Why I Started Reading Every Skincare Label

My Journey Into Clean Ingredients

My clean beauty journey started after watching the documentary Not So Pretty. Like many people, I had spent years purchasing skincare, makeup, shampoo, body wash, candles, and fragrances without ever looking at the ingredient label. If a product smelled good, looked pretty, and promised great results, I assumed it was safe.

After watching the documentary, I found myself standing in stores, flipping bottles over, reading ingredients for the first time, and scanning barcodes with my Yuka app.

One ingredient kept appearing over and over again:

Fragrance. Parfum.

At first, it seemed harmless. After all, who doesn't want products that smell good?

Then I learned that the single word "fragrance" can legally represent dozens, or even hundreds, of undisclosed chemicals in a product.

Under U.S. cosmetic regulations, companies can list fragrance ingredients simply as "fragrance" or "parfum" because fragrance formulas are considered trade secrets (FDA, n.d.).

That realization changed everything for me.

The Fragrance Loophole

One of the most surprising things I learned is that companies are not generally required to disclose every chemical contained within a fragrance blend in the United States. The reasoning is understandable: brands spend significant money creating signature scents and want to protect proprietary formulas from competitors.

However, this trade-secret protection creates a major transparency issue.

Consumers may think they're reading a complete ingredient list when they're not. A fragrance blend may contain various solvents, preservatives, fixatives, fragrance allergens, and other compounds that do not appear individually on the label (FDA, n.d.).

This doesn't automatically mean every fragrance ingredient is dangerous. But it does mean consumers often have limited information when trying to identify potential triggers for irritation, allergies, headaches, or sensitivities.

What Are Fragrance Ingredients Actually Made Of?

Many fragrance compounds are synthesized from petroleum-derived chemicals. In the fragrance industry, certain petrochemical ingredients help stabilize scents, improve performance, and extend the longevity of a fragrance on the skin.

Yes, you read that right. PETROLEUM. Basically, the gas you are putting in your car is rubbing on your skin, so the scent will last longer!!

This is where concerns begin for many clean beauty advocates.

Some fragrance formulas have historically included compounds such as phthalates, synthetic musks, and other ingredients that have faced scrutiny for potential endocrine disruption, bioaccumulation, or allergic reactions.

While regulations continue to evolve, many consumers prefer to avoid unnecessary exposure to fragrance altogether, especially in products applied directly to the skin every day.

For individuals with sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea, acne, or contact dermatitis, fragrance is one of the most common cosmetic irritants identified by dermatologists and regulatory agencies (FDA, n.d.).

Why Fragrance Matters for Sensitive Skin

As an esthetician, I often remind clients that fragrance does not improve skin health.

A moisturizer works because of its humectants, emollients, and barrier-supporting ingredients.

A serum works because of its active ingredients.

A cleanser works because of its surfactants and formulation.

The fragrance simply makes the experience smell pleasant.

Unfortunately, fragrance is also one of the most common causes of cosmetic-related allergic reactions and skin sensitivities. The FDA identifies fragrance ingredients as a leading source of cosmetic allergies and contact dermatitis (FDA, n.d.).

For many people, removing fragrance is one of the simplest changes they can make to support a healthier skin barrier.

The Difference Between Europe and the United States

Another eye-opening discovery for me was how differently cosmetic ingredients are regulated around the world.

The European Union takes a precautionary approach to cosmetic safety. According to the European Cosmetics Regulation, the EU has banned or restricted approximately 1,600 cosmetic ingredients due to safety concerns.

By comparison, the United States has historically prohibited only a small number of cosmetic ingredients at the federal level, although recent legislation under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) has begun to strengthen oversight (Vogue, 2023).

This doesn't necessarily mean every ingredient allowed in the U.S. is harmful. However, it does illustrate a significant philosophical difference:

Europe often requires stronger evidence of safety before ingredients remain on the market.

The United States often takes action after safety concerns emerge.

As consumers, that information alone is enough to make me pay closer attention to what I put on my skin.

Ingredients I Personally Choose to Avoid

Everyone's comfort level is different, but these are some ingredients I generally try to avoid whenever possible:

Fragrance / Parfum

The broadest ingredient category and often the least transparent.

Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives

Examples include:

• DMDM Hydantoin

• Quaternium-15

• Diazolidinyl Urea

• Imidazolidinyl Urea

Coal Tar

Historically used in some hair and scalp products.

PFAS ("Forever Chemicals")

Sometimes found in long-wear cosmetics and waterproof products.

Oxybenzone

A controversial chemical sunscreen filter that has faced increasing scrutiny.

Phthalates

Used in some fragrance formulations to improve scent longevity.

Synthetic Musks

Persistent fragrance compounds that may accumulate in the environment.

Remember: "natural" does not automatically mean safe, and "synthetic" does not automatically mean harmful. The goal is informed decision-making rather than fear.

Brands I Love That Prioritize Ingredient Transparency

While no brand is perfect, I appreciate companies that prioritize ingredient disclosure, thoughtful formulation, and skin health.

Some of my favorites include:

• Naturopathica

• Eminence Organic Skin Care

• FarmHouse Fresh

• Pai Skincare

• Lesse

• Ursa Major

• Typology

• SkinScript

Korean Skin Care Brands**

• Hyeja

• Purito

• Round Lab

• Anua

• COSRX

  
  

These brands generally focus on ingredient transparency and avoid many of the controversial ingredients that concern clean beauty consumers.

The Less Is More Approach

One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that you don't need a 12-step skincare routine.

In fact, many people improve their skin simply by reducing unnecessary products.

Some simple first steps:

• Read ingredient labels.

• Choose fragrance-free products when possible.

• Support local farmers' markets and small-batch makers.

• Simplify your routine.

• Focus on barrier health before chasing trends.

• Patch test new products.

Sometimes the healthiest skincare routine is the simplest one.

Final Thoughts

Watching Not So Pretty didn't make me afraid of every ingredient. It made me curious.

It taught me that as consumers, we deserve transparency. We deserve to know what we're putting on our skin every day. And we deserve the ability to make informed decisions based on complete information.

Today, I still enjoy skincare, beauty products, and self-care rituals. The difference is that now I read labels first and try to learn everything about the ingredients I am using and how they will affect me.

Because when it comes to your skin (the largest organ in your body), knowledge is one of the most powerful ingredients of all!

Read More

---

References

FDA. (n.d.). Allergens in cosmetics. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/allergens-cosmetics

FDA. (n.d.). Fragrances in cosmetics. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/fragrances-cosmetics

Vogue. (2023). The U.S. beauty industry is largely unregulated. Is that starting to change? https://www.vogue.com/article/the-us-beauty-industry-is-largely-unregulated-is-that-starting-to-change

Not So Pretty. (2022). HBO Max documentary series.