As winter descends upon us, many may find themselves battling skins issues brought on by weather changes. Before you decide which product to go with for your skin conditions, you should first determine your skin type: Is it oily, dry, combination or normal? 1
The next step would be to pick products that are appropriate for your skin type. Reading skincare product labels can be confusing, and can feel like reading a foreign language. Yet, knowing what you’re putting on your skin is just as important as knowing what you’re putting in your stomach. Now let’s learn some useful terms!
Non-comedogenic
It means the product would not cause blocked pores, but there’s still a chance that it may cause breakouts.2
Consumer trials
This means a group of consumers have tried the product and given their subjective feedback. This is different from clinical trials which focus on scientific proof and data.2
Dermatologist-tested

This merely means the product has been tested by a dermatologist, it does not indicate whether the dermatologist likes or endorses the product.3
USDA Organic Seal vs NSF Seal
The USDA Organic seal means 95% or more ingredients are organic; whereas the NSF seal indicates 70% or more.4
PAO (Period After Opening) Symbol
The open jar symbol with a number and an “M” on it indicates how many months the product would stay good for after opening.4
Finding the right skincare products could be time-consuming but it is worth the research. Have fun finding the perfect products for yourself!
Sources
- https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/2154042/how-find-out-your-skin-type-and-best-ways-take-care-it
- https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2017/12/186061/beauty-slang-term-words-meaning#slide-2
- https://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/makeup-labels-ingredients/p109382/page8
- http://mentalfloss.com/article/65638/heres-what-10-symbols-cosmetics-labels-mean