Short answer: To read an ingredient label, remember that ingredients are listed in descending order of quantity down to 1%, so the first five are in practice the product. Then search for “parfum”, which can hide dozens of undeclared compounds, and find the batch date and best-before. Treat “natural” and “chemical-free” as marketing, not information.
Key takeaways
- Ingredients are listed in descending order of quantity down to 1%; the first five are in practice the product.
- “Parfum” can stand in for dozens of undeclared compounds, so you cannot patch test what you cannot see.
- “Natural”, “dermatologically tested” and “chemical-free” tell you little about the formula.
- Caution: a clean-looking label does not guarantee your skin will tolerate a product, so patch test anyway.
An ingredient list is a legal document written in Latin, ordered by weight, and designed to be skimmed. Here is how to actually read one.
In what order are ingredients listed?
In descending order of quantity, down to 1%. After that they can appear in any order at all. So the botanical extract sitting proudly in the product name, but appearing three from the end, is very likely a rounding error in the formula.
What does “Parfum” hide on an ingredient list?
“Parfum” is not one ingredient. Under fragrance-disclosure rules, a manufacturer may list an entire fragrance blend as the single word Parfum (or Fragrance). That one word can stand in for dozens of undeclared compounds, and it is legally protected as a trade secret.
You cannot patch test what you cannot see, and you cannot avoid what you are not told about. This is why “Parfum” appears nowhere in any GraceYes formula: where a product has a scent, it comes from a named essential oil or from the ingredients themselves.
Which label words mean less than they seem?
Several popular claims say less than they appear to. Here is what each one does and does not tell you.
| Label wording | What it tells you | What it does not tell you |
|---|---|---|
| Natural | Nothing on its own, as it is not a regulated term | Which ingredients, how much, or how they were made |
| Dermatologically tested | The product was tested | What the result was |
| Chemical-free | Signals the marketing, not the formula. Water is a chemical, so the claim is impossible | Anything about what is actually inside |
| Free from ___ | Useful only when the list is long and specific | Whether what replaced it suits your skin |
Ours is on The Free-From Promise.
Hair Wash & Conditioner
200 ml · ₹370
Sulphate-free wash with the ingredients named on the pack.
Not for you if your scalp reacts to essential oils. It contains turmeric, basil and jasmine essential oils, so patch test first.
What is a quick way to check any label?
It takes about thirty seconds:
- Read the first five ingredients.
- Search the list for “parfum”.
- Find the batch date and the best-before.
If any of the three is missing or vague, you have learned something about how the product was made. If you have a known fragrance allergy, or you are choosing for a baby or during pregnancy, ask your doctor or paediatrician before trying something new.
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Frequently asked questions
What does INCI mean on a cosmetic label?
INCI stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, a standard naming system. It is why many ingredients appear under Latin or technical names.
Does a longer ingredient list mean a worse product?
Not by itself. A long list of named, simple ingredients can be fine, and a short list can still hide a vague term. Read what the words are, not just how many there are.
Do ingredients below 1% matter?
They can. Below 1% they may be listed in any order, and some fragrance or preservative ingredients work at low levels. That is why a vague word such as “parfum” is worth noticing.
Does “free from” mean a product is safe for me?
No. It only tells you what was left out. Check what is in the product, patch test, and ask your doctor if you have a skin condition.
Where do I find the batch date and best-before?
Usually printed on the pack, the crimp of a tube or the base of a jar. If you cannot find one, that is worth knowing before you buy.
In short: read the first five ingredients, look for “parfum”, and find the dates.
Our motto: to make the cleanest beauty products
To see what a short, named ingredient list looks like, browse our bestsellers.
Browse our bestsellers →Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, Article 19: labelling, including the ingredient list in descending order of weight.
Related reading: sulfates: why the foam is cheap and what you put on your skin does not stay on your skin.