The biggest mistake people make when seeking effective skincare is buying recklessly without taking into account whether or not the ingredients on the front or back of the bottle align with the claim the product is making.
Things Your Ingredients Tell You About Your Product
- Whether or not the product's claims are true
- What benefits you can expect from your skincare routine
- Whether a product will be too strong for sensitive or reactive skin
- How you should use the product in your routine
- Whether a product is high quality or not
- Whether or not you are wasting your money
Are your ingredients telling you that your product will be effective?
Many sellers make money off of a hefty combination of consumer ignorance and excitement.
The less you know about the ingredients on the label, the more likely you will fall for the product's claims, social media advertising and influencer persuasions.
For example, in order for you to know that jojoba will not brighten your skin in 3 days, you would have to understand what it is jojoba actually does.
Jojoba does not directly impact melanin or tyrosinase, rather it helps to soften and balance skin, helping to reduce oil production in oily skin and enhancing skin texture.
Many skincare products also claim to show extravagant differences in skin in days-such as Botox level tightening in 3 days and other extravagant claims in order to reign in money from consumers.
In reality, results this fast are far more expensive than shelf products and require Botox, chemical peels, or cosmetic surgical procedures to cause these results to be visible within a day or few days' time. Topical applications that match these results are more likely to be found in a cosmetic surgeon's clinic or be prescribed by a doctor.
Typical shelf products will take weeks, months, or (maybe even a year of routine use depending on the severity of the skin concern) to gradually correct problems and show effects so significant.
Knowing what your ingredients are capable of saves you from:
- wasting money on products not targeted to your needs
- experiencing disappointment and frustration
- blaming your skin when it is the product that is at fault.
What benefits are your ingredients telling you to expect?
Ingredients like coconut, argan, and squalane provide intense nourishment to the skin and hair, delivering Vitamin E, keeping the moisture barriers strong and hydrated while protecting firmness, elasticity.
- Frankincense, Cinnamon, Camellia, Carrot Seed, Turmeric, Sea Buckthorn, Prickly Pear Seed, Cacay and citrus oils help to reduce hyperpigmentation and fade blemishes and dark spots, while Rosehip Seed and Evening Primrose protect against future dark spots and blemishes.
- Prickly Pear Seed, Squalane, Argan, and Rosehip Seed are also great for skin cell regeneration, improving skin's texture and firmness.
- Tamanu, Cacay, Pomegranate Seed and Helichrysum have strong skin cell regenerative properties which stimulate and accelerate wound healing, helping to repair damage and reduce the appearance of scarring and acne blemishes.
- Lemon, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Blue Tansy, Tea Tree, Black Seed and Roman Chamomile serve as natural skin-calming, anti-inflammatories and antihistamines.
- Bakuchiol, Cacay, Tamanu and Tea Tree are important aids in reducing acne and breakouts and cellular regeneration for a smoother, more even skin tone and moisture barrier protection.
- Pumpkinseed helps block DHT (dihydrotestosterone), preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth.
- Arugula (Eruca Sativa, Rosemary, and Peppermint stimulate the scalp and follicles, reduce dandruff-causing bacteria and breakage, and provide nourishment and moisture to the hair follicles, promoting healthier hair growth.
- Batana does not directly affect hair growth, however, it contributes to a healthier scalp environment and provides deep moisturization.
- Hyaluronic Acid binds moisture and helps hydrate and plump skin. Hyaluronic acid penetrates deeper than polyglutamic acid.
- Polyglutamic acid- is a powerful skin humectant, holding up to 5,000 times its weight in water, much more than that of the more popular hyaluronic acid. It creates a film barrier over the skin to prevent water loss and leaves a dewier finish than hyaluronic acid, while also helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and enhancing skin elasticity.
- Ceramides help to lock in moisture and provides barrier protection.
- Peptides aid in reducing wrinkles and improving skin elasticity.
- Ceramides and peptides are best when used together -providing collagen stimulation, skin restoration, and significant barrier protection.
Refined botanical ingredients: Less Benefits and bioactives.
Main purpose of refined botanical ingredients: Moisturization. Skin-soothing.
Unrefined, cold-pressed botanical ingredients: More bioactives and more benefits.
Main purpose of unrefined botanical ingredients: Moisturization, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-aging effects. Designed for more advanced skin benefits.
While this is no complete list, it is demonstrative of the unique qualities of ingredients and sheds light on specific ingredient strengths, with some botanical oils holding more power in one area than others.
In an age when we can only trust half of what is said about a product, it is most important to do our own research into ingredients to avoid being tricked into wasting money on products that sound, look, and feel amazing... but prove to be useless for our desired needs in the end.
Are your ingredients telling you that your products will work against you?
Some ingredients interact negatively with prescription topical applications and medications.
For example, you should not use prescription retinol creams in combination with ingredients that also have a high retinol content. Overusing retinol can cause an adverse reaction and damage skin.
Vitamin A (retinol/retinoids) degrade in sunlight and increase sun sensitivity. Other ingredients such as bergamot, grapefruit, and salicylic acid exfoliators can also cause photosensitivity in sunlight.
Certain ingredients can cause allergic reactions in those with reactive or hypersensitive skin including:
- Essential oils like lavender, tea tree, cinnamon bark (high content of cinnamaldehyde), clove, lemongrass and nut oils, such as walnut and sesame
- Preservative like formaldehyde releasers (DMDM hydantoin), parabens, and methylisothiazolinone
- Glycolic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- alcohol-based fragrances and perfumes
- sunscreens containing oxybenzone, and other chemical sunscreens
Ingredients likely to cause skin-clogging and lead to acne breakouts:
- Coconut has a high comedogenic rating of 5, meaning that it is extremely like to clog pores and cause breakouts in most users. Best for body and hair, not so great for facial care.
