By the Sea Soap Shoppe markets its products with bold health claims — promising relief from eczema, acne, and dermatitis, and touting antibacterial and healing properties. But how do these claims hold up against scientific evidence and Canadian law? We broke it down claim by claim.
Comparison of By the Sea Soap Shoppe Claims vs Scientific & Regulatory Evidence
| Claim Category | Exact Wording on Website | Scientific Support | Regulatory Status (Canada) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acne / Eczema / Dermatitis | “Helps with skin conditions such as eczema, acne and dermatitis” | No credible evidence that rinse-off soap can treat these conditions | Claims may classify the product as a drug; requires approval by Health Canada |
| Acne / Eczema / Dermatitis | “May help with skin conditions such as eczema, acne and dermatitis” | No credible evidence | Same as above |
| Anti-inflammatory | “Anti-inflammatory” (used for ingredients like castor oil or cocoa butter) | Limited lab-based evidence for isolated ingredients; not proven in rinse-off soaps | Allowed only if referring to ingredient properties, not final product claims |
| Antibacterial / Antimicrobial | “Anti-bacterial” | Lab studies show some essential oils may have antimicrobial properties, but rinse-off soaps are not clinically proven to kill bacteria on skin | If implying product kills bacteria, may be considered a drug claim |
| Antibacterial / Antimicrobial | “Disinfecting properties” | Not proven in practical soap use | Same as above |
| Antibacterial / Antimicrobial | “Helps to protect the outside layer of your skin from infection” | Not clinically supported | Drug claim if implying prevention/treatment |
| Healing / Therapeutic | “Healing soap” | General marketing term; no scientific validation for treating skin conditions | Allowed only as marketing description if clearly not a medical claim |
| Healing / Therapeutic | “Healing – heals chapped skin and relieves symptoms of skin ailments such as eczema and dermatitis” | No clinical support | Potential drug claim |
| Healing / Therapeutic | “Moisturizing and healing” | Soap may moisturize, but “healing” is not proven | “Moisturizing” is allowed; “healing” may imply drug claim |
| Customer Testimonial | “My eczema has almost completely cleared up…” | Anecdotal, not scientific | Testimonials alone don’t confer drug status, but regulatory caution is advised |
Many of the claims made by By the Sea Soap Shoppe cross the line from cosmetic marketing into drug territory under Health Canada’s guidelines. Products that claim to treat or prevent medical conditions require formal drug approval — approval these soap products do not have. Consumers deserve accurate information. If you’ve seen misleading health claims on a product, you can report them directly to Health Canada.
