How to read cosmetic labels?

A short and effective guide on how to read cosmetic labels

1. Frist thing you need to know about cosmetic labels is that all ingredients are listed by concentration from highest to lowest except for those that are less than 1 percent of the formula, as well as colorants, fragrances, and preservatives.
2. If the first ingredient listed is water or aqua, it is a water-based product. Similarly, if it is an oil, it is an oil-based product.
3. The open-jar symbol represents how long the product is good for once it’s opened, such as numbers 6M, 12M, 24M, and so on.
4. Chelating ingredients with EDTA or EDDS can prevent heavy metals in tap water (which can stay on your face after you cleanse) from degrading delicate ingredients in skincare. Emulsifiers (many have “-eth” suffixes) work to prevent your product from separating in the bottle — so you get active ingredients with every pump or scoop.
5. Alpha Hydroxy Acids are generally recommended for normal skin types, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, sun damage, and fine lines. The most common AHAs are glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, and mandelic acid.
6. Sunscreens include two types of ingredients that help protect the skin from UV rays: physical (or mineral) and chemical. Physical ingredients block, reflect, absorb, and scatter the sun’s rays. Chemical ingredients absorb UV rays and transform them to heat. The main ingredients you should look out for include:
7. Physical (mineral) sunscreen ingredients: Titanium dioxide and Zinc oxide
8. Chemical sunscreen ingredients: Oxybenzone, Octisalate, Octocrylene, and Avobenzone 
9. Look out for parabens in the lower part of the list in cosmetic labels such as methyl- or propyl-parahydroxybenzoate which are commonly used preservatives but also highly allergenic.
10. Silicones, such as dimethicone and phenyl trimethicone, are widely used in cosmetics. Perhaps the most common forms of silicone are cyclopentasiloxane and cyclohexasiloxane.
11. Sulfates such as sodium laureth sulfates, alkylbenzene sulfonate, and sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, are usually found in cleansers because of their ability to create foam. Since they’re meant to remove dirt and oil, they also strip the healthy oils from the skin, leaving it dry and unbalanced.
12. Parfum/ Fragrances are also on the unwanted list. They are usually very unsuitable for people with sensitive skin and can cause skin irritations.