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How to choose cosmetics that are safe for the whole family
multi-purpose
Are there universal cosmetics? Yes, you could say so. Their universality lies in everyone using a product designed for the most sensitive member of the family. This could be a cleansing liquid for babies, if there’s a little one in the household. Everyone can use this gel or cream—no one will be harmed. Products intended for the youngest are specially formulated, and if they meet the standards for use from the first day of life, they are also suitable for adults.
ingredients
When choosing a cosmetic product, it’s worth taking a look at the ingredients list. How should you read it? In cosmetics, ingredients are always listed starting with the one present in the highest amount. In most cleansing products, shampoos, and shower gels, this is water (Aqua). However, there are some products where the first ingredient is olive oil (Olea Europaea Fruit Oil) or sunflower seed oil (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil). It’s worth paying attention to this, as the ingredients listed first have the greatest impact on the product’s properties.
performance
Daily hygiene is one of our civilizational privileges. There are still places in the world where access to clean water is limited, let alone basic hygiene products. We have the ability to choose and access to the latest, most advanced ingredients. It’s no longer just bar soap or shower gel—we now have modern formulations where hygiene goes hand in hand with skincare.
Looking at the ingredients, as I mentioned earlier, it’s worth choosing products based on gentle cleansing agents such as glucosides(Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Coco Glucoside) or betaines (Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco Betaine).
And they are usually high up on the ingredients list if the product’s primary function is cleansing.
If, on the other hand, we are looking for a skincare product, we should pay attention to the position of the conditioning ingredients in the list. By law, the ingredients list (Ingredients, INCI) must be written in English or Latin. Latin is used for the names of plant-based ingredients, extracts, oils, and powders, while English is used for most chemical compounds, synthetic substances, and vitamins. If a colorant is present, it is обозначed with a CI number. Water is always listed as Aqua.
Reading ingredient lists is not easy if you are not familiar with Latin or English, which is why I encourage using apps such as Yuka or Lupa Kosmetyczna to scan product ingredients. This does not mean you should strictly follow their recommendations, but the ingredients are usually translated and explained, which helps you better understand and assess the overall function of a cosmetic product.
markings
Manufacturers are required to place certain labels on packaging. These include, for example, the ingredient lists I mentioned earlier, but also mandatory labeling of the type of packaging—whether it is plastic, paper, or another material.
What about the expiration date? This is mandatory for products with a shelf life shorter than 30 months. In such cases, the date must be clearly indicated, as you can see, for example, on our wet wipes. They are a registered cosmetic product.
However, if a product has been tested and its shelf life is known to exceed 30 months, the manufacturer is not required to indicate a specific expiration date. That is the law. In such cases, you should look for the PAO symbol on the packaging—the open jar icon. Next to this symbol, there is information showing how many months the product can be used after opening. After this period, the opened cosmetic should be discarded.
However, it is still recommended to check cosmetics organoleptically, in the same way as food.
packaging.
Buying a large bottle for a bigger family is simply economical. That’s why we recommend larger packaging, especially refills, which not only last longer but are also more eco-friendly. Very often, these refills come in packaging that can be easily recycled. They are also often beautifully designed, so I additionally encourage you to keep such a container in your shower :)
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