AB-728 • 2026

Skin care product sales: age verification.

Crime

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Lee
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on the penalties for non-compliance or enforcement mechanisms, leaving these aspects uncertain.

Age Verification for Anti-Aging Skin Care Products

This law makes it illegal for businesses to sell certain anti-aging skin care products with vitamin A or alpha hydroxy acid ingredients to people under 18 without verifying their age and identity.

What This Bill Does

Makes it unlawful for businesses to sell over-the-counter anti-aging skin care or cosmetic products containing vitamin A or alpha hydroxy acid to individuals under 18 years old without first verifying the purchaser’s age and identity.

Who It Names or Affects

People under 18 years old who want to buy certain anti-aging skin care or cosmetic products.
Businesses that sell over-the-counter anti-aging skin care or cosmetic products with vitamin A or alpha hydroxy acid ingredients.

Terms To Know

verifying age and identity: Checking a person's age and confirming their identity, which includes asking questions about their age and requesting documents that prove their age and identity.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the consequences for violating this rule.
It is unclear how strictly businesses will follow these new rules or how often they will be checked.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2025-05-14 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
2025-04-30 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 2.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-08 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.
2025-04-07 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.S & T.M. Read second time and amended.
2025-04-07 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on E.S & T.M. and APPR.
2025-02-19 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.
2025-02-18 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 728, as amended, Lee.
Skin care product sales: age verification.
Under existing law, it is unlawful for a person who is under 18 years of age to purchase etching cream or an aerosol container of paint that is capable of defacing property. Existing law further makes it unlawful for a person, firm, or corporation, except as specified, to furnish to a person who is under 18 years of age any etching cream or aerosol container of paint without first obtaining bona fide evidence of majority and identity. Existing law punishes a violation of these provisions as a misdemeanor.
This bill would make it unlawful for a person, firm, or corporation to sell to another person, who is in fact under 18 years of age, an over-the-counter
anti-aging
skin care product or
anti-aging
cosmetic product that lists as an ingredient vitamin A or an alpha hydroxy
acid, as specified,
acid
without first verifying the purchaser’s age and identity. The bill would define “verifying age and identity” to include, among other things, verbally asking the buyer’s age and asking for documents that are evidence of age and identity related to the age-based prohibitions for aerosol paint and etching cream.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF