Understanding how to read a cosmetic label is necessary. You should treat it like a food label and be more conscious of what you are slathering on your skin. Getting to know what you are putting on your face is just as important as knowing what you are putting in your mouth. Let’s take some time to learn how to interpret the information or typical symbols labelled on packaging now.
#1 Ingredients list
All ingredients are shown in descending order of concentration. See an ingredient you have never come across before? Go ahead and “Google” it! Keep a look out for ingredients that you are allergic to before buying, such as parabens, alcohol and synthetic fragrances etc.
#2 PAO (Period After Opening)
The little jar icon tells you how long the product is good for after opening. For example, if it is written “12M” on or next to the symbol, you will know that the product will expire 12 months after opening. What will actually happen if you use expired makeup? It may cause breakouts and skin irritation like swelling, itching and rashes.
Below you may find the general guide of makeup expiration dates.
Liquid foundation & concealer – 6 to 12 months
Mascara – 3 months
Blush, eyeshadow & eyeliner – 6 to 12 months
Lipstick – 1 year
Remember not to store cosmetics in warm or damp places like bathroom, it can lead to earlier expiration.
#3 Further Information
This hand-pointing “refer-to-insert” symbol appears quite often on smaller cosmetics packages, and it is used when there is not enough space to include all the required information on the packages. Additional information or instructions can be found somewhere else in the packaging, for example, a leaflet.
#4 Green Dot
This is a trademark that indicates the manufacturer of the product has paid to fund the recycling of that packaging when it eventually becomes waste.
