What are USP Ingredients and Why Do We Use Them?
First off, what does USP mean?
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a scientific nonprofit organization that sets standards for the identity, strength, quality, and purity of medicines, food ingredients, and dietary supplements manufactured, distributed and consumed worldwide.
It was founded in 1820 and merged with the National Formulary and Drug Standards Laboratory (NF) in 1975.
And why does it matter?
USP-designated ingredients meet or exceed standards of purity set by the United States Pharmacopeia making them the highest quality grade.
Only prescription drugs are required to meet USP standards. However, all active ingredients in Vivant products (and many of the inactive ingredients as well) are USP grade.
Why do we use USP ingredients?
Because quality matters. Impurities in ingredients can render formulations less effective and less consistent. They can also cause irritation or allergic reactions.
Our goal is to create highly effective formulas while eliminating impurities and inconsistencies, reduce irritants, and provide sustainability.
Is there a difference between USP and pharmaceutical grade?
Pharmaceutical grade products must use USP grade ingredients, but containing USP ingredients does not make a product pharmaceutical grade. Pharmaceutical grade products are available only through prescription and contain active ingredients that are classified by the FDA as drugs.
Why don’t all skin care manufacturers use USP ingredients?
Quality is expensive. Most manufacturers opt for cheaper alternatives. Or, they may use USP ingredients in smaller percentages, which makes the product less potent.
We’re also kind of picky about our manufacturing process.
All of our products are manufactured in small batch production in the United States under clinical conditions by people earning a fair wage. We’ve been doing it this way for over forty years. And we’re not planning to change.
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Comments
I know I always say the same after reading your blog, but I just can´t stop myself from thinking WOW! I just really appreciate all the information/education you share with your readers. I am big on knowledge, specially because I completely agree on the fact that knowledge really is power! So understanding what USP ingredients are is a real game changer. It helps me understand how many companies manipulate the data when it comes to ingredients, specially when you know how to read labels and you can verify (by reading the label) the extra small percentage of that particular ingredient in the product. I always thought it was impossible to get the results some companies claim when the “special ingredient” is listed almost at the end of the ingredients in the label. Thank you Vivant for helping me expand my mind and know the market.