If you’ve ever tried to read the ingredients list on the back of your favorite moisturizer, you know it feels like you’re trying to decipher a secret language. All those complicated names and difficult terms can be quite intimidating! But it’s incredibly useful to know exactly what’s in your skincare products. After all, our skin is our largest organ, and it deserves the best care. So, why does that list even exist? How do you read it? And how can a handy app like Yuka help you with that? Let’s dive in!
Skincare Ingredient List: How to Read It and What You Need to Know
Why an ingredients list?
Simple: it’s a legal requirement! Manufacturers are required to list all ingredients of their products on the packaging. This is meant to provide you as a customer with transparency, so that you can make a conscious choice about what you apply to your skin. Especially if you have sensitive skin or want to avoid certain ingredients, it is essential to know what is in your skincare. Learning to read the ingredients list can help you make better choices for your skin.
How do you start reading?
The ingredients list of a skin care product is always listed in order of quantity. This means that the ingredient at the top is the most present in the product. As you go further down, the ingredients are added in smaller and smaller quantities. Keep in mind that ingredients at the bottom of the list often make up less than 1% of the total content. This is useful to know if you are looking for a certain ingredient or if you want to avoid something.
Tips for reading the ingredients list
Look at the first five ingredients - These are the key players in the product. For example, if you are looking for a moisturizer, look for ingredients like water (aqua), glycerin, hyaluronic acid or natural oils at the top of the list. They are the foundation of what you are putting on your skin.
Don’t be afraid of complicated names – Sometimes ingredients sound like something out of a chemistry class. Take tocopherol, for example, which is just vitamin E! It’s helpful to learn the names of the ingredients that are good for your skin so you don’t get scared by all the scientific jargon.
Look for active ingredients - These are the 'powerhouses' of the product, such as vitamin C or bakuchiol. Make sure that these ingredients are not at the very bottom of the list, as they are likely to be present in too low concentrations to be effective.
Use the Yuka app for more insight.
Don't feel like manually deciphering all the ingredients? Enter: the Yuka app! This smart app scans your products and immediately gives an ingredient rating. Super convenient, right? However, there are sometimes nuances that Yuka doesn't fully display. That's why we'd like to share some extra information on how to interpret these ratings, especially when it comes to natural products like those from Self.
Scan and discover - Use the app to scan products. Yuka gives them a score and shows you immediately if they contain harmful or controversial ingredients.
Learn from the reviews - Yuka evaluates ingredients based on scientific sources and provides insight into their potential effects. For example, a product containing an essential oil, such as Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil (mandarin oil), may be considered an 'allergenic' by Yuka. At Self, however, we use natural, essential oils in a very low concentration that do not cause an irritating reaction on the skin. This allows us to keep our products mild and safe, even with ingredients that are sometimes critically reviewed by apps like Yuka.
Set personal preferences - The Yuka app provides general information, but you can also set your own preferences. For example, if you are looking for products that are free of parabens or silicones.
Safety and effectiveness: that's our promise to you!
At Self, you can trust that our products are not only safe, but also really do what they promise. We strive for the very best for your skin. That is why we continuously research the effectiveness of our ingredients and their possible long-term effects. Our products are formulated with proven key ingredients, which are present in exactly the right concentrations to make a visible difference for your skin. No empty promises or 'hype ingredients' that dangle at the bottom of the list. With us, you can be sure that you are choosing skin care that not only feels good, but is also really good for your skin.
Finally, stay curious!
It can be a bit overwhelming at first to get to know all those ingredients, but trust us: the more you check the list, the easier it gets. Be curious and keep discovering what works best for your skin. Do you have any skincare questions or want more tips? We are happy to help you!