How to Never Be Fooled Again Once You Can Read Ingredient Lists🐰 ― How to Choose Cosmetics Wisely with 3 Rules

When choosing a lotion at the drugstore, what do you look at to decide?

The packaging? The price? Because you saw it in a commercial?

I'll be honest with you.

For seven years, I always chose based on the packaging.

And then I realized something.

That when you read the "ingredient list," you can instantly tell the

true difference between expensive and cheap cosmetics.

Today, I will teach you how to read them using just three rules.

【Rule 1: Order = Amount of Concentration】

Ingredient lists are written in "descending order of concentration." This is a rule determined by law. In other words, the ingredients listed at the top are the ones that reach your skin in the highest amounts. For example, look at this ingredient list.

Water, BG, Mineral Oil, Glycerin, Fragrance, Ethanol, Paraben, Synthetic Coloring (Red 102), Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP

The most abundant ingredient is "water." This is expected. The problem is that "mineral oil" is third and "fragrance" is fifth. And "Ceramide NP" is tenth. This is practically the same as not being in there at all.

【Rule 2: Water being first is normal; the focus is on the second ingredient and beyond】

Many people think, "If water is first, isn't it diluted?" but this is normal. Almost all lotions have water as the first ingredient. There is no need to be surprised. The only thing you should pay attention to is what ingredients are in the 2nd to 5th positions. An ideal ingredient list looks like this.

Water, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Allantoin

...Ceramides and hyaluronic acid are listed starting from the second ingredient. This is proof of a "good lotion."

[Rule 3: If these ingredients are near the top, it's a buy]

If your goal is moisturizing, look for the following four.

✅ Ceramide (those labeled NP, AP, or EOP) 　
→ The only moisturizing ingredient with scientifically proven effectiveness

✅ Sodium Hyaluronate 　
→ A classic moisturizing ingredient that holds onto moisture


✅ Niacinamide 　
→ Effective for whitening, pores, and improving barrier function

✅ Allantoin 　
→ An ingredient that calms rough skin and inflammation. If you choose a product where any of these four are within the top five, you will almost never go wrong🐰

[Also know which ingredients to avoid]

Conversely, it is also useful to remember ingredients that those with sensitive skin should be careful about.

⚠️ Fragrance 　
→ The number one cause of allergies

⚠️ Mineral Oil (Liquid Paraffin) 　
→ Risk of clogging pores

⚠️ Parabens (Methylparaben, etc.) 　
→ Preservatives that are a concern for sensitive skin irritation

⚠️ Synthetic Colorants (Red 102, Blue 1, etc.) 　
→ Completely unnecessary for the skin. Ingredients for appearance only

⚠️ Ethanol (Alcohol) high on the list 　
→ Provides a refreshing sensation but causes dryness and irritation

If you know just this much, you won't get lost when choosing cosmetics at the pharmacy.

What did you think of the 3 rules and the ingredients to avoid?

So, which specific products should I buy?

The paid section answers that question.

(*Currently available for free🐰)

■ 3 Ceramide Lotions I've Actually Used, by Skin Type

For sensitive skin, dry skin, and normal skin,

I will introduce products that suit each, along with my impressions from actually using them.

▶ For sensitive skin: Curél Intensive Moisture Care Lotion III (approx. 1,980 yen)

Contains ceramide functional ingredients + eucalyptus extract.

Fragrance-free, colorant-free, and alcohol-free.

Especially recommended for those who suffer from recurring skin irritation.

▶ For those who want full-body care: Cezanne Skin Conditioner High Moist (approx. 715 yen)

A large 500ml bottle with the best value for money.

Contains ceramides and can be used on the whole body, with an amazing cost performance of less than 1 yen/ml per bottle.

▶ For dry skin: Le Mieux Lotion High Moisturizing (approx. 1,475 yen)

A highly moisturizing lotion containing heparinoid.

Designed to be low-irritation and easy to use even for sensitive skin.

■ Ingredient List Checklist

I have compiled a checklist that you can use right away when shopping.

【Check 1】 Check the 2nd to 5th ingredients

→ It's a win if it contains ceramide or sodium hyaluronate

【Check 2】 Check if ingredients to avoid are at the top

→ It's a caution if fragrance, mineral oil, or parabens are in the top 3

【Check 3】 Calculate cost-performance by price ÷ content

→ It's excellent if it's 10 yen or less per ml. Just by taking this sheet to the pharmacy,

your cosmetic choices will change🐰

Thank you for reading until the end🐰

In the next note, I plan to publish 'The story of how I turned my beauty expenses into NISA and it became 2.67 million yen in 10 years'

as a scheduled post.

I also update diagrams every week on Instagram!
→ @rei_zukai

📗Bookmark this note to keep it handy

It will be useful when choosing cosmetics at the drugstore!