Hypoallergenic cosmetics

For the past four years, the Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) has been working to clear up this

confusion of claims by establishing testing requirements that

would determine which products really are hypoallergenic. But

late last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of

Columbia ruled that FDA’s regulation defining hypoallergenic

was invalid. This means there is now no regulation specifically

defining or governing the use of the term hypoallergenic or

similar claims. And because of the lengthy procedural steps

required to establish a new regulation that is likely to be the

situation for some time to come.

Where does that leave consumers?

Consumers concerned about allergic reactions from

cosmetics should understand one basic fact: there is no such

thing as a non-allergenic cosmetic — that is, cosmetic that can

be guaranteed never to produce an allergic reaction.

By and large, the basic ingredients in so-called

hypoallergenic cosmetics are the same as those used in other

cosmetics sold for the same purposes. Years ago, some

cosmetics contained harsh ingredients that had a high potential

for causing adverse reactions. B ut these ingredients are no

longer used. FDA knows of no scientific studies which show

that hypoallergenic cosmetics or products making similar

claims actually cause fewer adverse reactions than competing

conventional products.

Margaret Morrison. Internet: www.fda.gov (with adaptations).