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What do labels on a bottle really tell us and are we giving them due attention? Ms May Cheah, Senior Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy, Singapore General Hospital (SGH ), tells us why and what those rows of words are there for.
 Name of product
Serves as the product’s identity.
Name and address of local manufacturer or importer
Useful should there be any product enquiries.
Batch reference
Makes it easier for the relevant authorities to withdraw or recall particular batches of the product if required, for example, in the event of a defective product or inappropriate content.
Precautions
May include instructions such as: For external use only; Keep out of reach of small children; Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes; If irritation develops, discontinue use.
Storage
Most creams and lotions should be stored in cool, dry places. In hot, humid Singapore, you may think of putting your toiletries in the fridge, but there is a risk of the cream or lotion crystallising. Serums containing chemicals such as vitamin C should be stored in the fridge between 2ºC and 8ºC.
Directions for use
Tells you how and when to use the product, how often it should be used, how much to apply and which part of the body to use it on. Inappropriate or excessive use can lead to skin irritation or allergy. Using a night cream in the day, for instance, exposes the product to the sun which can cause skin reactions. Night creams are usually more oily, and if used during the day when it’s hotter, might cause skin breakouts.
Symbols and logos
 Known as the universal recycling symbol. Tells you that the packaging components are recyclable.
 Indicates the period of time over which the product should be used after opening.
 Implies that additional information about the product is available elsewhere like in a leaflet, card or tag.
List of ingredients
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Helps you avoid ingredients you’re allergic to, like lanolin or paraben, or those that you might have a personal or religious conviction against, such as animal oils.
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Ingredients may be listed by their chemical or botanical names. For instance, tocopherol acetate is the chemical name for vitamin E, while chamomilla recuitia matricaria is camomile and pyrus malus refers to apple.
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Ingredients are listed in descending order of amount in the product. In lotions, for example, water or aqua is listed first, indicating there is more water (by percentage) than other ingredients in the product.
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Glycerin, jojoba oil, shea butter, propylene glycol and sorbitol are some of the more common oils, waxes and emollients used in skincare products, while zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are used as whiteners or sunblock.
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Sodium citrate or citric acid is commonly added to adjust the pH (acidity and alkalinity) of the product, and stabilisers such as xanthan gum are used to ensure the product has the desired consistency.
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The amount of the active ingredient is usually low, like alpha hydroxyl acids (AHA) in anti-ageing products or a herbal extract in a herbal preparation. This means that the risk of developing an allergic reaction to such substances is usually low.
Some chemicals, though necessary additions, may cause irritation or allergy. These include:
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Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), a foaming agent that is found in cleansers, shampoos, bubble baths and toothpaste. It has a drying effect and therefore should be avoided if you have eczema or psoriasis. As an alternative, you can use products containing cocos nucifera (coconut extract).
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Fragrance and colourings (usually labelled as CI followed by a five digit number) are notorious allergens. Avoid products containing these ingredients if you have allergic contact dermatitis. Acids may dry out the skin. A pH-balanced product is more suitable for sensitive skin.
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Preservatives, for example, paraben (methylparaben, propylparaben) might cause irritation to those allergic to it.
Products containing natural ingredients are less irritating to the skin, but tend to be pricier. The choice is ultimately still yours, as cheaper substitutes, for example, mild products (pH-balanced, fragrance-free, colour-free) can work just as well.
 The right skincare sequence
Something that is not often found on labels is the sequence in which skincare products should be used. Ms May Cheah, Senior Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy, SGH , advises starting your routine with a cleanser. Once a week, this may be followed by a mask or scrub to exfoliate dead skin. Then, apply toner to restore the pH balance and remove residue from the cleanser.
Prescription creams should be applied at this point, as the skin will be more receptive to absorbing the product. Beauty serums and eye creams can be applied after this, followed by a moisturiser to lock in the active ingredients. Finally, protect your skin from damaging UV light with a sunscreen or sunblock. |
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