Compliance Challenges in Advertising: Recent Findings on Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Claims

In a recent series of inspections conducted by REGAL CORE Inc., notable violations of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and the Prize Competition Law have come to light. These specific advertisements violate legal standards set forth to protect consumers, revealing significant concerns regarding compliance in the advertising industry.

Established in Tokyo's Shibuya area, REGAL CORE focuses on inspections to ensure advertisements conform to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and Prize Competition Law. Over the past two years, the company has performed cumulative inspections totaling 25 rounds by July 2025. During these checks, several businesses were found to have committed violations, leading to administrative penalties from public institutions, such as business suspension orders under the Specified Commercial Transactions Law.

Recent Case Highlight: VIRTH and B.D SHOT100 MOISTURE SERUM

A recent case involved the cosmetic product B.D SHOT100 MOISTURE SERUM from the company VIRTH. The claims made regarding the product suggested that applying it for just seven days could increase skin moisture levels by 2.72 times and skin elasticity by approximately 1.29 times. Furthermore, the advertisement implied that it could completely eliminate wrinkles and sagging around the eyes almost instantly after three seconds of application. These assertions, deemed misleading, caught the attention of the consumer protection authorities.

Upon review, the consumer agency requested VIRTH to provide credible evidence supporting these claims. Unfortunately, the documentation submitted by the company did not substantiate the assertions made in the advertisements. As a consequence, from June 27, 2025, through December 26, 2025, VIRTH received a suspension order, prohibiting it from:
1. Advertising the sale conditions related to the product.
2. Accepting sales contract applications for the product online.
3. Finalizing sales contracts regarding the product online.

(Sourced from the Consumer Affairs Agency: Official Report)

Linking Findings to REGAL CORE Research

In light of our previous findings, REGAL CORE had previously issued warnings citing potential violations regarding similar misleading promotional expressions for both the B.D SHOT100 MOISTURE SERUM and other cosmetics. This recent administrative action complements our earlier observations and underscores the risks we had notified regarding misleading claims eventually leading to regulatory scrutiny.

The impact of these findings reiterates the critical need for businesses to align their marketing strategies with advertising laws to avoid future penalties. These issues gravely affect stakeholders across the cosmetics industry, highlighting the incentives for compliance as an emerging priority.

Looking Forward: REGAL CORE's Commitment to Advertising Integrity

For over two years, our regular inspections of web media have helped identify potentially misleading advertising. We have worked collaboratively with numerous companies to rectify violations and discontinue problematic advertising practices. Although gradual improvements are being noted as businesses heed our warnings, consumers are increasingly vigilant in evaluating the legitimacy of advertising content.

Notably, the recent move to impose a suspension order under the Specified Commercial Transactions Law, rather than solely relying on the Prize Competition Law, suggests that regulatory penalties are becoming stricter. As part of our ongoing efforts, REGAL CORE plans to broaden the scope of our oversight, extending beyond traditional web media to encompass prominent foreign platforms that have yet to be scrutinized.

Moreover, advertisements displaying questionable claims outside web media, especially on platforms like social media, are starting to surface more frequently. As a response, we intend to gradually expand our research to ensure these channels maintain compliance with advertising standards while addressing the challenges that emerge in the digital sphere.

Conclusion

The challenges faced by companies like VIRTH highlight the critical importance of following regulatory guidelines when making advertising claims. REGAL CORE remains committed to advocating for precise ad expressions, fostering an environment that prioritizes transparency and accountability in the industry. By raising awareness and providing insights through our research, we aim to lead the charge toward a more compliant and responsible advertising landscape.

Company Overview
Name: REGAL CORE Inc.
Representative: Hayato Tanoue
Location: 3-13-11 Higashi, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Established: 2021
Business Focus: Legal Check Services
Capital: 38.49 million yen
Website: REGAL CORE