What You Should Know Before Buying Body Care Products in Australia
Every day, we use a range of body care products—shampoo, moisturiser, sunscreen, and more. But do you really know what’s in those bottles? As an Australian consumer and a parent, I’ve often found myself standing in the supermarket aisle, squinting at labels and wondering: “Is this safe for my family?”
This is the first post in my series on understanding body care ingredients and how Australian regulations protect (or sometimes don’t protect) us. My goal is to help clear up the confusion, so you can make confident, informed choices for yourself and your loved ones.
Why Ingredient Awareness Matters
You’ve probably seen headlines about “toxic chemicals” lurking in everyday products. According to research by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the average adult uses nine personal care products each day, containing a total of 126 unique chemical ingredients.
Our skin is our largest organ—and it’s not just a barrier. It absorbs what we put on it, sometimes in as little as 30 seconds. This is even more concerning for children, whose thinner skin and developing organs make them especially vulnerable to chemical exposure.
As parents, we want to protect our families from unnecessary risks. But with so many confusing ingredients, and so much marketing spin, it can be hard to know which claims to trust.
The Problem with Labels and Greenwashing
There’s a growing movement towards natural and non-toxic products. Unfortunately, terms like “natural,” “organic,” and “non-toxic” aren’t tightly regulated in Australia. Brands know we want safer options, so they often use these buzzwords in their marketing—even if the product doesn’t live up to the claim. This is called “greenwashing,” and it’s something even my friend Abbey, who works in marketing, sees all the time.
So how do you spot the difference between genuine natural products and clever marketing? It starts with understanding what’s actually in your products.
Do You Really Know What’s in Your Products?
- Would you recognise parabens, phthalates, or petrochemicals on an ingredients list?
- Did you know the same ingredient can appear under different names?
- And that some products don’t even have to list all their ingredients?
These are the questions I’ll help you answer in this series.
What’s Next in This Series
In upcoming posts, I’ll break down:
- Why ingredients can be labelled with different names
- How to read and understand labels on personal care products
- Where to find trustworthy information about the ingredients in your products
So you can make empowered, confident decisions for your family’s health and wellbeing.
FAQs: Understanding Body Care Ingredients
Why is it important to know what’s in your body care products?
Many chemicals in personal care products can be absorbed through the skin and may affect your health, especially for children. Learning about ingredients helps you make safer choices.
What is greenwashing in skincare?
Greenwashing is when brands use terms like “natural” or “organic” in marketing, even if the product doesn’t meet those standards. Always check the ingredient list and look for third-party certifications.
How can I learn more about cosmetic ingredients in Australia?
Start with resources like EWG Skin Deep, INCIDecoder, and official Australian databases such as AICIS.
Conclusion
Understanding what you’re putting on your body is the first step to making safer, more conscious choices for your family and the planet.
Have you ever been surprised by an ingredient in a product you use? Or do you have a tip for reading labels? Share your story or questions in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!
