Let’s be real: skincare labels can feel like reading a foreign language.

You pick up a face cream that claims to be “natural,” “clean,” or “green,” only to flip the bottle over and find an ingredient list longer than a drugstore receipt—and half of it sounds like something you’d use to clean your oven. So how are you supposed to know what’s actually good for your skin… and what’s just smart marketing?

Here’s the truth: the beauty industry is loosely regulated when it comes to words like “natural,” “non-toxic,” or even “organic.” That means any brand can slap those labels on a bottle—even if it’s packed with synthetic fillers, harsh preservatives, or artificial fragrance. It’s called greenwashing, and it’s everywhere.

But don’t worry. Once you know what to look for, reading skincare labels gets a whole lot easier.

1. Don’t Be Fooled by the Front of the Label

Let’s start with the obvious: the front of the label is marketing. It’s designed to catch your eye and sell you a feeling—glowing skin, youthful bounce, or that fresh-from-the-forest vibe.

Words like:

• Natural

• Clean

• Green

• Pure

• Hypoallergenic

• Dermatologist recommended

…might sound good, but they’re not regulated. That means they can be used without any legal definition backing them up.

What to do instead: Flip the bottle around and look at the ingredient list. That’s where the real story is told.

2. Read the Ingredient List Like a Pro

In the U.S., ingredients must be listed from highest to lowest concentration (except for anything under 1%, which can be listed in any order at the end). Here’s how to break it down:

• First 3-5 ingredients: This is the bulk of your product. If a brand says a product is made with rosewater or jojoba oil, but those ingredients are nowhere near the top, it’s likely not a main component.

• Botanical names: Look for Latin names or (INCI names) like Calendula Officinalis (calendula) or Camellia Sinensis (green tea). Real natural brands usually list both the common and scientific names.

• Avoid mystery ingredients: “Fragrance” or “parfum” can legally hide hundreds of chemicals. If a scent isn’t clearly labeled as an essential oil or extract, skip it.

• Watch for sneaky synthetics: Words like “PEG,” “phenoxyethanol,” “dimethicone,” or anything ending in “-paraben” are red flags in a supposedly “natural” product. Also, formaldehyde (a known human carcinogen and allergen) isn’t always listed outright on skincare labels. Instead, it’s often released slowly over time from certain preservatives. These are known as formaldehyde-releasing agents, and unfortunately, many people don’t realize they’re in their products.

  Here’s a list of common ingredients that are often used in skincare and cosmetics and can release formaldehyde:

  🚫 Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives to Watch For:

  1. DMDM Hydantoin

  2. Imidazolidinyl Urea

  3. Diazolidinyl Urea

  4. Quaternium-15

  5. Bronopol (2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol)

  6. 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane

  7. Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate

  8. Methenamine

  9. Glyoxal

  10. Polyoxymethylene Urea

  Why It Matters:

  These ingredients may release small amounts of formaldehyde over time, especially in warm, moist environments (like your bathroom). For people with sensitive skin, eczema, or allergies, this can lead to irritation or flare-ups—and for long-term health, it’s just not something you want in your self-care routine.

3. Check for Certifications—But Don’t Rely on Them Alone

You might see badges like USDA Organic, COSMOS, or Ecocert. These are good signs that a product has been vetted by a third party. But here’s the catch—certifications are expensive. Many small, truly clean brands can’t afford them. We formulate and manufacture our products to COSMOS standards, but unfortunately the process of having our products independently tested and then the royalty fees involved in using the COSMOS certification are just price prohibited for us at this time.

Look for transparency instead. Does the brand clearly explain how they source their ingredients? Do they avoid greenwashing buzzwords and instead focus on what’s not in their products (like synthetic dyes, SLS, or petroleum)? Do they tell you what each ingredient actually does for your skin?

That’s usually a better indicator of trustworthiness than a fancy logo.

4. Spot the “Token Natural” Trick

Here’s a sneaky one: a brand may add a drop of aloe vera or green tea and call the whole formula “botanical” or “plant-based.” But if it’s followed by a long list of synthetics, you’ve got yourself a “token natural” situation. That is considered Greenwashing.

The trick: Look for formulas where multiple recognizable ingredients appear in the top half of the list—think oils, butters, floral waters, or herbal infusions.

If it’s 95% filler and 5% token botanical, it’s not natural skincare. It’s marketing. Luckily there are apps that can help you today! One of our favorites is Yuka. Yuka deciphers product labels and analyzes the impact of food and cosmetic products. Their technology isn’t perfect, but it will give you a pretty accurate idea on how healthy a product is for you. Another App we love is the EWG Healthy Living App. It’s a free app that not only rates the products you use and eat, but explains in great detail if and why a product is harmful. It’s a VERY robust app!

5. Ask: Does the Brand Feel Human or Corporate?

This one’s a bit more intuitive. When you visit a skincare brand’s website or pick up their packaging, does it feel like real people made it? Do they share their sourcing, show behind-the-scenes, or offer education?

Or is it vague and flashy with no real information?

Natural skincare brands are usually proud of their ingredients—because they’re using the good stuff. If it’s hard to find out what’s inside, they might be hiding something.

Bonus: A Few Ingredients We Love (and Use at Simple Body)

Because we believe you deserve transparency, here are just a few of the real, raw, and recognizable ingredients we use every day:

• Chamomile floral water – gently soothes irritation

• Calendula oil – supports healing and calm skin

• Shea butter and kokum butter – rich emollients that lock in moisture

• Bakuchiol – a gentle, plant-based alternative to retinol

• Green tea extract – powerful antioxidant support

No synthetic fragrance. No petroleum. No fillers. Ever.

Final Thoughts: Reading Labels = Self-Care

It can feel overwhelming at first, but learning to read skincare labels is one of the most empowering things you can do for your skin—and your health. You deserve to know what you’re putting on your body. And with a little practice, you’ll start spotting the fakes a mile away. At a minimum, check out the apps I talked about. They are super easy to use and can help save you a lot of time! That way you don’t have to be a cosmetic chemist! Leave that to me!

Want help deciphering a label? We offer free skincare consultations (in-store or virtual). Bring your current routine, and we’ll help you sort the hype from the helpful.

xoxo
Jewels