- Palm oil is known to cause clogging and breakouts when used in skincare products for the face.
- Wheat Germ oil has a comedogenic rating of 5 and should not be used on the face.
- Soybean oil is best praised for cooking benefits but makes a poor choice for facial care.
- Marula has a comedogenic rating of 3-4, a medium chance of pore clogging if not properly formulated.
- Avocado oil should not be used on oily or acne-prone skin. Though it provides skin benefits, it is best used on the body and hair rather than the face.
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Flaxseed has a comedogenic rating of 4 and well known to cause clogging and breakouts when used on the face.
- Cocoa Butter has a comedogenic rating of 4 and should not be used on the face. Best for body and hair.
Ingredients tell you how to use products in your skincare routine.
When incorporating new products into your routine it's important to look to the ingredients to know the order in which the products should be applied for maximum benefits.
Water-based products. Water serves as moisture. Water based products evaporate from the skin if not sealed. Creams are also water-based and
Oil-based products/Occlusives. Oils serve as moisturizing and penetrating sealants.
Your water-based products should be applied first and oil-based products last to seal in the nutrient and antioxidant benefits and provide moisture barrier protection.
Are Your Ingredients Telling You That Your Product is Low or High in Quality?
There are other things to look for in ingredients - rather than just the names of them- to determine whether you have a worthy product.
Sometimes you must examine both the appearance and the aroma of the product.
Are your ingredients refined or unrefined?
Refined botanical oils are typically:
- Usually completely clear and colorless (like water)
- Odorless
- Often preferred for those with hypersensitive or reactive skin types
- offer great moisturizing benefits for skin and hair
- gentler on the skin than unrefined ingredients
- cheaper than unrefined ingredients and more easily accessible
- Lower quality than unrefined oils
Refined ingredients have undergone a heating and filtering process that unfortunately also removes bioactives essential to skincare benefits.
However, refined skincare products tend to be great for those looking for moisturization and those who have sensitive skin.
Unrefined botanical oils are:
- Brown, blue hued, orange-red, green, dark yellow in color, while others are a clear blue, clear green, or clear golden color, while others, such as tamanu, can appear greenish brown and cloudy.
- Most unrefined oils have an herbaceous, spicy, floral, nutty, woodsy, citrus, or earthy scent
- Cold-pressed method of extraction
- Used in medicinal formulations for health, skincare, and beauty for centuries, stretching back to the ancient peoples
- Often incorporated into modern ointments to reduce acne, inflammation, sunburns, and as scalp remedies to stimulate the scalp and promote growth and healthier hair
- Renowned for skincare effects
- Naturally anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidants
- Often used by those who prefer to avoid chemically enhanced and potentially skin-damaging ingredients, refined oils, and synthetics
- More expensive to obtain
- Often used in higher quality, anti-aging skincare products and formulations
- Higher quality than refined or synthetic oils
Unrefined oils are more carefully extracted using cold-pressing methods which preserve their antioxidants and skin-beneficial bioactives.
Unrefined oils are best for those who need more than moisturization, such as skin-cell regeneration, collagen stimulation, reduced blemishes, scalp stimulation and nourishment for healthier skin and hair.
Other skincare ingredients include synthetics and imitation oils. These oils are:
- man-made
- usually mimic refined oils
- colorless or odorless
- usually do not provide any actual skin benefits
- may list natural ingredients on the label
- may make claims of luxury, but pricing is a teller, such as 8 ounces for $5.00 or a gallon for $10.
- often preferred for those who are on a budget
- may provide moisturizing benefits and feel better on the skin
- certain chemicals used may cause skin damage and severe reactions
- often added to creams and serums
Do the ingredients list a large supply of fillers and additives or genuine ingredients?
Many fillers and ingredients can lead to skin damage even if they feel nice when applying them to the skin. Fillers and additives may be found in both refined and synthetic skincare ingredients.
Ingredients that you should avoid using on your face include:
- Phthalates
- Talc
- Silicones (Dimethicone) creates a smooth feel while trapping microbial growth and sebum in the skin
- Parabens
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS and SLES)
- SD Alcohol 40
- Ethanol
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Dyes
Ingredients tell you when you are wasting your money.
The most important evidence you have on a bottle or packaging to prove or disprove a product's claims, are the ingredients listed.
"Jojoba will brighten your skin in a week!" False. Jojoba balances and nourishes.
"Batana oil-guaranteed to increase hair growth!" False. Batana creates a healthier scalp environment.
"Pumpkinseed oil helps to promote hair growth!" True. Pumpkinseed helps to block DHT, the hormone that causes male and female hair loss.
"Refined pomegranate seed and prickly pear seed to diminish wrinkles and firm skin." Likely to be false. Refined version of pomegranate seed and prickly pear seed will not be as powerful as the true, unrefined ingredients.
The Bottom Line
When you listen to your ingredients you are more likely to spend more time being pleased with your products and your skin, and less time feeling frustrated, disappointed, and out of money.
Consistency is key; however, consistency only works if you're routinely using the right products on your skin the right way.
For more information, check out the following blogs:
What Are Antioxidants? Benefits for Skin & Why Botanical Oils Win – Dollhouse Botanicals
What Is Cold Pressed Oil and Why Your Skin Loves It – Dollhouse Botanicals
Your Ultimate Guide to Achieving a Lasting Glow – Dollhouse Botanicals
Finding Motivation for Skincare-Tips – Dollhouse Botanicals