The Simple Truth About Hypoallergenic Skincare May Shock You

Hypoallegenic skincare is a spelling mistake. The original word is hypoallergenic (with an R). But since thousands of people spell it hypoallegenic, this article will use the spelling all through.

The word was created by an advertiser in 1953. It just means having a decreased tendency to provoke an allergic reaction -- such as hypoallegenic cosmetics. It's supposed to refer to products that won't cause you allergic reactions. But whether it's hypoallegenic skincare or hypoallergenic skincare, the word has no medical or scientific meaning.

It SOUNDS scientific. That's why it was invented, and why it's found all over the cosmetic world. But it's just an advertising claim. If you want to avoid allergic reactions, can you buy good hypoallegenic skincare products? Absolutely. I'll tell you about some great ones. But try to have a sense of humor about the meaningless claims and meaningless words you see.

Here's my very favorite question and answer from one of my favorite hypoallegenic skincare manufacturers:

Q: Are the products Non-Comedogenic?

A: Yes

That's it. No long-winded claims, just YES.

In case you're asking, "What's Non-Comedogenic?" well, I don't blame you. It's another invented word, but it means that the skincare product won't block pores, and therefore won't cause inflammation or encourage pimples.

This manufacturer doesn't even USE the word "hypoallegenic" or "hypoallergenic" -- probably because everybody uses it and it doesn't really mean anything.

If you're looking for hypoallegenic skincare, you need to avoid ingredients that cause allergic reactions. And here are some tips:

1. Avoid these ingredients, some of the most common found in so-called "hypoallegenic skincare" products: petrolatum or petroleum jelly (the ingredient in Vaseline), liquid paraffin, paraffin wax, or any mineral oil -- all of them clog the pores and strip the natural oils from the skin; PEG (polyethylene glycol), parabens (methyl, butyl and ethyl paraben) and acrylamide -- all can cause inflammation and are suspected carcinogens.

2. Look for a product whose ingredients have been tested in clinical studies. And not just one ingredient; if all ingredients haven't been tested for safety and effectiveness, what are they doing in a hypoallegenic skincare product?

3. Check that the manufacturer has been keeping up with the latest science in skin care. It's not your job to track the research -- you have a busy life, after all. But the manufacturer should say -- in simple English -- exactly what's in their product, and why each ingredient is there.

For details and specifics on genuine, effective hypoallegenic skincare products, see my website.

Kathryn Lane is a health and nutrition researcher. The most valuable and effective products she finds are rarely the most expensive or the most-advertised, she reports on her website: http://www.health-and-skin-site.com/