You love your skin and the planet, right? Then you probably want to use skincare products that are vegan, organic, sustainable, and cruelty-free. But how do you know if a product is really what it claims to be? You can’t just trust the fancy words on the front of the label. You have to dig deeper and look at the back of the label, where the ingredients and symbols are. That’s where the truth lies.
But don’t worry, we’re not going to leave you in the dark. We’re here to help you read skincare labels like a pro, so you can find the best products for your skin and the environment.
Secret #1: The first ingredient is the most important
Did you know that the first ingredient on the label is the one that makes up the most of the product? And the last one is the one that makes up the least? That’s right, the ingredients are listed in order of how much they weigh, from highest to lowest. This can help you figure out the quality and effectiveness of the product. For example, if water (aqua) is the first ingredient, it means the product is mostly water, which may not do much for your skin. But if a natural ingredient, like aloe vera or shea butter, is the first ingredient, it means the product is packed with that ingredient, which may have more benefits for your skin.
Secret #2: Not all ingredients are created equal
Ingredients can have different names, types, and functions. Some may be natural, synthetic, or derived from natural sources. Some may be good, bad, or neutral for your skin. Some may be vegan, organic, sustainable, or cruelty-free, while others may not. That’s why you need to know what the ingredients are and what they do. Here are some clues that can help you:
Ingredients that end in “-ose” (like glucose, fructose, sucrose) are sugars. They can help moisturize and soften your skin, but they can also feed bacteria and cause breakouts.
Ingredients that end in “-ol” (like glycerol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol) are alcohols. They can help dissolve and deliver other ingredients, but they can also dry out and irritate your skin.
Ingredients that end in “-yl” (like methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl) are preservatives. They can help prevent the growth of microbes and extend the shelf life of the product, but they can also cause allergic reactions and hormone disruption.
Ingredients that end in “-ate” (like sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate) are sulfates. They can help create foam and cleanse your skin, but they can also strip away your natural oils and damage your skin barrier.
Ingredients that end in “-one” (like dimethicone, cyclomethicone, phenyl trimethicone) are silicones. They can help smooth and fill in your skin, but they can also clog your pores and prevent your skin from breathing.
Of course, these are just some of the common suffixes that can help you identify the type and function of the ingredients. But not all ingredients with the same suffix are the same. Some may be more or less harmful or beneficial than others. That’s why you need to do your research and look for reliable sources of information, like scientific journals, dermatologists, or certified organizations.
Secret #3: Active ingredients are the ones that matter
Active ingredients are the ones that are responsible for the main benefit or function of the product, like anti-aging, anti-acne, or anti-inflammatory. They are usually listed separately from the other ingredients, either on the front or the back of the label, along with how much they make up of the product. The amount of the active ingredient is important because it determines how strong and effective the product is. For example, if a product says it has vitamin C as an active ingredient, but it only has 1% of it, it may not do much for your skin. But if it has 20% of it, it may be too strong and cause irritation or sensitivity. That’s why you need to check the amount of the active ingredient and consult with your dermatologist or a skincare expert before using products with high amounts of active ingredients.
Secret #4: Watch out for potential irritants and allergens
Some ingredients may cause irritation or allergic reactions for some people, especially those with sensitive or reactive skin. These ingredients may include fragrances, essential oils, dyes, sulfates, alcohols, preservatives, and more. If you know you’re allergic or sensitive to a certain ingredient, you should avoid products that have it. You can also do a patch test before using a new product, by applying a small amount of the product on your inner arm or behind your ear, and waiting for 24 hours to see if you have any bad reaction. If you see any redness, itching, burning, or swelling, you should stop using the product and get medical help if needed.
Secret #5: Choose ingredients for your skin type
Different skin types have different needs and preferences when it comes to skincare products. For example, if you have dry skin, you may want to look for products that have moisturizing and nourishing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, or oils. If you have oily skin, you may want to look for products that have mattifying and balancing ingredients, like salicylic acid, niacinamide, or clay. If you have combination skin, you may want to look for products that are suitable for both oily and dry areas, like gel-creams, lotions, or serums. If you have normal skin, you may want to look for products that maintain your skin’s health and hydration, like antioxidants, peptides, or vitamins. Of course, these are just general guidelines, and you may have to try and see what works best for your skin.
Don’t fall for misleading skincare claims
Many skincare products make claims that sound good and convincing, like “natural”, “organic”, “vegan”, “sustainable”, “cruelty-free”, “hypoallergenic”, “dermatologist-tested”, “non-comedogenic”, and more. But not all of these claims are true or accurate. Some of them are not regulated or verified by the FDA or other authorities, which means they may not mean what you think they mean. For example, a product that says it’s natural may still have synthetic ingredients, or a product that says it’s organic may not be certified by a reputable organization. That’s why you need to be careful and critical of these claims, and look for evidence or certification to back them up. For example, you can look for symbols or logos that show the product is certified by a third-party organization, like USDA Organic, Ecocert, Leaping Bunny, Vegan Society, or PETA. You can also check the website or social media of the brand or the organization to learn more about their standards and criteria.
Symbols and their meanings
Speaking of symbols and logos, there are some that you may see on skincare labels that have specific meanings and implications. Here are some of the most common ones and what they mean:
- PAO (Period After Opening): This symbol looks like an open jar with a number and the letter M, like 12M or 24M. It tells you how long the product can be used safely after opening it. For example, 12M means the product can be used for 12 months after opening it. After that, the product may lose its effectiveness or become contaminated.
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UVA (Ultraviolet A): This symbol looks like a circle with the letters UVA inside. It tells you that the product protects your skin from UVA rays, which are the rays that cause premature aging and skin cancer. The more stars or pluses next to the symbol, the more protection the product offers.
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Cruelty-free: This symbol looks like a rabbit or a leaping bunny. It tells you that the product and its ingredients have not been tested on animals, and that the brand does not sell its products in countries where animal testing is required by law.
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Vegan: This symbol looks like a V or a leaf. (link da imagem= https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9f/9d/4f/9f9d4f12cfada82ddbf01516cda9ecbb.png ) It tells you that the product and its ingredients do not have any animal-derived substances, like honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, or keratin.
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Recyclable: This symbol looks like a triangle made of three arrows. It tells you that the product or its packaging can be recycled, either partially or completely. However, this does not mean that the product or its packaging is actually recycled, or that it is accepted by your local recycling program. You should always check the label for more information on how to dispose of the product or its packaging properly.
Ready to try our amazing Amazonian Skinfood products?
We hope this article has helped you learn how to read skincare labels like a pro, and that you feel more confident and empowered to choose the best products for your skin and the environment. Remember, knowledge is power, and the more you know, the better decisions you can make. If you’re looking for a skincare brand that is vegan, organic, sustainable, and cruelty-free, look no further than Amazonian Skin Food- Our products are toxin and gluten-free, vegan, cruelty free, no synthetic fragrances or harsh chemicals, Ingredient transparency, no GMO's, no Sulfates, no Synthetic fragrances, no Parabens, no Phthalates, no Petroleum-based ingredients, and no Artificial colors.
You can purchase them here.