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the makeup obsessed mom blog

Midlife beauty, health tips, skincare reviews and advice for women over 40

Beauty Tips, Skincare

How to Decipher Skincare Packaging Jargon

February 22, 2019

We all want to buy effective skincare products that live up to their labels. It’s easy to stand in a store and look like a deer in the headlights while sorting through the hundreds of products available. I know that I often wonder what some of the wording really means. I’m here today with Dr. Shah who helps us decipher skincare packaging jargon so we can all get a better understanding of the products that we choose to purchase.

skincare packaging jargon

stock photo by Degimages

Dr. Shah shares common marketing jargon phrases used to mislead consumers.

  1. A Product that claims “Patented Technology”

“Patents are not necessarily a foolproof sign that something is groundbreaking or effective,” explains Dr. Shah. “Marketers use this language to convey innovation and superiority that their product might not necessarily have over its competitors,” he says. Patents are sometimes authorized through technicality instead of breakthrough meaning any new combination of ingredients, methods or production process can be patented as long as it is new. 

  1. “Maximum strength”

This is a term used often by skin cleansers and moisturizers. “It’s a relative term and the consumer doesn’t really know what it is relevant to. It’s language that entices the shopper to make the purchase without really telling them how it accomplishes ‘maximum strength’ results,” says the Denver Plastic Surgeon.

  1. “Clinical strength”

From painkillers to hydrating serums, companies love to bill their products as having “clinical strength.” Dr. Shah says consumers should practice healthy skepticism with such claims. “A product that claims it has clinical strength, in many cases, could have been tested by the doctors developing it. If you think about it you can’t really pinpoint what that phrase means because it is relative and we have no context as to what the company considers clinical strength,” says Shah. The perception, explains Dr. Shah, is that the product is better because the world clinical makes it sound more credible.

  1. “For All Skin Types”

“This is a difficult promise to deliver on,” says Shah who has practiced his specialty for 14 years. “Not all skin is the same. If someone has an allergy to an ingredient or some form of dermatitis they really should speak to their doctor about what products are best to include in their regiment instead of blindly trusting a label,” he says.  

  1. “FDA Approved”

The FDA has different protocols for skincare products that make cosmetic claims as opposed to those that make more medical claims such as promising to increase production of collagen in the skin. Since that is a body function the FDA treats those differently than normal skincare products. However the FDA just stipulates that the product being sold is safe to use in the manner in which it is directed to be used “FDA approval is not credential that shows the superiority of results,” says Dr. Shah. The plastic surgeon recommends that you not be sold on the sole factor of an FDA approval.

  1. “Anti-Aging, Revitalizing, or Age Defying”

We’ve all seen these on the labels of some cream or serum or advertised in a commercial where beautiful models and actresses are displayed in all of their airbrushed and well-lit perfection. “These terms are somewhat misleading in that they give the perception of an unrealistic turning back of the clock,” says Dr. Shah. To many consumers viewing an advertisement, it might seem like buy and using that product will help them look like an ageless actress and that is not accurate.” Aging gracefully and maintaining a more youthful look has a lot to do with nutrition, exercise, genes, consistent skin care, stress levels, and cosmetic procedures when necessary. But according to Shah, people cannot cling onto just one aspect in order to look their best and no one product will reverse the clock.

  1. Medical-Looking Packaging

Be wary of bottles that look like test tubes, labels or packages that include a medical or first aid cross, or feature type that looks like Rx suggesting that it’s a prescription-strength formula even though it’s sold over the counter.

  1. Botanical

Dr. Shah explains that “An actual botanic is technically an ingredient that is derived from a plant. But, again, “botanical” may be used in advertising to refer to something that is synthetic but acts similar to a plant-based ingredient.”

botanical skincare

stock photo by paulynn

  1. Instant Results

Keep in mind that “instant results” aren’t the same as “long-term results.” Meaning, you may use a product that gives you instant moisture or has a quick-acting firming effect, but those results may fade after a few hours and require reapplication. Dr. Shah’s final advice: “Check a product to make sure it specifies whether its “instant” effects are long lasting or short term.”

  1.  Firming

What you think it means: Proven to make skin look tauter.

What it really means: Essentially nothing. “There is no objective way to measure firming,” says Dr. Shah “When a brand says their product has been shown to firm your skin, that claim can only be based on very subjective consumer perception.”

 

About the Expert:

Dr. Manish Shah M.D., F.A.C.S. is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He is well-trained in all areas of aesthetic surgery. Dr. Shah’s aim is to obtain a natural appearing transformation that complements the real you. His practice is in Denver, Colorado.

 

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Comments

  1. Hannah Lagdameo says

    February 27, 2019 at 1:22 am

    We really have to be meticulous when it comes to the products we use for our skin. This is very helpful, thank you very much for sharing this.

    Reply
    • Stacie says

      February 27, 2019 at 1:21 pm

      Very true! Knowing what the language of packaging is talking about is even more important nowadays. Stacie xo
      Stacie recently posted…Empowered Women – Volume 1My Profile

      Reply
  2. Kathy Davis says

    February 28, 2019 at 9:18 pm

    Thanks for this information. I never even thought about some of these claims.

    Reply
    • Stacie says

      March 1, 2019 at 11:36 am

      You’re welcome! Shopping for skincare can feel so overwhelming, so hopefully this post helps. Stacie xo
      Stacie recently posted…Empowered Women – Volume 1My Profile

      Reply
  3. Kyra Rodriguez says

    March 5, 2019 at 2:38 am

    I have a very sensitive skin, so I always look for the best/right skin care for me. Anyway, thanks for sharing this!
    Kyra Rodriguez recently posted…8 Health Benefits of Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 | Healthier Heart and Energy BoosterMy Profile

    Reply

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Stacie Hamilton midlife beauty blogger

Thanks for visiting my site! I'm Stacie and I'm a Dallas based beauty and lifestyle blogger, Mom and Grandma. You could say that I'm slightly obsessed with beauty products, especially skincare. I'm living my best life one day at a time while leading with kindness.

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How to understand skincare labels
 

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