Why is it important to know the composition of cosmetics?
When choosing cosmetics, we want our skin to become healthy and beautiful. Ideally, all advertising promises come true. Unfortunately, cosmetics do not always have the qualities indicated on the front side of the label. Why this happens can be found out by looking at the back of the jar, where the composition of this product is indicated. How to check the composition of cosmetics? How to understand this information and find a really good cosmetic product - we tell you in our article.
Why study the composition of cosmetics?
How to read labels
Main components of cosmetics
Water
Emulsifiers
Preservatives
Surfactants
Active Ingredients
Fragrances
What ingredients should you avoid?
Signs of good cosmetics
ROSILAK cosmeceuticals for body care
Composition of cosmetics for manicure and pedicure
How to choose cosmetics that are right for you
Why study the composition of cosmetics?
According to statistics, every day women use from two to fifteen different cosmetics. Daily care includes: cleansing foams, tonics, serums, oils, creams and other formats. Each of them includes dozens of different components. Now imagine how many different substances in total you apply to your skin every day? Therefore, it is important to understand what effect each ingredient has, how safe they all are and how they combine with each other.
In pursuit of customers, marketers have missed real information about the effects of ingredients and, for the sake of sales, are ready to tell and show completely implausible information. To understand well how cosmetics work, you need to know how their components affect our skin.
For example, there is a lot of information about the benefits of micellar products compared to regular cleansers, but few people understand what micelles are. In fact, these are surfactants (surfactants) that are used in any cleansers. And when choosing a skin cleanser, you need to look not at the name “micellar”, but at the type of cleansing ingredient in the composition. They can be of natural and synthetic origin. When using a natural detergent component there will be no negative effect on the skin. This is much better than “micellar water” with an aggressive surfactant.
When choosing cosmetics, you want to believe the promises of manufacturers or trust the advice of a friend. Or, in the end, seeing the word “super moisturizing” on the cream label, you can be sure that the product is really suitable for dry and sensitive skin. Unfortunately, this path is not always correct. We suggest using a scientific approach. Study the real list of components - then you can really make the right choice.
How to read labels
The list of components can be written in both Russian and INCI. The abbreviation INCI stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. Translated from English it is “International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients”. There are websites to decipher these names, where you can check what the components of your cosmetic product are.
Substances contained in the product are listed on the label according to their concentration. The more a component is contained, the closer it is to the top of the list. The latter ingredients are usually contained in a ratio of less than 1%. At the very end most often there are extracts, preservatives and fragrances.
If everything is clear with the latter, their quantity cannot be large in the composition, then let’s figure it out with extracts. Oil extracts cannot be added to cosmetics in a concentration of more than 10%, as they can be harmful in high concentrations - leading to allergies or burns. In this case, what is important is not concentration, but rather competent selection - so that the cosmetics are truly useful.
Two products may have the same composition, but have completely different results when used. There is often an opinion that the more active ingredients the better, but this is not true. For example, professional cosmetics are distinguished by the fact that the components are selected in such a concentration that, when tested, will show the best result. And this concentration is not always maximum. Some substances can inhibit the action of each other. Cosmetic production is a big science.
Let's take a closer look at what exactly is usually found in cosmetic tubes.
Main components of cosmetics
Water
The vast majority of cosmetic preparations contain it in the first place. And that's okay. It is important to understand here that aqua or water can also be different. Regular tap water is not suitable. It may contain microbes and other substances that may interact undesirably with the active ingredients of cosmetics. Water for care products must be specially prepared, that is, purified. Thermal water is often used as the basis for luxury products.
Emulsifiers
The substances that make up the product have different consistencies. Mixing oil and water components is not so easy. To ensure that the finished product acquires the desired texture, comfortable and attractive appearance, emulsifiers are used. They allow you to mix the ingredients efficiently and ensure a stable consistency of the mixture throughout the entire shelf life. Emulsifiers in cosmetics are usually designated as PEG. They can be of natural or synthetic origin.
Preservatives
A cosmetic product “without preservatives” is also, as a rule, a trick of the manufacturer. If this were true, such a product would be stored exclusively in the refrigerator and only for a few days. Preservatives help cosmetics maintain their effectiveness and not deteriorate for a much longer time. However, this component can also be “bad” and “good”. Natural preservatives are considered safe. For example, acids (Acid), sorbates (Sorbate), benzoates (Benzoate), herbal and plant extracts. Natural preservatives can preserve the quality of cosmetics for no more than 1 year.
