How to Spot the 1% Line in Skincare Products

🔍 How to Spot the 1% Line in Skincare Products

Since cosmetic brands are only required to list ingredients in descending order until they hit 1%, everything after that point can appear in any order—and that’s where label reading gets tricky.

Here’s how to spot that dividing line:

✅ Step 1: Look for Known Preservatives or Fragrance Ingredients

Some ingredients are typically used in very small amounts—often at or below 1%. These can serve as “clues” to where the 1% line starts.

Common examples:

• Phenoxyethanol

• Ethylhexylglycerin

• Tetrasodium EDTA

• Fragrance (Parfum)

• Essential oils (e.g., lavender oil, citrus oils)

• Colorants (like CI numbers or D&C dyes)

Once you see one of these appear, it’s likely that everything listed after it is under 1%.

✅ Step 2: Compare Similar Products

Look at a few ingredient lists from different brands. See where actives like retinol, niacinamide, peptides, or plant extracts fall in relation to those “marker” ingredients.

If a hero ingredient (like green tea extract) is listed after phenoxyethanol, it’s probably in a very low concentration—likely under 1%.

✅ Step 3: Check for Brands That Disclose Percentages

Some transparent brands (like The Ordinary, Paula’s Choice, or Inkey List) will list exact percentages of active ingredients. This gives you a baseline for comparison when reading other labels.

🔔 Quick Tip: More ≠ Better

Just because something is above the 1% line doesn’t mean it’s safer or more effective. Some ingredients (like retinol or peptides) work best at low levels, while others (like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid) need more for real results.

Final Thoughts

Finding the 1% line takes a little detective work, but once you know the signs, it’s easier to decode what’s really in your skincare—and what’s just there for marketing.

Smart skincare starts with smart label reading.