Do You - or Your Kids - Need "Hypoallergenic" Products?
Take a look at your shampoo label. Or read the label on any cosmetic product you buy for yourself or the kids. There's a good chance that your product carries the label "hypoallergenic." This sounds great, especially for "baby's delicate skin" or for your own "sensitive" skin. Hypoallergenic products certainly sound better for you- after all, who wants to risk getting hives or other signs of an allergic reaction?
Most people I have talked with don't understand exactly what they're buying when they purchase "hypoallergenic" products. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are no federal standards that govern the use of the term hypoallergenic. In other words, if you develop a cosmetic product and want to label it "hypoallergenic", you can. You don't have to submit a list of ingredients to anyone, you don't have to prove that the product causes fewer allergic reactions than others, and you don't even need permission from any regulatory agencies to use the term.
Since any manufacturer can market any product as "hypoallergenic", it essentially renders the term meaningless for the consumer. Years ago, when the term became popular, the FDA attempted to regulate use of the term by requiring that companies selling "hypoallergenic" products submit proof that their preparations actually led to fewer allergic skin reactions than others. U.S. courts subsequently overturned the regulation, allowing for free and unrestricted use of the term.
In the early days of cosmetic manufacture, certain ingredients were used that did sometimes lead to skin reactions. With advancing time and technology, these harsher ingredients have been essentially phased out of the cosmetic manufacturing process, according to the FDA.
You can think of the "hypoallergenic" label, then, as a marketing term. (like my favorite marketing term, "European" - as in "a blend of European botanicals tested in leading European salons". Is something "European" necessarily better?)
It's really impossible to guarantee that a specific product cannot provoke an allergic reaction in anyone. However, since the FDA does require that ingredients be listed on cosmetic labels, if you have had allergic reactions or problems with a specific substance in the past, you can avoid purchasing products that contain these substances.
Related Topics: Hypoallergenic Hype, Allegies and Cosmetics
Technorati Tags: hypoallergenic, skin allergies, cosmetics
Most people I have talked with don't understand exactly what they're buying when they purchase "hypoallergenic" products. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are no federal standards that govern the use of the term hypoallergenic. In other words, if you develop a cosmetic product and want to label it "hypoallergenic", you can. You don't have to submit a list of ingredients to anyone, you don't have to prove that the product causes fewer allergic reactions than others, and you don't even need permission from any regulatory agencies to use the term.
Since any manufacturer can market any product as "hypoallergenic", it essentially renders the term meaningless for the consumer. Years ago, when the term became popular, the FDA attempted to regulate use of the term by requiring that companies selling "hypoallergenic" products submit proof that their preparations actually led to fewer allergic skin reactions than others. U.S. courts subsequently overturned the regulation, allowing for free and unrestricted use of the term.
In the early days of cosmetic manufacture, certain ingredients were used that did sometimes lead to skin reactions. With advancing time and technology, these harsher ingredients have been essentially phased out of the cosmetic manufacturing process, according to the FDA.
You can think of the "hypoallergenic" label, then, as a marketing term. (like my favorite marketing term, "European" - as in "a blend of European botanicals tested in leading European salons". Is something "European" necessarily better?)
It's really impossible to guarantee that a specific product cannot provoke an allergic reaction in anyone. However, since the FDA does require that ingredients be listed on cosmetic labels, if you have had allergic reactions or problems with a specific substance in the past, you can avoid purchasing products that contain these substances.
Related Topics: Hypoallergenic Hype, Allegies and Cosmetics
Technorati Tags: hypoallergenic, skin allergies, cosmetics
4 Comments:
I remember in the late 70's and early 80's when pierced earrings were made with hypoallergenic metal. I tried them and found that they caused terrible infections in my ears. I have since learned that the only metal that can touch my skin must be at least 14kt gold, that includes earrings, rings, and watches.
When I was in my teens I tried wearing hypoallergenic earrings. I liked having many different styles of earrings and these were much more affordable than gold. I found out that the hypoallergenic earrings gave me terrible infections in my ears. I have since learned that all jewelry that touches my skin has to be at least 14kt gold.
I cannot find a place to ask this question. Should people drink water that has been treated by a water softener? I am 65 and beginning to have high blood pressure and I'm wondering about the salt from my softened water.
Hi Bill Pfeiffer,
I'm pretty sure that our Hypertension Center has the information you need. You might also try asking your question on our Hypertension message board.
Thank you!
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