How to read the ingredient list on a cosmetic product label ? Check What You Buy ! Choose Cosmetics Wisely with InfoCons !
How to read the ingredient list on a cosmetic product label ? Check What You Buy ! Choose Cosmetics Wisely with InfoCons !
As part of the campaign “Check What You Buy! Choose Cosmetics Wisely!”, InfoCons works to inform and educate consumers about the risks associated with the use of non-compliant cosmetic products, by promoting accurate, science-based information supported by the expertise of specialists in the field of health.
The label is the first tool through which consumers can find out what a cosmetic product contains. Knowing how to read it correctly is essential for making informed choices.
The ingredient list (INCI)
According to Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, every cosmetic product must display the full list of ingredients using INCI names – a common nomenclature, in English or Latin, identical throughout the European Union. Ingredients are listed in descending order of quantity: those first on the list are present in the greatest proportion. Ingredients below 1% may be listed in any order after those present in larger amounts, and colourants may appear at the end, indicated by “CI” followed by a number.
Fragrance allergens – an expanded list
Certain fragrance substances that can cause allergies must be declared individually on the label when they exceed certain thresholds: 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products. Through Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, adopted in July 2023 on the basis of an SCCS opinion, the list of these allergens requiring individual labelling was expanded from 26 to around 80 substances (more than 50 new entries). New products must comply by 31 July 2026, and products already on the market by 31 July 2028.
Other mandatory information on the label
– The nominal quantity of the product (weight or volume).
– The date of minimum durability or the PAO symbol (the open jar with the number of months the product can be used after opening).
– The function of the product (if not clear from its presentation) and the precautions for use.
– The manufacturing batch number.
– The name and address of the responsible person, and the country of origin for imported products.
– The word “[nano]” next to ingredients present as nanomaterials.
How to read the label in practice
Check the first ingredients to see what predominates in the product, look for allergens if you are a sensitive person, follow the PAO symbol to know how long you can use the product after opening, and remember that INCI names are uniform across the EU – so you can easily compare products from different countries.
Conclusion
A correctly read label tells you almost everything you need for an informed choice. Through the campaign “Check What You Buy! Choose Cosmetics Wisely!”, InfoCons helps consumers understand what lies behind the names on the packaging.
European alerts on non-compliant products can be consulted directly in the InfoCons App.
Signed: InfoCons Consumer Protection – Communication Department