Beyond the label: The Veracity of Ingredient Disclosure in Food and Beauty

“Trust is the foundation of any relationship,” and the foundation of this trust is nothing but transparency.

Since a very young age, I have been a very carefree and credulous guy until an incident happened, which entirely changed the way I looked at and judged things.

Being a credulous person, I had faith in the brands and the licensing agency. Hence, I freely used the skincare product without paying much heed to its ingredients. However, it is also true I never ignored the ingredient’s column labelled on the packet, as I have sensitive skin.

So, one incident took place when I bought a skin lightening cream from the market. The cream was a product of a well-known brand in the market. I read the label, and there was no ingredient that my skin was allergic to. I started using the cream, and just after a few days, what I noticed was beyond frightening. The skin lightening cream that was supposed to brighten my skin instead caused rashes, neurological problems, and almost kidney failure.

Upon the research, I found out that the cream had an ingredient that wasn’t labelled on the packet. This ingredient was none other than “mercury.” The proportion of mercury was too high in the cream, and consequently, its toxicity led to the aforementioned serious issues.

The brand that was supposed to be trustworthy was proven to be treacherous for its consumer. I had to suffer a lot, just because there was no transparency with regards to the ingredients of that skin-lightening product.

Now, I’m much more aware of the ingredients and ways to handle the treachery if any brand is attempting it.

Let’s study in detail what exactly ingredient transparency is.

What is ingredient transparency?

Simply expressed, it implies that companies should plainly and honestly identify everything that goes into their products. There are no hidden ingredients, no ambiguous statements, and absolutely no false claims. It is about providing us, as consumers, the right to know what we are putting on our skin every day.

Why is ingredient transparency important?

I have faced the consequences of intransparency of ingredients in the skincare products and I only wish that I knew its importance before.

My bad experience compelled me to research more about ingredient transparency.

Here's what I've learnt about it and why it is so important:

1. Being Aware of the Real Content of the Product

I used to think that a product branded "Aloe Vera Gel" was primarily aloe. Aloe vera, however, was near the bottom of the ingredient list, so I could hardly find any of it! Instead, it had a lot of artificial fragrance, preservatives, and fillers. I came to the realization that I could not be getting what I believe I am paying for if I don't read the label.

2. The Real Story Behind Active Ingredients

Luxurious compounds like retinol, vitamin C, or hyaluronic acid are featured in several skincare products. The catch is that not all of them disclose the true amount they use. I previously purchased a "retinol cream" that had only 0.01% retinol.

It makes sense why it accomplished nothing! Conversely, it might be detrimental to use large concentrations of specific active ingredients without understanding (believe me, I learnt it the hard way with glycolic acid).

3. Steer clear of hidden allergens and irritants

I must exercise caution when using products on my sensitive skin. Skincare brands, however, may be cunning. In some "fragrance-free" goods, fragrance molecules are still present; they are simply referred to as "parfum" or "masking agents." I also discovered that a lot of lotions with the term "gentle" nonetheless include irritating ingredients like formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, parabens, or sulfates.

4. Considerations for Ethics and the Environment

In addition to my skin, I began considering the origins of my items. Do they not engage in cruelty? Are their materials supplied sustainably? Some companies utilize dangerous chemicals that contaminate water despite claiming to be "vegan" or "eco-friendly." In the absence of appropriate transparency, how can we be sure?

5. Deceptive marketing and greenwashing

Words like "natural," "organic," and "clean beauty" led me to believe that the product was indeed devoid of harsh chemicals. It turns out that there is little to no regulation on the usage of these phrases by brands. A moisturizer can be 95% synthetic but still have "organic" inscribed on the front only because it contains one plant extract. The label is just marketing jargon if the component list is unclear.

How do we advocate for ingredient transparency?

1. Examine the labels and identify deceptive advertising.

The initial action? Regardless of how dull it may sound, go over each ingredient list. I've developed the practice of turning the bottle over to see what's truly within. I can tell if a product is merely marketing jargon if it says it is "aloe-infused" but actually lists aloe at the bottom.

I call out firms that use ambiguous keywords without providing accurate information by leaving a remark on their social media pages or sending an email to customer support. Believe me, when consumers openly challenge a business's claims, the brand takes notice.

2. Request Transparency from Brands

I've come to the conclusion that they won't tell if we don't ask. I now get in touch immediately anytime I have questions regarding a product:

• "What is this serum's precise vitamin C percentage?"

• "Are your scents synthetic or derived from nature?"

• "Do you sell in countries that require animal testing, or is your product cruelty-free?"

While some brands skirt the issue, others provide succinct responses. And I view that as a warning sign and move on if they are unable to be honest.

3. Encourage Brands That Are Transparent

How can we effectively promote change? Invest in what you believe in. I now deliberately try to purchase products from companies who are open about their contents—those that don't conceal their constituents behind "proprietary blends" or false advertising.

I support brands that disclose the precise amounts of active substances, ingredient sources, and any allergies. Businesses that lack transparency will have to adapt to remain competitive if more of us take this action.

4. Raise Awareness and Disseminate What I Discover

I began educating my friends, family, and even the internet on ingredient disclosure. Small talks have a big impact, whether you're alerting someone to the presence of hidden allergens in "fragrance-free" creams or suggesting an app like INCI Decoder to verify contents.

