Indie Lee - Skin Care Packaging Symbols

Skip navigation!

Begin Slideshow

When it comes to picking the best skin-care products for you, did you know that scrutinizing the symbols on the packaging can be just as informative as reading the ingredient labels themselves? Just start thinking of them as the beauty industry’s own set of emojis — except, instead of being deployed at random by, say, your 17-year-old cousin, they're there for a good reason. And, we're here to give you a quick lesson, so you will know what they all mean before you purchase that product you’ve been lusting over.

Click through for a short "101" session on universal skin-care language to help you make sure you're buying what you're looking for.

More from Skin Care

Why Does Everyone Have An LED Mask Right Now?

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. From celebrities and doctor

by Jacqueline Kilikita

Editors Love This Skincare Brand — & It’s 30% Off For Black Friday

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. As a beauty and shopping wr

I Thought My Skin Cancer Risk Was Low — Until I Had My Moles Mapped

Welcome to Sun Blocked, Refinery29’s global call to action to wake up to the serious dangers of tanning. No lectures or shaming, we promise. Instead

by Hannah Thompson

Acne Skin-Care Guide

Lili Reinhart Gets Candid On Rejection, Acne, & Her New Skincare ...

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Live from Beautycon…i

by Karina Hoshikawa

Acne Skin-Care Guide

These Acne Patches Showed My Cystic Body Breakouts The Door

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. I know my way around an acn

by Karina Hoshikawa

These Celebrity-Loved LED Light Face Masks Are Now On Sale

by Erika Stalder

Credo Beauty’s Ultra Hydrating Skincare Launch Is Just In Time Fo...

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. There are so many lovely th

7 Fall Skincare Trends A Specialist Thinks Everyone Can Benefit From

Summer served up a handful of intriguing skincare movements: Dermatologists extolled the virtues of retinal over retinol for minimizing pigmentation, fine

by Jacqueline Kilikita

Sensitive To Vitamin C? These 5 Alternatives Do The Same Job With...

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Vitamin C is undoubtedly a

The Ordinary Is Bringing Back This Discontinued Fan-Favorite Product

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Last year, I had the opport

by Karina Hoshikawa

7 Skincare Changes A Dermatologist Told Me To Make For Fall

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. After a relentlessly hot su

by Jacqueline Kilikita

Is My Sex Life Making My Rosacea Worse?

“I love it when you go all red,” said my boyfriend, looking lovingly at me post-sex. I was mortified. I burrowed into the nearest pillow and slunk off

by Charlotte Bitmead