Most of us look at the front of a bottle first. It shows the name, the size and a nice picture. The part that tells you what is actually inside is on the back, in small print. This guide shows you how to read an Ayurvedic oil ingredient label in a few minutes, on any pack you pick up.
Start with the full ingredient list
A proper label names every ingredient. Not “herbal blend” and not “special oil mix”. If you cannot tell what is inside, you cannot check it against your own allergies, and you cannot ask your doctor about it.
Look for clear names, such as sesame oil, peppermint or menthol. If a name is new to you, look it up or ask the brand. A good brand is happy to answer.
What the percentages tell you
Some packs print how much of each ingredient is in the bottle. When they do, a bigger number means more of that ingredient.
Take our Zeroshool roll-on as an example. It has 11 ingredients. The largest is sesame oil at 23%, then shallaki at 15%, then turpentine oil and wintergreen oil at 14% each. Stronger ingredients such as menthol (5%), clove oil (4%) and cinnamon oil (2%) are used in smaller amounts. All eleven numbers add up to 100, and that is a quick check you can do on any label that gives percentages.
On many labels the first ingredient is the largest, but that is not a rule for every pack. Do not rely on the order alone. A printed percentage is clearer.
What is a base oil?
A base oil, also called a carrier oil, is the oil that makes up most of a product and carries the other ingredients. Sesame oil is a classic base in Ayurveda. Hemp seed oil, castor oil, sweet almond oil and jojoba oil are others.
Concentrated ingredients, such as essential oils, menthol and kapoor (camphor), are used in small amounts because a little goes a long way. So when you read a label, ask two questions. What is the base? And what has been added to it?
What else to check on any pack
- Directions: how much to use, where, how often and for how long.
- Cautions: age limits, patch test advice, and a warning to keep away from the eyes and broken skin.
- Manufacturer and licence number: the company that made it should be named on the pack.
- Batch number, manufacturing date and expiry date: if any of these is missing, ask why.
- MRP: it should be printed on the carton, and the price you pay should not be higher.
- Pack size: check that the quantity matches what you paid for.
Be careful with these
- Vague names, such as “herbal extract” or “essential blend”, with no detail.
- Packs that promise a cure. Advertising rules in India do not allow products to promise a cure for named diseases.
- A label with no directions, no cautions or no expiry date.
- A long list of big words on the front but no ingredient list on the back.
Do a patch test first
Even a simple oil can suit one person and not another. Before you use any new oil, test a small amount on your skin first. We explain the steps in How to Do a Patch Test Before Using a New Oil. If you are new to navel oiling, our plain guide is here: What Is Nabhi Oiling? A Plain Guide to Navel Oiling.
How we label our packs
At Ajayveda, we print the ingredients, directions and cautions on the carton, so you can read them before you use the product. You can also see each product’s ingredients on our scan page. To see a full label online, here is our Zeroshool roll-on page.
Read the label, ask questions, and choose what you understand.
For external use only. Patch test before first use. Consult a doctor if you are pregnant, have a skin condition or are using other treatment.