labels – the complicated side of beauty products

Which is the complicated side of a cosmetic product? Most of us, upon first glance at the label of a cosmetic product package, feel like we are dealing with a …NASA archive. In fact, there is no need to panic, nor to understand everything that is written!

European regulation obliges cosmetic companies to include certain information on product packaging. This is very important for the safety and information of the consumer.

Let’s have a look at six information that should definitely be listed, either on the label of our product or on the packaging box:

1) There should be contact information with the company (website and / or address, telephone).

2) The list of ingredients shall be established in descending order of weight. All the ingredients appear under their common names set out in the Glossary of common ingredients names.

3) Cosmetics that have a shelf life of less than 30 months are required to list the expiration date. Our KALYKA cosmetics DO NOT list an expiration date because they have successfully passed all the corresponding Challenge tests. This does not mean, of course, that if we do not see an expiration date, our cosmetic will remain unchanged for an unlimited time. We will consume it without fear within a reasonable period, indicated by “The date of durability after opening” (the symbol with the open jar).

Note: Even if we have not exceeded the expiration date, if we notice some strange signs in our cosmetic (bad smell, lumps on the surface) then the best thing to do is to throw it away. This usually happens due to misuse of the product, for example, we may not have closed the cap properly and stored it in a place where there was excessive humidity, or it may have been exposed to excessively high temperatures (40 oC) for a long time.

4) the nominal content. This is for us as well! The volume of a package can mislead us. However, if we read all the information, we are given the opportunity to compare products of the same type and judge which one has the best value for money. Don’t be fooled by the compact packaging of KALYKA cosmetics! They have been designed to be easily transported, but believe us, they will last you a long time!

5) If we have to use a product in a specific way, there will necessarily be some instruction or warning. For example, there are products that when we apply them we should not expose our body to the sun for a certain time, or combinations of products that will give us the maximum benefit if we apply them in a specific order. For example, our own Gardenia & Jasmin facial creams are 24-hour, which is also stated on their box.

6) The tests that have been carried out. All KALYKA cosmetics have been dermatologically tested. Even more, the Helios serum has been dermatologically tested specifically for the sensitive skin. For this reason, it is stated on its packaging.

Attention!! There is another useful information that has nothing to do with the packaging but equally important: The product description!! Due to the many advertisements we have become accustomed to cosmetics in a specific form. For example, face creams with white color and a smooth appearance. This is not always the case!

Each cosmetic, depending on its composition and the technique with which it has been made, has acquired a specific form. For example, Gardenia facial cream is not white, but pink! This is due to the generous amount of Dragon’s Blood it contains, which naturally colors the final product. So keep in mind that if you see our Gardenia white, it is probably not our KALYKA Gardenia.

“And how do I know what to look out for in all these ingredients?” A very logical question.

First of all, we can search for anything on the internet – but be careful, only from reliable sources! There is an excellent mobile application called COSMILE. Very simply, you scan the label of a cosmetic and it immediately shows you what is what!

Even more simply, what we can definitely do is get to know our body a little better: If we know that a certain material is good to avoid – or if we like a certain material – then our job becomes easier. We learn how to recognize it, how to look for it on the label and in which products we are likely to encounter it. Again, a documented source or an expert can help a lot in this search.

With attention and a little searching, our life immediately becomes more beautiful.