Decoding Ingredient Lists: A Guide to Understanding Beauty Products

Ingredient lists are often one of the most misunderstood aspects of beauty products for consumers. This guide will break down how to analyze products based on their ingredient makeup, helping you better understand what a product offers compared to others.

Understanding Ingredient Concentration 

The concentration of ingredients is the first factor to consider. Some companies openly disclose the concentration of active ingredients in their products, while others keep this information proprietary. Beauty products often contain a long list of molecules and compounds, but many of these serve as stabilizers or texture-enhancing agents rather than active ingredients.

For example, humectants like glycerin, propanediol, and pentylene glycol are commonly included to help bind the formulation together. In oil-free products, the first few ingredients are typically water, followed by a humectant.

The FDA requires that ingredients be listed in descending order of concentration, except for those present at 1% or less, which can appear in any order. This makes it challenging to determine the exact concentration of active ingredients in products. For instance, if a serum claims to contain multiple peptides and vitamins, but these actives appear after humectants like glycerin or surfactants like polysorbate, they are likely present in concentrations of less than 1%.

Many companies include a plethora of actives to make their products appear robust. However, the concentration of these actives is often so low that the product ends up functioning as little more than a humectant, with minimal or no benefits from the claimed actives.

Molecular Compatibility: A Key to Efficacy

 Another critical consideration is the compatibility of ingredients. For example, peptides, which are sensitive to factors like pH, hydrolysis, and oxidation, can degrade and lose their effectiveness if not formulated correctly. Moreover, many peptides used in the industry are too large to penetrate the epidermis effectively. This means they may have no measurable impact in vivo (on living skin) despite promising in vitro (lab-based) results.

Similarly, biologically derived components like stem cells and exosomes are gaining popularity but often come with exaggerated claims. True stem cells must be cryogenically preserved at extremely low temperatures to remain viable. In cosmetic formulations at room temperature, these cells—and exosomes—cannot survive, rendering such claims misleading.

What to Look For in a Product

 To ensure the product you choose delivers on its promises, it's important to evaluate the stability and functionality of its ingredients. Products that prioritize transparency, data-driven science, and purposeful formulation are more likely to deliver real results.

At Neuvian, we are committed to using molecules that are both stable and functional, ensuring every ingredient in our formulations serves a specific purpose. Backed by unbiased scientific data, we aim to provide rewarding experiences for our customers—never cutting corners or compromising on quality.