How to read the label of a skincare product?

Cosmetic manufacturers are subject to regulatory requirements regarding labeling. The information that must appear on the label should be written in easily visible and readable characters, and in an indelible manner. Specifically, it must include:

• The name and address of a contact within the European Union: it allows the consumer to report any adverse effect related to the product;

• The country of manufacture, if the product is made outside of the European Union;

• The function of the product ;

• The usage precautions ;

• The nominal content (volume or mass);

• The minimum durability date (the date before which it is preferable to use the product and indicated before the mention "Use before..." or after an hourglass) or period of use after opening (indicated with the symbol of an open jar with a number of months);

• The list of ingredients.

All cosmetic products are required to display their composition on their packaging. The labeling of beauty care products is strictly regulated by the INCI list (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) or Nomenclature Internationale des Ingrédients Cosmétiques in French. This regulation governs not only the products distributed in Europe and the United States, but also in other countries (such as Japan or Canada). In accordance with the INCI regulation, brands are obliged to display a complete list of the ingredients used, established in the decreasing order based on their quantity. Thus, the first ingredient named makes up the majority of the care product while the last ingredients are present only in minute quantities. Furthermore, ingredients are always named in Latin for natural products (like water) or those derived from plants or in English for chemical substances.

As a precaution, it is advisable to avoid skincare products containing potentially toxic, non-ecological, or carcinogenic substances. These include, but are not limited to:

• Parabens are chemical preservatives. However, many scientists assert that they could be highly allergenic and responsible for causing cancer. They can be identified by looking for words ending in "-zoate" such as parahydroxybenzoate, or words containing "paraben" like butylparaben, propylparaben, sodium butylparaben, sodium propylparaben, potassium butylparaben, and potassium propylparaben.

• Regarding silicones they pose no health risks, but they are indeed significant pollutants to the environment and also tend to clog pores. They can be identified by words ending in "-cone", "-one", or "-xane".

• Regarding PEG or PPG, used as thickeners, emulsifiers, or humectants, which are substances derived from petrochemicals and therefore pollutants.

• Paraffins and mineral oils , derived from petrochemicals, are suspected of clogging the skin's pores and being comedogenic.

• Various foaming agents, plasticizers, or fixatives such as phthalates or sulfates are accused of being endocrine disruptors.

• Regarding formaldehyde

• Some preservatives such as the phenoxyethanol, the chlorphenesin and the methylisothiazolinone, some of which are discouraged due to their irritating properties and others are suspected of promoting the onset of cancer.

Therefore, reading labels carefully allows you to identify the constituent ingredients, as well as the method of use for the skincare product, but also to spot any potentially risky ingredients. To reinforce your choice, you can refer to environmental certifications and various labels that should also be listed on the packaging.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32006D0257