Can I say it?
Can I say “doctor approved” in a skincare ad?
It depends. 4 rules fired across 3 sample sentences, and the checker's own text explains why.
The short answer
It depends. The checker warns on this wording but does not block it. The first rule it hits is CG-REG-003. Its reason: Expert endorsement claims must be true, current and typical of the experts who actually reviewed it.
Source the rule cites: FTC Endorsement Guides, 16 CFR Part 255; FTC Act section 5
Checked as an ad promoting a supplement or wellness product.
A clear result is not an all-clear. The checker flags wording for review and does not know your evidence, your state or your platform's review. Read the limitations.
Sample wording, run through the checker
These are sentences written to contain the phrase, not real claims. Each ran through the real engine and the shipped rule-set when this site was built.
Lab tested and doctor approved.
- WarningCG-REG-003Regulatory status. Matched: “doctor approved”
- WarningCG-TRD-004Patient quotes and reviews. Matched: “doctor approved”
Our doctor approved formula calms eczema.
- WarningCG-REG-003Regulatory status. Matched: “doctor approved”
- WarningCG-TES-008Patient quotes and reviews. Matched: “Our doctor approved”
- WarningCG-TRD-004Patient quotes and reviews. Matched: “doctor approved”
Doctor approved by dermatologists.
- WarningCG-REG-003Regulatory status. Matched: “Doctor approved”
- WarningCG-TES-009Patient quotes and reviews. Matched: “approved by dermatologists”
- WarningCG-TRD-004Patient quotes and reviews. Matched: “Doctor approved”
What to say instead
This version came back with no rule fired:
Our dermatologist advisor reviewed this formula and is paid by us. See the label for the full ingredient list.
What the rules themselves suggest:
- CG-REG-003 Name the endorser, their credential and any payment or connection, or remove the claim.
- CG-TES-008 Name the expert, state the credential and say what they examined. Disclose any payment or connection, or remove the expert reference.
- CG-TES-009 Name the expert and credential, say what they examined and disclose any connection, or remove the claim.
The rules behind this answer
Reason, source and citation for each rule that fired, in the checker's own words. Blocking rules come first.
CG-REG-003 · Warns · Citation checked against stored text
Expert endorsement claims must be true, current and typical of the experts who actually reviewed it.
Source: FTC Endorsement Guides, 16 CFR Part 255; FTC Act section 5
Safer wording: Name the endorser, their credential and any payment or connection, or remove the claim.
16 CFR Part 255 · Needs counsel review
CG-TES-008 · Warns · Citation checked against stored text
A line where a doctor or other specialist is said to recommend the product is an expert endorsement. The expert must really hold the expertise, have examined or tested the product, and any payment or connection must be disclosed.
Source: 16 CFR 255.3 - expert endorsements; 16 CFR 255.5 - disclosure of material connections; FTC Act section 5
Safer wording: Name the expert, state the credential and say what they examined. Disclose any payment or connection, or remove the expert reference.
16 CFR 255.3, 16 CFR 255.5 · Needs counsel review
CG-TES-009 · Warns · Citation checked against stored text
Saying doctors or other experts recommend, approve or formulated a product is an expert endorsement claim. It must be true, current and typical of the experts who actually reviewed it, and any payment must be disclosed.
Source: 16 CFR 255.3 - expert endorsements; 16 CFR 255.5 - disclosure of material connections; FTC Act section 5
Safer wording: Name the expert and credential, say what they examined and disclose any connection, or remove the claim.
16 CFR 255.3, 16 CFR 255.5 · Needs counsel review
CG-TRD-004 · Warns · Citation checked against stored text
Testimonials that claim cancer, tumor or disease reversal, that cite undisclosed paid or free-service endorsements, or that invoke doctor endorsement without basis are deceptive endorsements.
Source: FTC Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials, 16 CFR Part 255; FTC Rule on Consumer Reviews and Testimonials, 16 CFR Part 465; FTC Act section 5
Safer wording: Do not publish testimonials claiming disease reversal, disclose any payment or free service clearly, and drop unsupported doctor-endorsement claims.
16 CFR Part 255, 16 CFR Part 465 · Needs counsel review
Background: Endorsement disclosure in the glossary.
Questions
Which rule covers doctor approval claims?
Rule CG-REG-003. It cites 16 CFR Part 255. The rule's reason: Expert endorsement claims must be true, current and typical of the experts who actually reviewed it.
What should I write instead?
The rule's own suggestion for rule CG-REG-003: Name the endorser, their credential and any payment or connection, or remove the claim.
If the checker shows nothing, can I publish?
No. A clean result means none of the checker's rules matched. It does not weigh your evidence, your state or your platform's review, and it is not legal advice. Read the limitations page for what it misses.
Next step
Check your own wording
Paste your copy into the free checker. Every flag names its rule and its source.