Expensive doesn’t mean good. The expert reveals what to look for when choosing cosmetics

Natalia Kondratiuk-Świerubska, Woman Gazeta.pl: More and more often we can come across the opinion that a thorough analysis of the composition of cosmetics does not make sense, because every product that is approved for sale in European Union countries is safe for us. Nevertheless, cosmetics with great compositions enjoy unflagging popularity and new products are constantly appearing on our market.

Agnieszka Pocztarska, creator of the Czymyetykiety.pl website: The European Union, of course, watches over our safety in this regard and regularly carries out its research and tests. When there is information that a component is harmful, it is withdrawn. However, we must not forget that, in addition to the laboratories with which the EU cooperates, there are also private companies that carry out such tests. And, for example, after their tests, it may turn out that some ingredient is not good for us at all or is harmful to some specific group of recipients – for example, children or pregnant women, usually it is then checked again by the relevant institutions of the EU Commission to have confidence and credibility.

Some ingredients, despite the fact that they are approved in the EU, arouse controversy.

These are primarily fragrances, which very often cause allergies. The second type of such ingredients are chemical and physical filters that appear in sunscreens. In turn, the third group is endocrine active substances, i.e. those that can affect our body. Research is ongoing in this case.

So it’s worth keeping your finger on the pulse and being interested in this type of news.

Yes, but let’s not forget to get knowledge from reliable sources. What is negative in my opinion is the fact that consumers often rely on what they find on the internet – for example in comments under articles or videos. And then such knowledge is passed on, which, despite the lack of research, contributes to the criticism of some ingredient.

It is also not worth approaching the compositions in zero-one terms, because each of us is different, each skin has different needs. So we have to watch how we react to the effects of cosmetics and choose the products that are best for us.

For example, SPF cream, which does not have a perfect composition, works best for me. I also tested the natural ones, but I always came back to the one with a worse composition, because it moisturizes, protects and does not roll under makeup.

I also have a great example from my private life. Even though I try to choose cosmetics with a good composition for myself and my loved ones, I make an exception in one matter. My younger son has atopic dermatitis (AD). It is a very troublesome disease, especially for a 10-year-old child. When I was choosing cosmetics for him with ideal compositions, dedicated to AD, we did not see any improvement. Sometimes it was even worse. Finally, we reached for a proven product that we used a few years ago. Although there is no perfect composition, it brought relief and improved the condition of the skin.

So let’s watch the reactions of our body and make purchasing decisions on this basis. This applies not only to care, but also to diet. Especially since the selection of products is very large, so we can check different options.

Looking at the Polish cosmetics market, it is easy to get the impression that it is developing extremely dynamically. I always see some interesting new products in drugstores.

I think our producers are doing a great job. There are plenty of Polish brands that implement products with excellent, innovative compositions. They apply themselves to it, regardless of the fact that, for example, global corporations do not care so much about these types of issues.

In addition, they prove that a good cosmetic does not have to be expensive.

Remember that the high price of the product does not mean that it is good. My observations show that such a belief that expensive cosmetics, world brands are better, prevails among the older generations. Fortunately, we are becoming more and more aware, we are educating ourselves. And Polish companies see that the trends are going in this direction.

Your plebiscite “We read labels” is a perfect example of this. Among the nominees there are a lot of Polish cosmetic novelties that have recently gained great popularity.

All nominated products are easily available, have great compositions and are appreciated by users. I would like to remind you that voting lasts until March 16, and the gala where the results will be announced will take place until March 21.

I am very proud that the plebiscite is held for the eighth time. This is the only such competition in Poland that appreciates producers who care about the best compositions.

Finally, I would like to ask a question that has only recently been discussed. The development of the natural cosmetics market meant that we began to pay attention to PAO, i.e. a marking that indicates the usefulness of the product after opening the package. Is it really that important?

If we open the product, let’s stick to these markings. We must remember that if the expiration date or the PAO date on the cosmetic has passed, we are not sure about the effectiveness of the product. We don’t know how it will affect our skin. For example, if we have very sensitive skin, it can cause allergies and irritation. This is very important, especially in the case of natural cosmetics, in which there are no preservatives.

However, I am far from encouraging you to throw away such cosmetics. We can use them in other ways. If your face cream has expired, use it, for example, for your feet. We can also pat it on the buttocks. There are really many options.

Thank you very much for the interview and I am waiting for the announcement of the results of the plebiscite!

Also thank you very much!

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For the eighth time, the website We Read Labels organizes a plebiscite in which it selects the best cosmetic and food products in terms of composition. Awards will be given in 11 food and 15 cosmetic categories. You can vote for your favorites on the website. Gazeta.pl is the media patron of this event.