If you’re a babe who’s sick of reading words words, googling ingredients and being sold products without actually being told what the f%*$ is in them and what they do, this is for you.
One: ‘Naturally derived’
I access properties of a natural raw material like the oil from a coconut and use it to make things, without the labs. Like, using a coconut for it’s oil in my Coconut Body Balm rather than the whole coconut.
Two: Benzoyl peroxide
A medication used to treat mild to moderate acne that you should stay clear from. If you’re a babe with sensitive dry skin, you might see this in many chemical heavy products but it actually can dry and irritate skin. Opt for a gentle, cleanser that clears the skin without stripping it.
Three: ‘Pat face dry after cleaning’
While this seems like a silly instruction, it’s true. Don’t rub your cleansed face. Rubbing your face after a wash strips your skin’s moisture and stretches your skin which can lead to more wrinkles down the track.
Four: ‘hypoallergenic’ and ‘noncomedogenic’
There are no FDA definitions that govern the use of terms like “hypoallergenic” and “noncomedogenic” on skin-care products; a company can do extensive testing or not, and use them.
Five: Ceramides
Naturally occurring in the skin, these waxy lipid molecules act as a sort of moisture shield for your skin, preventing moisture from leaving the surface and protecting the skin from environmental factors. They can also be synthesised in other products like gentle cleansers.
Six: Organic
Something that is grown, produced and made without eh use of chemicals, pesticides or in mass produced environments. Any brand or product can have the label ‘organic’ regardless if the ingredients or product itself is cultivated this way. Look out for a ‘certified organic’ logo on products that have been tested and checked by leading health and organic bodies.
Seven: ‘Will help’ versus ‘may help’
Brands can’t make claims that their product actually helps skin unless it’s been dermatologically tested. That’s why you’ll see people say things like ‘This may help with la de dah’ or ‘Some babes found it helped with X, Y, Z.’
Eight: Irritants
Some tingles are good, ones on your face? Not so much. Any funny sensation you experience after applying a product isn’t a sign it’s working babe, it’s your skin crying for help. Potentially irritating ingredients like menthol (the usual culprit for the aforementioned tingle), eucalyptus, citrus oils, and artificial fragrance are ubiquitous in common skin-care products, so be sure to check your labels, especially if your skin is the sensitive type.
Nine: Ingredient lists
The first five ingredients are generally the bulk of a product. Ingredients are listed in order of their concentrations unless they are less than one percent of the formula (these can be listed in any order the manufacturer likes). But that doesn’t mean an ingredient has to be up top to effectively change your skin as some ingredients are potent in smaller doses.
Ten: Vegan
Generally, vegan products are labeled, like my body scrubs. If you’re ever unsure, ask and check the ingredient listings. Some products contain mostly vegan ingredients but are bound with ethically-sourced honey or lanolin.
Happy reading babe.
frank x