Another effective tool is social media. If I discover that a product has dangerous components or false claims, I don't keep it to myself. A single post or comment can raise awareness, and the more people who raise questions, the more difficult it is for brands to conceal the truth.

5. Support Regulations & Sign Petitions

It's absurd that although some nations have outlawed harmful substances in cosmetics, others still let them. (For instance, the United States only outlaws roughly 30 dangerous substances, whereas the European Union outlaws over 1,300!) For this reason, whenever I can, I join petitions that call for stricter controls.

I participate by, among other things: 

•  Signing petitions calling for improved regulations pertaining to ingredient disclosure.

• Endorsing groups that advocate for safer cosmetics, such as the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

•  I'm voting with my money by staying away from companies that advocate for less stringent ingredient laws.

Collective action does have an impact on the industry, even though one person cannot completely transform it.

Terms Frequently Misused in the Food and Beauty Sector

Over the years, I've come to realize that labels don't necessarily signify what they seem. The food and cosmetics businesses enjoy using fancy terminology that seem clean, healthy, or effective, but upon closer inspection, many of these concepts are, at best, deceptive and, at worst, worthless.

Here are a few of the most often used terms I've encountered, along with their true meanings.

In the food sector

1. "Natural" 

I had believed that the term "natural" denoted that anything was created using genuine, healthful substances. It turns out to be nearly meaningless. Since this term is not strictly regulated, a product with the label "natural" may nonetheless include processed ingredients, artificial flavors, and preservatives.

For instance, a lot of "natural" fruit juices contain a lot of added sugars and concentrates.

2. "No Sugar Added"

That sounds fantastic, doesn't it? However, this does not imply that the product isn't inherently rich in sugar. Additionally, some brands utilize fruit concentrates or artificial sweeteners in place of sugar, which still raises blood sugar levels.

For instance, substantial amounts of sugar from dates, honey, or agave syrup are nevertheless present in many "no added sugar" granola bars.

3. "Organic"

Though it's not usually the case, I always thought that "organic" meant totally devoid of chemicals. Products labeled "organic" are not necessarily healthy, and some pesticides are still permitted in organic cultivation.

For instance, organic cookies can have the same amount of fat and sugar as conventional cookies.

4. “Low-Fat” or “Fat-Free”

"Low-fat" was always the healthier option, I believed when I first started reading food labels. To compensate for the taste loss, sugar, starch, or artificial tastes are sometimes used in place of fat.

For instance, compared to full-fat yogurt, fat-free yogurt frequently has more sugar.

5. "Gluten-free"

"Gluten-free" does not always equate to being healthy unless you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Compared to their gluten-containing counterparts, a lot of highly processed gluten-free items include higher levels of sugar, starch, and chemicals.

For instance, compared to ordinary bread, gluten-free bread frequently contains more calories and preservatives.

In beauty sector

1. "Free of Fragrances"

I used to believe that "fragrance-free" meant completely odorless. However, some firms continue to conceal the inherent scent of their substances by using masking chemicals. These unseen substances may irritate you as much as ordinary fragrance.

For instance, essential oils or other unseen aroma ingredients may nevertheless irritate skin when present in certain "fragrance-free" creams.

2. "Tested by Dermatologists"

Doesn't that sound official? However, the fact that a product was tested on skin does not imply that dermatologists approve of it. The number of dermatologists that tested it, the outcomes, and whether or not they even suggest it are not specified.

For instance, a moisturizer may claim to be "dermatologist-tested" even though it was only evaluated on a single individual by one dermatologist.

3. "Hypoallergenic."

I was duped for a long time by this one. Although it sounds like something that is less prone to trigger allergies, there isn't a clear definition of what constitutes hypoallergenic. In this method, a product that contains known irritants can still be labeled.

As an illustration, certain "hypoallergenic" sunscreens continue to include chemical filters that cause adverse skin reactions.

4. "Non-toxic"

One of the most deceptive terms in the beauty industry is this one. "Non-toxic" doesn't really imply anything, and it doesn't ensure that a product isn't made with dangerous substances. Without any solid evidence, this word is frequently used by businesses as a marketing ploy.

For instance, some "non-toxic" nail paints still include dubious substances such agents that release formaldehyde.

5. "Free of Chemicals"

All things are chemical, even water! Simply put, it is not scientifically correct to believe that a product can be "chemical-free." Though they rarely specify that specific synthetic chemicals are absent, marketers are actually saying that the product is free of them.

For instance, a sunscreen labeled "chemical-free" can nonetheless have naturally occurring compounds like zinc oxide.

Final Thoughts

Ingredient disclosure is about trust, not simply skincare. How can I trust a brand with my skin if they conceal what's inside? I've discovered that the best way to make wise decisions is to read labels, look up ingredients, and disregard glitzy advertising.

Take a moment to read the ingredients on a new skincare product the next time you pick it up. Honesty, not surprises, is what your skin deserves! 

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS:

Natural Face Seums and Oils

Ayurvedic Face Cream

Sun Protection

Natural Face Cleansers

Exfoliating Scrub for Face

Ayurvedic Hair Care Products

Ayurvedic Body Care Products

REFERENCE:

https://www.grandecig.com/blog/clean-labels-vs.-ingredient-transparency

https://www.growfragrance.com/blogs/learn/why-is-ingredient-transparency-so-important-anyway?