We’re jumping right into today’s blogpost with some practice. I hope you were paying attention in the first part of this 2-part blog series! Now, which of the ingredients in the following list makes up most of the product?
If you said water (aqua), then you’re spot on! You’re ready to move on to our final segment of this 2-part series: 3 simple steps to understanding ingredients.
Step 1:
Locate the ingredient list. Here are possible sites:
- On the bottle
- On outer packaging
- Hang tags
- Leaflets or pamphlets placed together with the products
- Website
The proper term for ingredient list is theINCI (International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient). I know, it sounds like too long to be practical, but it’s an internationally recognized name of cosmetic ingredients!Remember that theINCI uses a combination of scientific, English, and Latin names to uniquely identify each cosmetic ingredient.
Step 2
Type the ingredient name into the search bar of either website listed below.
Cosmetic Ingredients Review (CIR) reviews individual chemical compounds used in cosmetic products. An independent panel of experts under CIR assesses the safety of individual ingredients in the site’s database. This panel comprises of world-renowned scientists – including dermatologists, pathologists, toxicologists, and chemists – who are independent of the cosmetics industry and adhere to a strictconflict of interest policy.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) consists of a diverse group of experts, including scientists, attorneys, analysts, and data and communications specialists, with deep knowledge about environmental health. Their mission is to provide you with breakthrough research, empowering you to make informed choices and live a healthy life.
Step 3
After typing in the ingredient name, hit enter and watch as detailed information regarding the ingredient appears on your screen! Read the information thoroughly to gain a better understanding of specific ingredients.
These 3 simple steps will help you make sense of skincare/cosmetic labels.
Reach out to us if you need further clarification about certain controversial ingredients. Check this link#SAYNO List if you are interested to know what ingredients we choose to avoid and why. We are here to guide you towards becoming wiser consumers, so feel free to send any and all questions our way!
Follow us @sageandylang for more transparent information about the beauty industry.