Can I say it?
Can I say “doctor formulated” in a skincare ad?
It depends. 2 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-TES-009. Its reason: 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 the rule cites: 16 CFR 255.3 - expert endorsements; 16 CFR 255.5 - disclosure of material connections; 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.
Doctor formulated and tested.
- WarningCG-TES-009Patient quotes and reviews. Matched: “Doctor formulated”
- Warning
CG-EFF-005Efficacy and proof. Matched: “Doctor formulated”
Our doctor formulated serum is lab tested.
- WarningCG-TES-009Patient quotes and reviews. Matched: “doctor formulated”
- Warning
CG-EFF-005Efficacy and proof. Matched: “doctor formulated”
Doctor formulated to fix sun damage.
- WarningCG-TES-009Patient quotes and reviews. Matched: “Doctor formulated”
- Warning
CG-EFF-005Efficacy and proof. Matched: “Doctor formulated”
What to say instead
This version came back with no rule fired:
Our serum was developed with input from our medical director. Read the full ingredient list before you buy.
What the rules themselves suggest:
- CG-TES-009 Name the expert and credential, say what they examined and disclose any connection, or remove the claim.
- CG-EFF-005 Say who formulated it by name and credential, or drop the phrase.
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-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-EFF-005 · Warns
Clinical or doctor-formulated language implies testing or endorsement that you must be able to show.
Source: FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance; FTC Act section 5
Safer wording: Say who formulated it by name and credential, or drop the phrase.
See source text · Needs counsel review
Background: Substantiation in the glossary.
Questions
Which rule covers formulation claims?
Rule CG-TES-009. It cites 16 CFR 255.3, 16 CFR 255.5. The rule's reason: 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.
What should I write instead?
The rule's own suggestion for rule CG-TES-009: Name the expert and credential, say what they examined and disclose any 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.