A product label tells you more than the front of the box. This guide covers the main things to look for. It uses Dr.SANTE products as examples, but the same approach works for most skin care.
1. The name and the line
The front of the pack shows the product name and the series it belongs to, for example Azulene Soother Gel or Hyalquad Core Cream. The series name tells you what the product is built around.
2. The size
Sizes are printed in millilitres (ml) for liquids and gels, and grams (g) for creams and solids. Examples from the range:
- Azulene Soother Cream: 150 g and 50 g
- Azulene Soother Ampoule: 100 ml and 50 ml
- Azulene Soother Gel, Toner and Lotion: 500 ml
- Hyalquad Core Cream: 200 g
Check that the size on the pack matches the size on the website or shelf label. Sets list each item with its own size.
3. The ingredient list
Ingredients are listed in order, from the most in the formula to the least. Chamomile flower water appears near the start of the Azulene Soother ingredient lists, which is how you can tell that chamomile is the base. Names are written in INCI, the international naming system. For example, azulene appears as “Guaiazulene” and hyaluronic acid as “Sodium Hyaluronate” or “Hyaluronic Acid”.
If you have allergies, read the list before you buy.
4. What ppm means
“ppm” means parts per million. 10,000 ppm is 1%. It is sometimes used to describe the amount of one ingredient. A number on its own does not say how a product feels or performs, so read it as one piece of information only. SANTE’s guide notes that the figure should describe the real content of the active ingredient, not the amount of a raw-material blend.
5. The batch code
Most cosmetics carry a batch or lot code, a short string of letters and numbers printed on the pack or the box. It is how the manufacturer traces a product back to when and where it was made. If you ever have a question about a product, quoting the batch code helps us answer in writing.
The code is usually printed on the base of the tube or jar, or the end flap of the box. It may be stamped rather than printed, so look closely.
6. The period after opening
A small open-jar symbol with a number such as “12M” means the product is best used within that many months after opening. Write the opening date on the jar when you start it.
7. The warnings
Look for caution lines. For the chamomile products, SANTE’s guidance is to take care if you have an allergy to plants in the daisy family.
8. Colour and texture
The Azulene Soother products get their blue colour from a natural pigment, which can shift slightly with temperature and time.
If something looks wrong
If the label looks different from the one on our website, or a batch code is missing, contact us in writing through the form on the Contact page and include a photo. See also our Authenticity page.
