Many people spend a considerable amount of money on skincare products. Their purchase is often led by great packaging, popular slogans, and convincing results promises.
It is important to understand labeling so that you can make informed decisions on what to buy, what will work best for you, and what will provide the best value for money based on your needs.
Not all skincare is created equal.
Every country has its own regulatory body that decides the labeling requirements for cosmetics, which each cosmetic company has to adhere to. In this article we provide you with some key indicators and tips so that combined with just a little bit of your own research, you can make informed choices about which skincare products to buy and not be swayed by what a skincare package does or doesn’t tell you.
The Skin Care Label Decoder: What Every Consumer Needs to Know
Principal Display Panel or PDP
To start with, on the front of the product or packaging you will find the statement of identity or product identity, commonly known as the Principal Display Panel or PDP, which is a brief description of the product and what it is designed to do. This may display skin type or concern recommendations.
Net Contents
The weight or volume of the product minus the packaging weight.
Commonly you will also see an “e” symbol next to the net weight.
The 'e' symbol means that the figure given for the amount (weight, volume, quantity) is not exact, but is an average.
Directions & Warnings
This part of the label tells you how to use the product to get the best results. You will also find any warnings of use and how to properly store the product to maximise skincare shelf life. It is particularly important to pay attention to this section to ensure you are getting the most out of your products.
Ingredients List
Labeling in Australia is governed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Ingredients should be listed using INCI names which are systematic names internationally recognized to identify cosmetic ingredients.
Ingredients are listed in descending order from greatest amount to least amount. The exception to this is ingredients amounting to a concentration of less than 1%, which can be listed in any order.
Potential allergens present from natural oils and fragrances are listed at the end of an INCI list and are usually marked with an asterisk or listed in italic font.
When it comes to key and active ingredients promoted in the brand name or description it is important to check where the key or active ingredient sits within the list to determine how much of an effect it will have on the claimed results
Reminder:
Always patch test before using any new products. Even if you don't have sensitive skin, or even if you have used a particular brand before, certain formulations or ingredients (natural or otherwise), can irritate your skin.
Tips:
- When water is the first ingredient, you can assume it comprises around 60-90% of the whole product. This is something to keep in mind when purchasing expensive products.
- The amount of a product matters: This can get quiet confusing for example; Just because an ingredient is present in lower amounts, doesn't necessarily mean that it is not effective and on the other hand just some ingredients only become harmful or toxic if they exceed a certain concentration.
Benzyl Alcohol is an example of where if used at a low concentration it is safe to use daily. At a low concentration, it is a key ingredient to preserve, stabilise, and dissolve ingredients. As long as you don't have an allergy to benzyl alcohol expert dermatologists explain it's totally fine to use in your regular skincare routine.
- All products found on True Woo are free of the Naughty Forty’s.
Location of Manufacturing
This will show you the address of the location where the product was manufactured. This is a regulated requirement so consumers are able to contact the company if need be.
PAO Symbol
This is the Period After Opening Indicator. An open jar symbol with a number inside indicates the number of months that the product will be safe to use after its package has been opened for the first time.
Be mindful of the terms “clean” and “natural” and “non-toxic”
With so many labels out there, it’s difficult to keep track of which ones are really backed by an authentic certification process. Certifications claims through a third-party organisation will display an official logo.
Healthy Skincare Starts Within
Have you been seeking primarily external solutions for skin issues? Trying skincare product after product with no results?
Sometimes it's helpful to go on a skin cleanse, get back to basics, and reassess how diet impacts the health of our skin.
We suggest booking a session to rebalance your gut with Holistic Clinical Nutritionist, Nadi Gn. You can learn about what you eat, the connection to your gut and learn how to optimise your diet for clear, glowing, healthy skin and learn to make empowered choices about natural skincare alternatives.
