Julie Stevenson

Introduction Botanical oils are widely used in skincare formulations. You may see terms such as cold-pressed , expeller-pressed , or hexane-free used to describe how these oils were produced. These processing descriptions can provide helpful context about how an ingredient was extracted. Understanding what these terms generally refer to can make ingredient claims easier to interpret. Why Processing Methods Matter Many skincare ingredients begin as seeds, nuts, kernels, or plant materials....

Introduction Have you ever turned over a skincare product and looked at the ingredient list, only to feel unsure where to start? Ingredient names can sometimes look unfamiliar, and product descriptions often highlight only a few featured ingredients. Learning how to read an ingredient list can help provide a clearer picture of what is actually in a product and how it may be formulated. With a few simple principles, ingredient lists become much easier to understand. Start With the First Few...

Introduction Skincare products are made from a wide range of ingredients, including plant-based materials, minerals, and in some cases, ingredients derived from animals or animal agriculture. Examples may include materials such as tallow, beeswax, honey, lanolin, or milk-derived ingredients . When brands communicate information about these ingredients, they may sometimes include sourcing descriptions such as grass-fed , pasture-raised , or ethically sourced . These terms are intended to...