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Should You Buy Hypoallergenic Products?

Authored by critty.Pinkpurple_thumb
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Lots of people think they have more sensitive skin than they actually do, and putting Hypoallergenic on the label is a great marketing idea.  Here is the bad news: right now "hypoallergenic" is just a marketing term.  The FDA tried to legally define "hypoallergenic" but they lost their case. So there is no industry standard for "hypoallergenic" labelled products, which means anyone can use the term for any product.

Does that mean that everything labelled hypoallergenic is not good for sensitive skin?  Absolutely not.  Most reputable companies (and let's face it, most are) don't use many of the common allergens in the products labelled hypoallergenic.  And companies also do their own tests.

Does that mean a hypoallergenic product will be 100% safe for you?  Again, absolutely not.  You can be allergic or sensitive to something that is not considered one of the common allergies.  It is your responsibility to check the ingredient list to make sure it does not have whatever you are sensitive/allergic to.  

Common allergens: fragrances, preservatives (parabens), essential oils, Vitamin E, salicylic acid.  

Essential to know: if you have sensitive/allergenic skin, always, always do a patch test 24 hours before applying the product all over your face or body.

The FDA wants to regulate the term "hypoallergenic" and reputable cosmetic companies do try to eliminate common allergens, but it is still your responsibility to ensure you are not applying a product that has ingredients you react to.

Should you buy hypoallergenic products - sure, but make sure you do your research as well.  You cannot depend on the label. 

Related posts:  Does Natural Mean Better, Who Approves Cosmetics?  

Do you buy hypoallergenic products?

Comments


Wow... I did not know this. Good info. I've always been a fan of Almay mascara simply because I can count on it NOT causing me eye problems. I've had so many other brands give me issues. I recently went back to it after a stint of trying new brands, and my eyes feel so much better! This being said, I agree that perhaps the FDA needs to have some say on the hypoallergenic labeling. However, as you mentioned, You can be allergic or sensitive to something that is not considered one of the common allergies.
Posted on Mon Feb 16 17:10:34 UTC 2009 by mmpotter

Maybe you can check the ingredients of the Almay mascara against others that irritated you and you may find your irritating ingredient. I too think it should be a controlled label and not a marketing term :)
Posted on Tue Feb 17 02:02:39 UTC 2009 by critty

Thank You for posting this! So many people assume that organic or all natural products are safer for their skin, and as you said, this is not necessarily the case. Many of the common irritants you listed are natural- most organic skincare products are full of essential oils, just one of which could irritate the skin. Synthetics, on the other hand, benefit from lab manipulation- scientists that know what components of an ingredient are beneficial and which components are harmful or irritating. This enables them to keep the good, and get rid of the bad. This is not to say all natural or organic products are bad- different things work for different people. If you like organics for geo-political reasons, realize that different skincare/cosmetic lines have different "specialties". MAC specializes in ultra pigmented color. Estee Lauder in Anti-Aging skincare, etc...with organic lines their focus is being organic- you are assured that your product is natural and chemical free, but it probably won't be the most advanced color or skincare out there. If that's your focus too, go for it!
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