If you see products with an expiration date of 5 years or more, this is generally contrary to Russian legislation. In Russia, cosmetics can have a maximum shelf life of 3 years. This helps reduce the risk of adding harsh preservatives that do more harm than good to the skin.
But cosmetics cannot be used without preservatives. Any cosmetic products in contact with the external environment can become dangerous for the skin, since pathogenic microflora quickly colonizes the nutrient medium.
The amount of preservatives is also affected by the packaging of the product. For example, a dark glass bottle with a dispenser ensures better preservation of the product. For similar cosmetics in a classic plastic jar, you will need more preservatives.
Surfactants
Surfactants upon contact with water form foam, which is responsible for removing impurities from the skin and hair. Surfactants are usually added to shampoos, shower gels, foams, mousses for washing, etc. In mass-market products these are usually sulfate components SLS or SLES: Sodium lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Milder, sulfate-free formulas include Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauryl Glutamate, Lauryl Glucoside, Glyceryl Laurate and other gentle surfactants.
There are also natural surfactants that do not dry the skin and may not be washed off with water at all. For example, cocamidopropyl betaine. This substance has excellent foaming and cleansing properties. At the same time, the effect of the surfactant is mild and safe. It is suitable for caring even for very sensitive skin. One example of a gentle cleanser based on cocomidopropyl betaine is foam from Kosmetsevtik. Its hypoallergenic formula ensures gentle cleansing, moisturizing the skin and helps restore the hydrolipid mantle. The composition includes natural active substances: marine cryptum, bisabolol, chlorophyll and orange essential oil. The product is suitable for caring for skin prone to allergies and irritations and is recommended for use even by teenagers.
facial foam
Active Ingredients
The composition of useful substances and their functions are determined by the main action of this product. The main components can be divided into types:
Moisturizing agents (hyaluronic acid, panthenol, urea, low concentrations of acids, fatty alcohols, aloe extract and other substances that retain moisture).
Nutritious (various oils: argan, almond, coconut, grape seed, peach, macadamia and others).
Enveloping (synthetic silicones and their natural analogues)
Exfoliating (AHA and BHA acids, alkaline components, enzymes, pumice crystals, apricot kernel particles and other granular components).
Anti-inflammatory (azelaic, salicylic and linoleic acids, extracts of chamomile, calendula, coniferous trees, sage, linden, witch hazel, tea tree oil, etc.)
Regenerating (collagen, retinoids, peptides, panthenol, allantoin, vitamin complexes)
Antioxidants (vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10, plant extracts).
These are just some of the possible active ingredients that may be contained in cosmetic preparations. It is important that a drug called, for example, anti-inflammatory, actually contains active substances with such an effect.
Specialists who work with skin analyze the composition more deeply, since the same ingredient can be both beneficial and harmful. For example, alcohol can be different. Let's look at the most common options. Methyl and isopropyl alcohols dry the skin, but are disinfecting components. But ethyl alcohol does not dry out the skin. There are IN VITRO trials that prove this. Ethyl alcohol is also an excellent conductor, helping active ingredients penetrate the skin better.
Don’t be lazy to search the Internet for the names of unknown ingredients from the list of components of a cosmetic product. See if these substances really have a beneficial effect.
Fragrances
The pleasant smell of cosmetics increases its attractiveness to the end consumer. Some very useful components may have a neutral or even slightly unpleasant aroma. To make the finished cosmetic product pleasant to use, manufacturers add fragrances - parfum or fragrance. They can be synthetic or of natural origin: essential oils or flower extracts.
Some products have no smell at all - but this does not mean they are natural. Manufacturers can add a whole bunch of components to the composition that neutralize its aroma. The buyer gets the feeling that the product is hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly, although this is not the case.
What ingredients should you avoid?
We found out that emulsifiers, preservatives and other components can be part of even the safest cream. However, there is a blacklist of specific substances that are best avoided when choosing cosmetics and cosmeceuticals:
Silicones. They are easily distinguished by the endings "-cone" and "-xane". For example, Dimethicone, Cyclopentaxiloxane.
