Formula IQ

Learn how to read your labels

We started this journey by learning what we were putting on our own skin. It was eye opening but also deeply empowering. We want you to have the confidence to know what you’re doing when you shop for your skincare products.  

Expensive does not mean better. 

We’ve outlined the ingredients we intentionally avoid because they often do more harm than good. Every formula at CeCe Freade™ is thoughtfully crafted to always do the right thing for your skin and for the environment. 


Important to know: Commonly known ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and peptides are well-studied and effective when they are formulated correctly and used at appropriate concentrations. When they're not, they can be harsh or ineffective on your skin.

At CeCe Freade™, we formulate with the most advanced, plant-based actives that are clinically supported, gentle on the skin, and deliver meaningful results without compromising the skin barrier.

Formula IQ Snapshot: Ingredients to Avoid

Ingredients to Avoid
How to Identify in Formulas
Synthetic fragrance & parfum Hides endocrine disruptors including phthalates
Fragrance or parfum; essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, or citrus oils; and allergen names like linalool, limonene, or geraniol.
Harsh Cleansers and Foam Boosters Includes sulfates and DEA, MEA, and TEA based ingredients
Commonly seen as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS), Cocamide DEA, and Triethanolamine (TEA). If you see SLS, SLES, DEA, or TEA on the label, the cleanser is more likely to be harsh.
Silicones
Look for ingredients ending in cone, conol, or siloxane, such as dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, amodimethicone, or phenyl trimethicone.
PEGs and Ethoxylated Processing Ingredients
Look for PEG followed by a number or ingredient names ending in eth, such as PEG-40, ceteareth-20, laureth-7, or steareth-21.
Harmful preservatives Includes phenoxyethanol, parabens, and formaldehyde releasing preservatives
Look for phenoxyethanol, ingredients ending in paraben, or names like DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, or quaternium-15.
Pore-Clogging Ingredients
Look for ingredients commonly associated with congestion, such as coconut oil, cocoa butter, wheat germ oil, lanolin, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, myristyl myristate, or laureth-4, especially when they appear high on the ingredient list.
Drying Alcohols
Watch for alcohol denat, SD alcohol, ethanol, ethyl alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol.*

*Note: fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol are different and skin friendly.

Animal Derived Ingredients
A vegan label means no animal-derived ingredients are in the formula. Because vegan labeling is voluntary, it’s still smart to check the ingredient list for lanolin, beeswax, honey, collagen, elastin, and carmine.
Environmental Pollutants Including microplastics
Look for ingredients such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon-12, or PMMA on ingredient labels.

A Deeper Look at the Ingredients to Avoid

Synthetic fragrance & parfum

Purpose To add scent and improve product sensory experience.
Why we avoid it Many common cosmetic allergens are found in fragrance and essential oils, but they can also occur in certain botanical extracts and functional ingredients. Repeated exposure to these sensitizing compounds may increase the risk of irritation or allergic reactions, especially in leave-on products. We prioritize skin comfort and long-term tolerance over added scent or unnecessary sensitizers.
Sensitive skin note Can trigger redness, itching, irritation, or flare-ups, particularly in sensitive or reactive skin.
Quick tip Look for fragrance or parfum; essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, or citrus oils; and allergen names like linalool, limonene, or geraniol.

Harsh Cleansers and Foam Boosters

Purpose To create strong cleansing power, abundant foam, and a squeaky clean feel.
Why we avoid it These ingredients can strip natural oils, disrupt the skin barrier, and increase moisture loss with repeated use.
Sensitive skin note Often associated with dryness, irritation, and contact dermatitis.
Quick tip Look for ingredients such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS), Cocamide DEA, and Triethanolamine (TEA). If you see SLS, SLES, DEA, or TEA on the label, the cleanser is more likely to be harsh.

Silicones

Purpose To create an instantly smooth, silky feel and help products spread easily on the skin.
Why we avoid it Silicones sit on top of the skin and form a water-repellent layer. While this can make skin feel soft right away, it may limit how well the impactful ingredients interact with the skin. We prioritize creating formulas that support ingredient performance. A smooth “surface feel” is not enough.
Sensitive skin note For sensitive skin, heavy or coating ingredients can sit on the surface and trap heat or irritation, making skin feel uncomfortable and limiting how well calming, effective ingredients can interact with the skin.
Quick tip Look for ingredients ending in cone, conol, or siloxane, such as dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, amodimethicone, or phenyl trimethicone.

PEGs and Ethoxylated Processing Ingredients

Purpose To help oil and water mix, dissolve ingredients, and improve texture.
Why we avoid it These materials may increase irritation risk on compromised skin and can enhance penetration of substances not intended to enter the skin. We prefer alternatives that support barrier health and ingredient transparency.
Sensitive skin note May cause discomfort on sensitive, broken, or post-procedure skin.
Quick tip Look for PEG followed by a number or ingredient names ending in eth, such as PEG-40, ceteareth-20, laureth-7, or steareth-21.

Harmful preservatives

Purpose To prevent microbial growth and extend shelf life.
Why we avoid it Some preservatives are linked to irritation, sensitization, or consumer concerns around long-term exposure. We choose modern preservation systems that balance safety with skin tolerance.
Sensitive skin note May trigger irritation or allergic reactions.
Quick tip Look for phenoxyethanol, ingredients ending in paraben, or names like DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, or quaternium-15.

Pore-Clogging Ingredients

Purpose Some heavy oils, waxes, and fatty ingredients can sit on the skin’s surface and increase the likelihood of clogged pores, especially in leave-on products. While not problematic for every skin type, these ingredients may contribute to congestion, breakouts, or texture buildup for acne-prone or combination skin. We prioritize lightweight, skin-compatible ingredients that support clearing pores.
Sensitive skin note May worsen congestion, blackheads, or breakouts, particularly for acne-prone skin.
Quick tip Look for ingredients commonly associated with congestion, such as coconut oil, cocoa butter, wheat germ oil, lanolin, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, myristyl myristate, or laureth-4, especially when they appear high on the ingredient list.

Drying Alcohols

Purpose Repeated use can weaken the skin barrier and increase moisture loss over time.
Sensitive skin note May cause stinging, dryness, or irritation.
Quick tip Watch for alcohol denat, SD alcohol, ethanol, ethyl alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol. Note that fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol are different and skin friendly.

Animal Derived Ingredients

Purpose Historically used for texture, conditioning, or film formation.
Why we avoid it We prioritize plant-based and bio-fermented alternatives that align with ethical sourcing and modern formulation standards.
Sensitive skin note Plant-based alternatives are often better tolerated.
Quick tip A vegan label means no animal-derived ingredients are in the formula. Because vegan labeling is voluntary, it’s still smart to check the ingredient list for lanolin, beeswax, honey, collagen, elastin, and carmine.

Environmental Pollutants

Purpose To improve texture, slip, exfoliation, or visual effects.
Why we avoid it Microplastics are solid plastic particles used in some cosmetics that spill into the environment after rinsing or disposal. They are not readily biodegradable. We choose alternatives that are more environmentally responsible and skin compatible.
Quick tip Look for ingredients such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon-12, or PMMA on ingredient labels.