For skincare founders, cosmetic brands, beauty studios, supplement-adjacent wellness brands, and online beauty retailers.
Trademark Classes for Cosmetics, Skincare, and Beauty Brands
Beauty brands often sit across products and services. A moisturizer, a medicated acne treatment, a supplement, a beauty studio, and an online store can all fall into different classes.
The biggest distinction is whether the product is non-medicated, medicated, ingestible, or a service. Getting that distinction right makes the class list cleaner and easier to defend.
Primary classes
Classes to check first
These classes are common starting points for this business model. Use them as a structured review list, not as automatic filing instructions.
Class 3: Cosmetics and cleaning
Class 3 covers non-medicated cosmetics, skincare, fragrances, soaps, toiletries, and cleaning preparations.
Example wording
Cosmetics; non-medicated skincare preparations; facial cleansers; body lotions; perfumes.
Watch out: Products with medical, therapeutic, or pharmaceutical claims may point to Class 5.
Class 44: Medical and beauty
Class 44 covers beauty care, spa, hygiene, medical, dental, and wellness treatment services.
Example wording
Beauty salon services; skin care salon services; cosmetic facial treatment services.
Watch out: Class 44 protects services, not bottled cosmetics sold under the mark.
Adjacent classes
Classes that often appear next to the core filing
Adjacent classes matter when the brand stretches across products, services, retail, education, software, or accessories.
Class 5: Pharmaceuticals
Class 5 can apply to medicated skincare, pharmaceutical preparations, dietary supplements, vitamins, and disinfectants.
Example wording
Dietary supplements; medicated skincare preparations; vitamin preparations.
Class 35: Business and retail
Class 35 can apply to online retail, retail store services, subscription retail, or beauty product marketplace services.
Example wording
Online retail store services featuring cosmetics, skincare products, and beauty accessories.
Class 21: Household goods
Class 21 can apply to cosmetic brushes, applicators, sponges, containers, and household beauty tools.
Example wording
Cosmetic brushes; makeup sponges; cosmetic applicators; toiletry cases sold empty.
Real-world patterns
Example class combinations
The same industry can produce different class combinations depending on what customers actually buy.
Clean skincare product line
Class 3 and often Class 35
Non-medicated skincare products are Class 3. Online retail can add Class 35.
Med spa with branded treatments
Class 44, sometimes Class 3 and Class 5
Beauty and skin treatment services are Class 44. Branded products sold separately can add goods classes.
Beauty supplement brand
Class 5 and Class 35
Dietary supplements are usually Class 5. Online retail or subscription sales can add Class 35.
Filing mistakes
Common mistakes to avoid
Want a class list for your exact business?
Use the class finder to map your products, services, retail channels, and planned launches.