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The Ultimate Cheat Sheet on Skincare Product Labels
“l like my products like I like my people… non-toxic”
When reading skin care product labels these days it helps to be a chemistry major. However, not all of us are. So here are some useful tips to clue you in on what you are putting on your face.
First and foremost, pay more attention to the ingredient list on the back of your products than the claims written on the front. This will tell you what is actually in it.
Although most ingredients are listed in order of their concentration, manufacturing companies today are not required to list percentages. So, as a general guideline, pay attention to the top five ingredients to inform you of the product’s main functions.
Most active ingredients are listed separately — for example, sunscreens and acne products. But just to confuse the issue, not all active ingredients have to be near the top of the list and can be beneficial at lower levels. Certain botanicals, vitamins A, C and E are good examples of these ingredients.
Know that there is a difference between ‘fragrance-free’ and ‘unscented’ products. The first claim means that raw ingredients used had their odors removed before blending in a formulation and contain no fragrance at all. The second claim refers to a formulation where ‘masking’ or ‘neutralizing’…
