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Masks

Four masks shown for comparison

Which is the best mask to prevent COVID-19 and how do cloth, disposable, N95, and KN95 masks compare? How can I stop glasses from fogging?

Masks

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CL Answer

I recently bought a CoQ10 supplement on Amazon. The manufacture date was hidden under a sticker, but was 13 months ago. No "Best By" date is listed. Is this product still good to use?

Find out how long your CoQ10 supplement should last, if your CoQ10 is expired, and how long it is good to use. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Is My CoQ10 Expired? -- CoQ10 capsules in hand

CL Answer

Is it okay to crush or break vitamin pills to lower the dose or mix into food?

Learn about the safety of crushing vitamin pills, tablets, capsules or enteric-coated tablets and ingesting the powder with food, as opposed to taking a whole pill.

Is it okay to crush or cut supplement pills? -- Large, broken vitamin pill

CL Answer

I thought the B vitamins were all water soluble and did not build up in the body, so you would not build up toxic levels. Am I wrong?

Learn more about water-soluble B vitamins including niacin, B6, B12 and folic acid, and why taking too much of these vitamins can be toxic. See the symptoms of overdose and toxicity from B vitamins. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

B Vitamins

Recalls & Warnings

May 08, 2024

Razer, Inc. to Pay Over $1.1 Million Settlement for Zephyr Face Mask ”N-95” Claims

On April 29, 2024, the FTC announced it will be returning over $1.1 million to consumers who purchased Zephyr face masks after the company promoted its Zephyr face masks as N95-grade despite never submitting for testing to the FDA for approval of such claim.

CL Answer

Does red and near infrared light therapy reduce pain, improve skin or cognition, or have other benefits? Is it safe?

Red light and near infrared light therapy devices are promoted for numerous conditions, including acne, fibromyalgia, pain, cognitive function and other uses. Find out if these devices work and if they are safe.

Woman using a red light device on her lower leg

CL Answer

Which supplements can help treat anemia? Do any supplements cause a low red blood cell count?

Find out which vitamin and nutrient supplements can help prevent and treat anemia in people who are nutrient deficient and learn which supplements may cause low blood cell counts, especially when used in excess.

Woman holding various vitamins and supplements in her hands

CL Answer

Can prenatal vitamins have too much folic acid? Mine has 800 mcg, but isn't that more than what's recommended? Is this dangerous to me or my baby?

Is it possible for prenatal vitamins to have too much folic acid? Find out the correct dosage so that it is not dangerous to babies.

Too Much Folic Acid in Prenatal Vitamins? -- Pregnant woman taking supplements

CL Answer

Do any supplements help prevent or reduce eye floaters?

Find out eye floaters (vitreous floaters) be treated with supplements like vitamin C, lutein, ginkgo, milk thistle, collagen or hyaluronic acid, or with products such as VitreousHealth.

How to Reduce Eye Floaters With Vitamins & Supplements -- Close-up of an eye

Product Review

Potassium Iodide (KI) and Iodate (KIO3) Radioprotective Pills Review

Learn How to Choose the Best Radioprotective Iodine Pill and Use It Properly

CL Answer

Are Pyruvate Supplements Helpful and Safe?

Pyruvate supplements have been promoted for weight loss, boosting athletic performance, and lowering cholesterol. Find out if they work, if they're safe, and how to choose a pyruvate supplement.

Pyruvate powder and capsules

News Release

April 22, 2004

ConsumerLab.com shares insights from 2 years of testing supplements for athletic banned substances — Athletes and manufacturers urged to learn how to avoid problems

WHITE PLAINS, NY — April 22, 2004 — Two years after initiating the first program to test dietary supplements for substances banned from athletic competition, ConsumerLab.com today released a short advisory summarizing problems uncovered to-date from its testing.

CL Answer

Do any supplements or lifestyle changes reduce the symptoms of tinnitus? Is it true that some supplements can cause tinnitus?

Learn which supplements can ease tinnitus, including melatonin and pine bark extract. Understand which may actually cause tinnitus.

