Although the term hypoallergenic when applied to any type of cosmetic may give the impression that the product is nonallergenic or at least much less allergenic than its competitors, this is not necessarily so. The origin of the term goes back about fifty years when a few companies began manufacturing cosmetics that did not contain ingredients that were commonly considered allergenic, such as certain fragrances. They called these cosmetics "hypoallergenic." Since that time, however, most manufacturers, particularly those in the United States, have realized that it makes good business sense to eliminate potential sensitizers from their products.

After all, they are looking to hold on to their clientele as well. My favorite response when asked about hypoallergenic products versus their unlabeled counterparts is to ask, "Which manufacturer would produce products that were potentially highly allergenic to many people?" What can be said is that, to their credit, manufacturers of hypoallergenic product lines generally make their ingredient lists more readily available to physicians who request them. It bears repeating that regardless of whether a product carries the label hypoallergenic or not, there is no product yet available that is nonallergenic.

There is much to be said, however, for reducing the number of ingredients in any topical preparation, cosmetic, or medication. The more ingredients a product contains, the more potential there is for allergic sensitization. For that reason, be wary of products labeled herbal, natural, or organic. While the association with the freshness of Mother Nature is appealing, such products usually contain a host of unnecessary substances that add little to the overall benefit of the product but much to its potential for allergenicity.

Finally, don't be fooled by phrases such as doctor-tested, dermatologist-tested, or allergy-tested, which are so frequently used in cosmetic advertising. These nebulous terms are intended to snare you into a sense of security, but what they don't tell you is who did the testing, how the tests were done, or how many tests were actually performed. Without this kind of important information, you really have little assurance of the product's value or its true potential for irritancy or allergenicity.