Ingredient lists are written for regulators, not for you. With a few rules, though, they become surprisingly easy to read.
Order tells you almost everything
Ingredients are listed by concentration down to one percent; below that, they can appear in any order. If the hero ingredient sits after the fragrance, there is very little of it.
Five words worth finding
Ceramides — the mortar of your skin barrier.
Niacinamide — calming, brightening and well tolerated.
Glycerin — humble, effective hydration.
Squalane — a light oil that rarely clogs.
Zinc oxide — gentle, broad-spectrum sun protection.
A short list is not automatically a good list, but a long one should earn its length.
Patch test, always
Apply a small amount behind the ear for three evenings before using anything new on your face. It is unglamorous advice that saves a lot of red mornings.
Written by
Juneta Vale
Juneta trained in Copenhagen and Seoul before opening the atelier in 2016. She writes about skin barriers, slow routines and why less usually works.
