![\"IngredientListing\"](\"https:\/\/feelgoodstyle.com\/files\/2013\/04\/IngredientListing-600x450.jpg\")
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We\u2019ve talked about which cosmetic ingredients are important to avoid<\/a>, but what about reading product ingredient listings?\u00a0 This can be quite confusing itself.<\/p>\n To determine whether or not a beauty or personal care product is safe, you need to know what\u2019s in it.\u00a0 So\u2026you need to learn how to read product labels.<\/p>\n In the US, cosmetic labeling can be very difficult decipher.\u00a0 A manufacturer of less-than-pure products often makes their product ingredient listings difficult to read just to take the consumer\u2019s attention off of all the junky ingredients they use.<\/p>\n Cosmetics and personal care products list ingredients in order of concentration, from greatest to least.\u00a0 The first ingredient on the listing makes up the majority of the product, and so on.\u00a0 So flip that product over and let\u2019s get started.<\/p>\n First, ignore what\u2019s on the front and skip straight to the back<\/strong>.\u00a0 Where ingredients are concerned, the back is where you will find exactly what is in the product.\u00a0 Terms like \u201cnatural\u201d, \u201cpure\u201d and \u201cparaben-free\u201d do not tell the story.<\/p>\n Next, scan for harmful ingredients<\/strong>.\u00a0 Use our Cosmetic Ingredient Cheat Sheet <\/a>to make this step easier.\u00a0 This may seem time consuming at first, but a little practice will have you toxic ingredient savvy in no time.<\/p>\n In a time crunch check the first 5 and the last 5 ingredients<\/strong> on the ingredient listing.\u00a0 The first 5 ingredients make up the majority of the product, the last are usually fragrance and preservatives.\u00a0 If these look good, you are most likely ok to buy the product.<\/p>\n If you are searching for organic ingredients, these are usually marked with an asterisk.\u00a0 Remember, the mere presence of some organic ingredients does not render a product safe<\/strong>.\u00a0 It also has to be free from harmful ingredients.\u00a0 Organic standards for cosmetics are the same as for foods<\/a>:\u00a0 100% Organic means a product contains only organically produced ingredients, Certified Organic means the product is made of at least 95% organically produced ingredients, Made with Organic Ingredients means the product contains at least 70% organically produced ingredients.\u00a0 That remaining percentage is left up to the manufacturer.<\/p>\n Having trouble finding an ingredient listing for a product you are considering for purchase?\u00a0 This is a good reason to leave the product behind.\u00a0 No obvious ingredient listing and I suggest you don\u2019t bother buying the product.<\/strong><\/p>\n Take these tips along with you while you shop to ensure you are purchasing nontoxic products.\u00a0 Have questions?\u00a0 We’d love to answer them!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Use these tips to read cosmetic product ingredient listings like a pro:<\/h3>\n