Aggressive surfactants. These include sulfate varieties - SLES and SLS. They disrupt the natural balance of the epidermis.
Dangerous preservatives. These are all substances with the ending “-paraben”, as well as BHA, BHT, EDTA, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Diazolidinyl Urea, Phenoxyethanol, Bronidox, Quaternium-15 and Methylchloroisothiazolinone. They are carcinogenic.
Mineral oils. These are Mineral oil, Vaseline Paraffin, Paraffinum liquidum, Ozokerite, Ceresin and others. Cheap petroleum products weaken the natural lipid barrier and dry out the skin.
Synthetic emulsifiers are chemical elements with the PEG prefix.
You should also be careful when using cosmetics with synthetic fragrances. A beautiful perfume composition can cause allergies, and in general does not do anything beneficial for your skin.
Signs of good cosmetics
Now let’s look at the signs that indicate that this is a worthy cosmetic product:
Number of components. Good cosmetics do not necessarily contain a huge list of active ingredients. There may be few of them, but they all must have proven effectiveness and be combined with each other. It’s good when the composition of the product is “enhanced” with natural ingredients - extracts of herbs and plants.
Pleasant, but not pungent smell. Natural fragrances, such as essential oils, are added to high-quality cosmetics and cosmeceuticals. They not only give a pleasant aroma, but also have an additional positive effect on the skin, nails and hair.
Place of sale of products. High-quality cosmetics can be difficult to find in popular supermarkets. More often, such products are sold in highly specialized centers, stores, pharmacies or marketplaces.
Give preference to cosmeceuticals. Unlike cosmetics, it contains more active substances and is aimed at a comprehensive solution to a specific problem. Cosmeceuticals do not mask imperfections; they eliminate the causes of their appearance.
Important
moment – the price and value of a cosmetic product. Of course, high-quality cosmetics and cosmeceuticals cannot be very cheap. At the same time, expensive “luxury” products do not necessarily have an effective and safe composition.
You shouldn't buy cheap cosmetics, they can't be good. The cost of a cosmetic product consists not only of the price of the components, but also of the cost of the bottle, label, and packaging. They must also be of high quality and ensure the safety of the contents.
When choosing cosmetics, pay attention to Russian-made products. The absence of costs for international logistics and independence from foreign suppliers allows us to produce cosmetic products with excellent composition and affordable cost.
Composition of cosmetics for manicure and pedicure
Products used to care for hands and feet require the same careful approach as facial cosmetics. Pay attention to the composition of the jars, because not all components are safe and have proven effectiveness.
When choosing nail polish, avoid dangerous ingredients that may be present: toluene, formaldehyde, camphor. It is advisable to purchase coating removal liquids without acetone. They have a softer effect and dry out the nail plate less.
Products for the care of nails and skin of the feet can have a natural composition and at the same time be very effective in the fight against dryness, hyperhidrosis, onycholysis and even fungal diseases. For example, the Regenerator oil complex from ROSILAK. Ingredients: peach oil, pine provitamin concentrate, tea tree oil, lemongrass essential oil. Thus, inside the jar there is a 100% natural mixture of natural oils. At the same time, the product has a pronounced effect: quickly eliminates itching, peeling, restores the nail plate, promotes the healing of cracks in the skin, and eliminates dryness. The effectiveness of the complex was assessed by professional podologists and dermatologists. They actively use it for salon procedures, and also recommend it to their patients as home care.
How to choose cosmetics that are right for you
Recommendations from friends and relatives are a lottery. You can guess, or you can miss the choice, because your skin is unique. Ideally, you should consult a cosmetologist or podiatrist. Selecting cosmetics and cosmeceuticals is a little more than choosing a cream based on your skin type. An experienced specialist will analyze the condition of your skin, note the main problems, listen to your wishes and give specific recommendations. After this, choosing the ideal cosmetic product will be much easier.
If a cosmetologist is not available in your case, do not neglect the advice of consultants at a specialized store. They have extensive selection experience and are well versed in the lines of cosmetic products presented, understanding how they work separately and in combination.
You can analyze the composition of the selected cosmetics using various online services. They will check the list of active ingredients, dividing them into safe, harmful and cautionary components. Be responsible about the ingredients in the products you use daily. Effective natural cosmetics can qualitatively transform the condition of your skin. Take time for yourself, shine and be beautiful every day.
