We are asked on a regular basis if our products are hypoallergenic. It’s a great question, and an important one, especially for those with sensitive skin. But there is a challenge with the word hypoallergenic that many consumers don’t know about. The official definition of hypoallergenic is “unlikely to cause an allergic reaction” but there are no federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term. What this means is companies can, unfortunately, use the word without necessarily having to produce any evidence to support the claim. The FDA weighed in on the use of this term in 2017, saying “the term means whatever a particular company wants it to mean.”
As humans, we encounter hundreds of potential allergens on an everyday basis like food, clothing, perfume, detergent, pollen, and even medication. It is often difficult to isolate an exact cause when a person does have an allergic reaction. The best thing you can do for your skin and your health is to look for products that have evidentiary support of their claims and be warry of any product that claims to be hypoallergenic but doesn’t offer any support.
All of our formulas are tested at outside, independent laboratories for irritant potential. All have been categorized as “non-irritants,” with our Apricot Shampoo & Body Wash actually scoring better (less irritating) than J & J Baby Shampoo. We do have evidence to back up our assertion that our products are mild and appropriate for use on sensitive skin. But just because our products are categorized as non-irritants, we still feel it would be irresponsible for any company to assert that their product is totally non-irritating to the entire general population. People can be sensitive to all sorts of things, many of which are used in even the most natural skincare products.
Long story short – do your research and work with companies that back up their claims with research.
Documentation of the FDA’s position on the term “hypoallergenic” can be found here:
For additional questions feel free to reach out to us at sales@centralsolutions.com