First, what is this product supposed to do?
A cleanser that gets rinsed off and a serum that stays on the skin are different things. I start with the purpose and directions before zooming in on one ingredient.
The order tells part of the story
The list shows ingredients in order while the complete formula determines how they work together. I use placement as one clue among several.
My own history matters most
When something has bothered my skin before, I pay attention to it. I judge the finished formula carefully and keep my own experience at the center of the decision.