How to identify a good cosmetic?

To select a good cosmetic for your health and the environment It is important to have some basic notions that help you in the choice.

Depending on your habits, Every day you come into contact with the ingredients that are part of the composition of cosmetics. These ingredients can be natural or chemical and the proportion between them depends on the type of product you use.

What is a cosmetic?

A cosmetic it is a substance or mixture destined to be put in contact with different surface parts of the body for cleaning or beautification, especially on the face.

Although cosmetics are part of our daily lives, Many people relate the word cosmetic exclusively to facial care products, Perfumes or makeup products. However, many other products that we usually use are also cosmetics. In addition to those related to face care and makeup, the following are included:

• Soaps and deodorants.
• External intimate hygiene products.
• Perfumes and cologne waters.
• Products for oral and dental care.
• Prepared for bath and shower.
• All nail and lip care products.
• Depilatory products
• Products related to hygiene, color and beauty of hair.
• Sunscreens and products for sunless tanning.

Labeling of a good cosmetic

As for the labeling of a cosmetic product, containers and packaging must include:

• Product denomination.
• Name or business name and address of the manufacturer.
• Weight or volume
• Date of Expiry.
• Manufacturing lot number.
• Country of origin.
• Special precautions for employment.
• Product Function

Discover: What to consider in the labels of skin products

What is the INCI of a cosmetic?

INCI stands for International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient. It is a denomination that is used internationally to name all the ingredients of cosmetics. In the label of all cosmetics the list of ingredients must be included in an INCI nomenclature, ordered according to their importance and proportion in the formula.

According to this, the first components are those found in greater quantities and the last ones, those that are present in smaller quantities. Therefore, in a good cosmetic that tells us about the fantastic properties of an ingredient, it should appear at the top of the list.

How are vegetable ingredients identified?

In good cosmetic, the vegetable ingredients are at the top of the list. To identify them, you must know that The Latin name of the plant is used followed by:

• Aqua, toilet or distilate: for hydrolates and floral waters.
• Extract: for extracts.
• Oil: for oils
• Butter: for vegetable shortening.
• Wax: for vegetable waxes.

On the other hand, the term parfum can refer to any substance that is added to the cosmetic to flavor it. Within this denomination, it can be included from a natural essential oil to ingredients suspected of being carcinogenic, such as toluene or phthalates. In a good cosmetic, it is usually indicated that it refers to an essential oil.

Tips for preserving cosmetics

When you open a cosmetic product, in addition to looking at the PAO indicator, acronym for Period After Opening or period after being opened, you must follow some recommendations so that their properties remain unchanged.

The PAO may vary based on the following factors:

• Type of container used.
• If you have or not preservatives.
• Type of cosmetic formula.
• If it is a product for sensitive skin.
• Area of ​​the body where the product is going to be applied.

It is advisable to store cosmetics in a cool, dry place away from light.. When handling them with your fingers, it is advisable to wash your hands before and after each use, closing the container well once you have used it.

In the case of sunscreens, you must renew them every year, since it may happen that the filters that make up your formula have lost effectiveness. And most importantly, if when you open a cosmetic you see that it has lost the smell and color it had, either because its texture is watery or because it does not smell good, it will be better not to use it.

Therefore, to avoid unwanted adverse effects such as irritations or allergies, the most convenient is to follow the recommendations indicated on the packaging of each product, discarding it once the indicated date of use has passed.

You may also be interested: 9 negative consequences of using expired cosmetics

conclusion

To identify a good cosmetic, you must look at its label; so you can check in its composition if the ingredients appear in the appropriate proportions. In addition to knowing what is indicated, it has to be suitable for your skin type.