Hypoallergenic? Non-comedogenic? What do these mean?

The terms hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and allergy-free are all unregulated terms. In some cases, these words just mean a team of dermatologists got together and determined for themselves what did and did not cause skin to break out or become sensitive to a particular product. There are no guidelines set by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) governing which products can say they are hypoallergenic, etc. Products with these descriptions are simply less likely to produce a reaction. You still may find yourself sensitive to a product, allergy-free or not. Ultimately, you’ll have to try the product before you’ll know if it will work for you.

A product claiming to be non-comedogenic won’t (or shouldn’t) clog your pores. Sometimes these products have fillers in them that actually can and do cause congestion. As with any and all products, monitor your skin when trying a new product or product line. If problems appear, there may be a problem with the new items.

For more information, see:

• Sensitive Skin: Q & A
• Sensitive Skin explained 
• Allergic Reactions to Products and The 72-Hour Test will help you determine which products may be causing problems