THE REFERENCE SHELF
Label literacy
Read ingredients at the product-line level
The ingredient list belongs to a named formula and market. A familiar brand name does not make its cream, gel and SPF products interchangeable.
Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic are different questions
Neither term is a guarantee that every person will tolerate the product. Read the exact wording and full ingredient list.
A plain moisturizer is not a sunscreen claim
Check whether the selected product actually carries an SPF and the relevant directions. Similar branding does not transfer sun-protection claims to a plain moisturizer.
Read a hydration-duration claim without inventing a wear test
A manufacturer’s hydration claim needs its specific wording and study conditions. It is not a promise that every person can skip care for that period.