoriasis it is not recommended to use any products containing retinoids.