How to read labels of beauty products, according to experts

When buying skincare, makeup, haircare, and body care products, the first thing consumers look for is the expiration date. You want to maximize the use of the product before it expires, after all.

Dr. Jarische Lao-Ang, a dermatologist and health content creator, told GMA News Online that it's necessary to check the expiration date to know if the amount of product will be enough or too much to consume within its prescribed shelf life.

Lao-Ang emphasized using expired products can potentially cause skin irritation or allergic reactions, leading to a compromised skin barrier.

"In expired products, the preservative used won't be able to function in preventing the risk of microbial contamination of the product," she said.

"Also, ingredients in expired products won't be able to deliver their usual uses," she added.

You can find the expiration date of beauty products printed or embossed at the bottom, the side, or the back of the packaging.

Meanwhile board-certified dermatologist Dr. Maria Elinor Grace Sison, adds it is equally important to make sure that the packaging is not tampered with to ensure it is not contaminated with any substance other than what is included in the ingredients list, so it's best to buy goods that are packaged well and sealed.

But there are more things to check out in a label of a beauty product. 

The order of ingredients

The ingredients in a product are listed in descending order from highest to lowest concentration. So if water is the first listed ingredient, it follows the product has a lot of water in it. 

Note however that those with a concentration less than or equal to 1% are listed in any order.

"Best before"

A beauty product's "best before" label means that it's most effective when used before the indicated date. 

How is it different from expiry date? Registered pharmacist Vincenzo Angelo C.Albano, Rph. MD says expiry date pertains to the date when a product is no longer useful because "it loses its strength, efficacy, benefits and use after the indicated expiry date."

"A product is still somewhat useful even after the best before date. Products are no longer useful after the expiry date," he explains. 

An article from the American Academy of Dermatology provides a general estimate for when to throw away your makeup: 3 months for eyeliners and mascara, 6 months for BB creams, blush creams, liquid eye shadows, lip gloss, lip balm, and lip plumpers.

Six to 9 months for powder eye shadows, 1 year for concealer and liquid foundation, 2 years for brow powder, lip liner, and lipsticks, 2-3 years for eyeliner pencils that are periodically sharpened, as well as powders. 

LOT

The LOT number refers to a sequence of numbers or letters assigned to a product by the manufacturer.

According to Sison, the LOT number "is used to identify a specific batch of products manufactured under the same conditions" in the off chance that items need to be recalled.  

Open jar symbol

The open jar symbol in a product refers to how long the product can be used after opening.

For instance, if the PAO (period after opening) is 6M, then you can only use the product for six months.

Ingredients to watch out for in beauty products

According to Dr. Lao-Ang, ingredients to avoid differ from one person to another, depending on the needs and condition of their skin.

"People with known sensitivity or allergies to certain ingredients must properly read the ingredient label," she said.

Dr. Sison added it's advisable for those with sensitive skin to patch-test the skincare product before using it on the face and the body.

A patch test is a method used to determine if a specific substance causes allergic inflammation on one's skin. It involves applying small amounts of allergens in patches to the skin and observing for reaction over some time.

Dr. Sison also advised avoiding products with heavy metals like mercury and lead, as they can be hazardous to your health.

When in doubt, it's best to consult with your doctor before purchasing a product you're unfamiliar with. 

— LA, GMA Integrated News