Word blocks spelling out “tinnitus”

CL Answer

5 Tips for Finding a Soap or Body Wash That Won't Irritate Skin

Get 5 tips for finding soap or body wash that won't cause skin irritation. See which soaps we rate best, ingredients to avoid, and phrases on labels that can mislead.

Different bars of soap on a marble countertop

News Release

January 09, 2004

USANA products pass ConsumerLab.com screening for substances banned from Olympics

WHITE PLAINS, NY — January 9, 2004 — ConsumerLab.com announced today that six additional products have passed its Athletic Banned Substances Screening Program. ConsumerLab.com tested the products at the request of USANA, a supplement manufacturer. ConsumerLab.

CL Answer

Do Any Supplements Improve Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) or Make It Worse?

Find out if any supplements, topical formulations (patches, rinses, lozenges, toothpastes, sprays, gels or gums), or lifestyle modifications reduce dry mouths symptoms.

Older man drinking water for dry mouth

News Release

August 20, 2002

ConsumerLab.com announces screening of supplements for banned substances for the United States Olympic Committee — First products to pass now listed on ConsumerLab.com web site

WHITE PLAINS, NY — August 20, 2002 — The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and ConsumerLab.com (CL) announced today that nine products have passed ConsumerLab.com's recently launched Athletic Banned Substances Screening Program. ConsumerLab.

News Release

February 08, 2002

Athletic Banned Substances Screening and Certification Program announced by ConsumerLab.com — Tester of supplements to screen for substances banned in Olympics

WHITE PLAINS, NY — February 8, 2002 — ConsumerLab.

CL Answer

Which air purifiers are best for reducing microbial and smoke particles from room air?

Find out if portable air cleaners can remove the virus that causes COVID-19 infection from the air and learn which type air cleaners work best.

HEPA air purifier on bedroom floor

CL Answer

Is it possible to take too much vitamin C?

Find out the daily value of vitamin C, along with possible side effects of excessive vitamin C intake. ConsumerLab explores the topic of proper vitamin C supplement usage, and why taking too much can be harmful.

Bottles of vitamin C pills

Recalls & Warnings

May 02, 2020

Hopewell Essential Oils Warned for Coronavirus Claims

On April 27, 2020, the FDA issued a warning letter to Hopewell Essential Oils for selling its essential oils with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).

CL Answer

Can supplements, natural eye drops, or lifestyle modifications improve symptoms of dry eye?

Can supplements such as fish oil, flaxseed oil or curcumin (from turmeric) help treat dry eyes? Find out, including formulas and doses that have shown benefit. Also, learn if drinking more water or using eye drops containing castor oil, N-acetylcarnosine or aloe can help with dry eye.

Older man with dry eye rubbing his eyes while holding his glasses

Recalls & Warnings

April 23, 2021

FDA Warns 5 Sellers of Unapproved COVID-19 Tests

Between March 18 and April 6, 2021, the FDA issued warning letters to five companies for selling unapproved, adulterated, and misbranded tests for coronavirus (COVID-19).

Recalls & Warnings

February 01, 2022

Complaint Submitted to FTC for doTerra Essential Oil COVID Claims

On January 28, 2022, the website truthinadvertising.org submitted a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against doTerra International, LLC. following a series of Zoom calls from the company titled "Protocols for the Current Climate.

Recalls & Warnings

June 26, 2006

FDA Warns Candy Maker Making Heart Health Claims

On May 31, 2006, the U.S.

Recalls & Warnings

July 31, 2020

FTC Sues Golden Sunrise for Marketing Deceptive $23,000 Coronavirus Cure

On July 31, 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged Golden Sunrise Nutraceutical, Inc., a California-based company, with deceptively advertising a $23,000 treatment plan as a scientifically proven way to treat COVID-19.

Recalls & Warnings

July 10, 2020

FTC Charges Seller With Falsely Promising Consumers Next Day Shipping of Face Masks and Other PPE

On July 8, 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged the online marketer SuperGoodDeals.com, Inc. and its owner, Kevin J. Lipsitz, with falsely promising consumers next-day shipping of facemasks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to use during the coronavirus pandemic.