Medical-grade term, does it have legal meaning?

The phrase has no legal definition. A board-certified dermatologist quoted by Yahoo News says "Medical-grade is not a regulated term, so there are no FDA rules or industry standards determining what products fall into this category."

For shoppers in St. Johns, Florida, that means the phrase is not a regulated status.

What the quote tells you

The same quote includes a blunt summary of the two categories at play: "You have drugs and cosmetics; no in between." By that account, the words medical-grade do not add a third category.

Why the smallest sign is the wording

The earliest warning here is how freely the phrase travels. Yahoo News also reports a tweet that reads, "Any brand can call themselves medical grade today and nothing would happen."

If any brand can use the words, the words on their own say little about what a product is. Ask what the product is meant to do.

Label wording in a wider routine

Label wording is only one piece of a routine. Cleveland Clinic offers dermatologist-approved tips for healthier skin, and the AAD has a page of skin care secrets. Houston Methodist publishes a skin care routine for your 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. The Skin Cancer Foundation keeps a page on sunscreen.

Claims that lean on the phrase

Watch for claims that lean on the phrase instead of on a stated purpose. When a product page or a sales conversation uses medical-grade as its main argument, ask what the product is meant to do and how that is supported.