Understanding cosmetics & skincare label - [Ultimate guide]

To say that certain cosmetic product labels are unclear would be an exaggeration.  But who we are kidding here? There are a lot of things to go on the packaging indicating different things.  You have to sift through a sea of words, images, and marketing language. The ingredients are the next item. We are aware of their significance, but how can we determine the nature, function, and safety of each ingredient? It's difficult, but knowledge is key, especially when it comes to spending your hard-earned money on items designed to keep your skin healthy and looking its best.

Things to look at on the label of skincare or cosmetic product

Even while cosmetic labels may have distinctive looks, upon closer scrutiny, they all carry the same information. A lot of this information is necessary by law. You may frequently find the following data:

Order & list of ingredients There are two ways to list ingredients on a cosmetics label: alphabetically or in decreasing order of concentration, with the latter being the more typical format. The concentration of an item increases as it moves up the ingredient list on a cosmetic label, which lists constituents by concentration. You may have noticed that the first component listed on cosmetic labels is frequently water, indicating that water constitutes the majority of the recipe. It's crucial to pay attention to the label's ingredient listing order. Except for substances present at a concentration of less than 1%, which can be stated in any order, ingredients are listed in descending order from highest to lowest amount contained in the product. It may not be necessary for all kinds of skincare or cosmetics products, but it does have a part to play in the list. 

Don't be fooled by the number of ingredients  Cosmetics and personal care products with a long list of ingredients should catch your attention since the likelihood that a product or one of its contents has been tested on animals increases with the number of ingredients. Because their products are less processed and take a more holistic approach, organic cosmetics firms usually have a short list of ingredients. Also, shouldn't presume you are aware of how effective each ingredient is. Only 0.01% of the ingredient may be ineffective, according to some estimates. An ingredient is not ineffective just because it appears in the middle or at the end of an ingredients list. This is so that they can work at lower concentrations. Niacinamide, for instance, is effective at 5% concentrations; salicylic acid and retinol are equally beneficial at concentrations as low as 2%.

Labels of "Manufactured for and distributed by" vs "manufactured by"  Even though the terms "manufactured" and "distributed" appear to be synonymous, they are not. Cosmetics custom manufacturers are responsible for appropriate labeling and whether the product lives up to its claims; distributors on the other hand are not liable for any product label claims. 

Where is it made  On the information panel, you will find the name and place of business of the distributor, packer, or manufacturer of your products. Include the name of your firm and its address if you produce and package your own cosmetics. You must include the name and address of any independent or custom manufacturers, packers, or distributors you work with. In either case, giving them extra details like a phone number, email address, or another way to reach you may be helpful if they have inquiries regarding the goods.

Follow the actual directions and storage condition You probably have read a lot of labels and instructions on the skincare product package. Usually, it comes under the heading of “directions” or “instructions”. This information is to help keep the products in a safe place. Either you need to seal it tightly, keep it away from direct sunlight, have to store it in the refrigerator, or anything else. So, follow all the instructions carefully. 

Batch Number Located on the bottle, jar, or package. The product's traceability is crucial, and batch numbers can be useful if a specific batch turns out to have issues once it is sold. By asking the manufacturer and supplying the batch number, a customer can also learn when a product was created.

Official symbols

Expiration date:  This can take the form of an hourglass with a shelf life of months, a "best before" date, or a "period after opening" symbol.

Recyclable: The packaging is recyclable if it has an arrow in a green or black circle.

Cruelty-Free:  To ensure a product hasn't been subjected to animal testing, look for the pink bunny ears of PETA or the leaping bunny of Cruelty-Free International.

Vegan: When a product bears the official Vegan.org seal, it is completely vegan.

Approved by Fair-trade fair trade:  A sign attesting to the protection of people and the environment throughout production and trade.

FAQs

What is the 1% line in skincare?

If you're unfamiliar, the 1% line designates the area of the LOI where the component concentration is less than 1%. Cosmetic labeling regulations stipulate that anything in the formula that is utilized in a concentration greater than 1% must be listed in the formula's order of concentration.

How the product is tested?

On a cosmetics label, the terms "cruelty-free" or "not tested on animals" apply to the product itself, not necessarily the ingredients. This is where the difference lies because you might buy a product that you think is cruelty-free even though its components have undergone animal testing.

How are cosmetics legally defined in the United States?

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) are the two most significant cosmetic regulations in the US. With the exception of color additives, these rules do not need FDA premarket approval for cosmetic items or chemicals.

Bottom line

So, while you worry about the private label and information on the product pack, there is never enough learning on how to read a supplement label or cosmetic label. However, having a guide like this with you can surely help you with a lot of the things you need to know about your skincare product. EXPLORE OUR PRODUCTS REQUEST A QUOTE SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENNT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn