Reading a Korean ingredient list: learn the ordering rule first
Lots of ingredient fans zero in on the first few items, but first it helps to know how Korean INCI lists are ordered.
The basics
- Korean cosmetics must list all ingredients
- They're generally listed from highest to lowest concentration
- Ingredients at 1% or below can appear in any order
So when you read one:
- The top items are usually the base: water, humectants, oils
- A hero ingredient far down the list isn't useless; many work at low concentrations
- But if the box shouts about an ingredient that sits after fragrance and preservatives, read the marketing calmly
Common misconceptions
- Fewer ingredients isn't automatically gentler; more isn't automatically harsher
- 'Does it contain X' matters less than the whole formula and how your skin reacts
- Sensitive skin often does better watching fragrance and essential oils
What do you look for first on an ingredient list? Any ingredient that makes you put a product straight back?
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