How to Read a Skincare Label: Clean Beauty Ingredients to Look For

Navigating skincare labels can be overwhelming, especially when faced with long, scientific ingredient names. Understanding what goes into your beauty products is crucial for making informed, clean beauty choices. In this guide, we’ll break down how to read skincare labels, ingredients to look for, and what to avoid.

UNDERSTANDING INCI NAMES

Every skincare product is required to list its ingredients using INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) names. These standardized names may look unfamiliar but are simply the scientific terms for common ingredients. For example:

Shea Butter is listed as Butyrospermum Parkii Butter.
Coconut Oil appears as Cocos Nucifera Oil.
Rosehip Oil is labeled Rosa Canina Fruit Oil.

When scanning a product label, don’t be intimidated by complex names—learning a few key terms will help you decode them more easily.

THE TRUTH ABOUT FRAGRANCE IN SKINCARE

One of the most misleading terms on skincare labels is "Fragrance" or "Parfum." Many consumers assume it refers to natural botanical extracts, but in reality, 99% of fragrances in cosmetics are petroleum-derived chemicals. Due to trade secret laws, companies aren’t required to disclose fragrance components, which can include phthalates, synthetic musks, and allergens linked to hormone disruption.

At Solomé Beauty, we do NOT use synthetic or petroleum-derived fragrances. Instead, we only formulate with pure plant and flower essences, ensuring a truly clean and non-toxic experience.

Above: SOLOMÉ BEAUTY FLOWER ESSENCE NATURAL PERFUME – A delicate, botanical natural perfume made using only pure plant and flower-derived essences.

MINERAL OIL IS NOT A MINERAL!

Mineral oil, a common ingredient in skincare, baby oil, makeup removers, and moisturizers, is actually a petroleum-derived chemical—not a natural mineral. Despite its name, it contains no beneficial minerals—it is a byproduct of petroleum refining. Studies have linked mineral oil to skin barrier disruption and potential health concerns.

WHAT WE USE INSTEAD:

We formulate with pure, organic, plant-derived botanical oils that are cold-pressed to retain their full nutrient profile. These oils are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids that nourish the skin naturally.

Above: SOLOMÉ BEAUTY CALENDULA FLOWER HAIR & BODY OIL, made with organic cold-pressed oils that condition the hair and skin.

ZINC OXIDE: A GOOD MINERAL WE LOVE

While we avoid mineral oil, not all minerals are harmful. Zinc Oxide is a naturally occurring mineral that provides broad-spectrum UV protection in sunscreens and tinted moisturizers. However, not all zinc oxide is created equal.

At Solomé Beauty, we use only non-nano zinc oxide, which is safer and does not penetrate the skin barrier. It offers superior sun protection while remaining environmentally friendly. You’ll find it in our Mineral Tinted Moisturizer, providing both skincare benefits and a natural, radiant finish.

Above: SOLOMÉ BEAUTY MINERAL TINTED MOISTURIZER

HOW TO RESEARCH INGREDIENTS: THE EWG COSMETICS DATABASE

For those looking to dive deeper into ingredient safety, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep Database is an excellent resource. This database scores cosmetic ingredients based on their potential toxicity, taking factors like:

Endocrine disruption (hormone interference)
Carcinogenicity (cancer risk)
Allergic reactions and skin irritation

At Solomé Beauty, we carefully select ingredients that pose low toxicity risks based on the EWG ingredient scores, and we and prioritize transparency in our formulations.

FINAL TIPS FOR CHOOSING CLEAN BEAUTY PRODUCTS

LOOK FOR FULL INGREDIENT LISTS – Brands committed to transparency will list every ingredient.
AVOID "FRAGRANCE" OR "PARFUM" – Unless a brand explicitly states their fragrance is from natural sources, assume it contains synthetic chemicals.
RESEARCH INGREDIENTS ON EWG.ORG – Familiarize yourself with high-risk ingredients to make safer choices.
OPT FOR COLD-PRESSED OILS – These retain more nutrients compared to refined oils.
CHECK FOR NON-NANO ZINC OXIDE IN SUNSCREENS – For the safest and most effective sun protection.

By learning to read skincare labels, you empower yourself to choose products that align with your values and health priorities. At Solomé Beauty, we are committed to providing pure, botanical-based formulations with complete ingredient transparency.

LOOKING FOR TRULY CLEAN BEAUTY?

Explore our 100% plant-based, non-toxic skincare and makeup at Solomé Beauty.