subject: The Truth About Hypoallergenic Products [print this page] You might be shocked to learn that many products labeled "hypoallergenic" will actually cause skin inflammation. Learn what's in your products to keep your sensitive skin healthy and safe. Find out more about your cosmetics and other skin care products. So even if you are diligent about only buying hypoallergenic products, you might not be doing yourself much good. There are NO industry standards for cosmetics or other skin care products. Many of them just remove the fragrance components, and slap on a "hypoallergenic" label. Without fragrance or artificial colours, consumers are more likely to just assume that the products are free of harsh chemicals. Many still contain sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, or propylene glycol, all of which are well known to be irritating to sensitive skin. Finding Better Products Watch your own skin reactions. It doesn't matter if the label says "hypoallergenic" or not, your skin will know the difference. If something bothers you, go over the ingredient list. Watch out for chemicals like: paraben compounds, alcohol, aluminum, mineral oil, fragrances, or propylene glycol. Even some natural components, like herbs or botanicals can irritate your skin. Once you establish which ingredients bother your skin, watch for them next time you shop. Don't rely on the obvious "hypoallergenic" labels. Choosing Safer Hypoallergenic Products Take is slowly when trying a new product. Very sensitive skin can react severely, so only use a little bit of any new product until you know it's safe for you. The best idea is to test a product on the inside of your arm first. It's much better to have an itchy or red reaction on your arm instead of all over your face. If there are no problems after a few days, then you can try it on your face. You should also never assume that an entire line of products is safe for you just because one or two products are fine. You need to always take each new product slowly. Never test more than 1 new skin product at a time either. So overall, never assume that any hypoallergenic product will be safe for you to use. Always do your own testing and keep track of the ingredients when you find a product that irritates you.
