When you buy skincare, shampoo or makeup, choosing products you feel comfortable using should be straightforward. But ingredient lists can be long, and discussions about harmful substances in cosmetics can make it difficult to know what to look for.

You do not need to know every ingredient to make a more informed choice. Start by distinguishing between substances that are banned or restricted, ingredients that some people react to, and ingredients you personally prefer to avoid.

At Zeroallergy, we sell only personal care products and cosmetics certified by AllergyCertified. This guide offers practical advice on reading ingredient lists, understanding INCI and choosing cosmetics with a focus on allergy considerations.

What are harmful substances in cosmetics?

The phrase harmful substances in cosmetics is often used broadly. An ingredient is not automatically dangerous because its name sounds technical or because it is synthetically produced. Equally, natural ingredients are not automatically risk-free.

When assessing an ingredient, it is relevant to consider:

• Which substance it is.
• How much of it is in the product.
• How the product is used and how long it remains in contact with the skin.
• Whether the substance is banned or only permitted under certain conditions.
• Whether you have a known allergy or have reacted to the ingredient before.

Cosmetics legally sold in the EU must comply with shared rules on ingredients and product safety. Some substances are banned, while others may only be used at certain concentrations or in specific product types. This does not mean every product suits every person. Skin reactions and contact allergies vary from person to person.

Which cosmetic ingredients should you pay attention to?

There is no single list of ingredients that everyone should avoid. It depends on the ingredient, the product and your own needs. Here are some areas worth knowing about.

1. Perfume and fragrance

Fragrance can cause contact allergies in some people. If you want to avoid perfume, look for terms such as Parfum and Fragrance in the ingredient list.

Fragrance substances may also appear under their individual INCI names. So searching for the word Parfum does not necessarily tell the whole story. Essential oils and plant extracts can also contain naturally occurring fragrance substances.

A product that smells faint or has no noticeable smell is not necessarily fragrance-free. Check the ingredient list and the product information.

2. Preservatives

Preservatives help protect cosmetics against the growth of bacteria, yeasts and mould. This matters because a product can become contaminated during use. Preservatives are therefore not automatically undesirable.

Some preservatives can cause allergic reactions in certain people. If you have reacted to a particular preservative before, check the specific ingredient list and follow relevant healthcare advice.

3. Colourants and other ingredients

Colourants are used in makeup and hair products, among other things. Other ingredients help soften the skin, stabilise a product or create the desired texture.

You cannot determine whether an ingredient is problematic from its name or function alone. If you know you react to a specific substance, it is more useful to look for that substance than to avoid broad ingredient categories without a clear reason.

4. Banned and restricted substances in cosmetics

EU cosmetics rules include lists of substances that cannot be used in cosmetics and substances that may only be used under specific conditions. These rules can change as scientific knowledge develops.

It is therefore misleading to treat all substances discussed as potential concerns in the same way. Some are banned, others are restricted, and some are permitted but may still be relevant for people with a particular allergy or sensitivity.

Be cautious about broad claims online. An ingredient being mentioned in a discussion about unwanted chemicals does not automatically mean that every product containing it is illegal or dangerous when used normally.

How to read an INCI list on cosmetics

The ingredient list on cosmetics is often called an INCI list. INCI is the international system used to name cosmetic ingredients. The names may look different from everyday terms you recognise.

As a general rule, ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. Ingredients that make up a larger part of the product therefore often appear earlier. However, ingredients present at concentrations of 1% or less may be listed in any order after those present above 1%.

Use these steps when reading an ingredient list:

1. Find the ingredient list on the packaging or product page.
2. Check ingredients you know you need to avoid, especially if you have a known allergy.
3. Look for fragrance if you want a fragrance-free product.
4. Read the full list instead of judging a product by one ingredient name.
5. Check the information again when repurchasing, as a product’s formula may change.

Explore our selection of skincare if you are looking for products for your routine.

Is natural cosmetics better than synthetic cosmetics?

Not necessarily. Natural and synthetic describe where an ingredient comes from or how it is made. On their own, these terms do not tell you whether an ingredient is safe, allergenic or suitable for your skin.

Plants and essential oils can contain substances that some people react to. At the same time, synthetically produced ingredients can have well-understood and useful functions in a formulation.

Rather than choosing based on terms such as natural or chemical-free, it is better to consider the product’s overall composition, the manufacturer’s information and whether it has been assessed against relevant criteria.

What does AllergyCertified mean for cosmetics?

AllergyCertified is a certification in which cosmetics and personal care products are assessed against defined criteria, with a focus on reducing the risk of contact allergy. The assessment includes, among other things, the ingredients and the product’s intended use.

The certification can make it easier to choose products with a documented focus on allergy considerations. However, it does not guarantee that nobody will react to a product. No certification can account for every individual reaction.

At Zeroallergy, we sell only products certified by AllergyCertified. Explore our makeup, skincare and Ivy Aïa range.

You can also read What is AllergyCertified? to learn more about the certification.

What if you have sensitive skin or a known allergy?

If your skin reacts often, it can be tempting to replace several products at once or avoid as many ingredients as possible. This can make it harder to work out what your skin is reacting to.

Instead, try to:

• Choose products based on your specific needs.
• Check the ingredient list for substances you know you cannot tolerate.
• Introduce new products one at a time so a possible reaction is easier to identify.
• Stop using a product if you experience a clear reaction.
• Seek advice from a doctor or another relevant healthcare professional if reactions are recurring or severe.

An ingredient list can help you make a more informed choice, but it cannot provide a diagnosis. If you suspect contact allergy, a healthcare assessment may be needed.

Checklist: Choose cosmetics thoughtfully

Keep this short checklist for your next skincare or makeup purchase:

• I have found and read the ingredient list.
• I have checked the ingredients I know I need to avoid.
• I have decided whether I want to avoid fragrance.
• I assess the product as a whole rather than focusing on one ingredient name.
• I have looked for clear product information and relevant documentation.
• I check the ingredient list again when buying the product again.

Choose cosmetics with more knowledge and less uncertainty

You do not need to be a chemistry expert to choose personal care products thoughtfully. Start by understanding your own needs, read the ingredient list and question broad claims that a particular ingredient is always dangerous or always harmless.

At Zeroallergy, we have done the initial selection for you by selling only personal care products and cosmetics certified by AllergyCertified. Explore our makeup, skincare or full range.