Hypoallergenic moisturisers may contain toxic chemicals

A recent scientific study found that a number of moisturisers marketed as “hypoallergenic” may not actually be so hypoallergenic in reality.

A medical journal reportedly discovered that some products labelled as “fragrance free” or “hypoallergenic”, which should therefore be suitable for people suffering from sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema, may still carry toxic chemicals that irritate the skin.

This surely goes against the whole idea of such products in the first place.

Moisturisers can retain and add moisture to the skin, reduce inflammation and prevent infection. Being widely available, it’s often much cheaper and accessible than prescription remedies. However, consumers may not be aware of the adverse reactions they may get with over-the-counter products, especially when manufacturers and distributors plaster misleading labels all over them, according to some reports.

The study researchers enlisted the help of major retailers Amazon, Target and Walmart by asking them for a list of their top, best-selling body moisturisers. They then conducted studies to see how well each product moisturised the skin and whether or not any of them contained ingredients that might cause an allergic reaction. They also analysed the price of the products to see what the customers were really paying for.

Of the 174 products tested, only 21 reportedly didn’t contain any allergens. A vast majority of the products contained fragrance, parabens and tocopherol; allergens that can cause or exacerbate rashes and skin conditions.

Around 83% of moisturisers labelled as “hypoallergenic” reportedly contained at least one allergen, and 45% of products with the label “fragrance free” apparently had a fragrance or a botanical ingredient.

The study also found to reflect a correlation between using these labels and the prices they charge. It seems that manufacturers are therefore charging more for products with these labels, even though their product might not be as gentle as perceived.

Head of the study, Dr Shuai (Steve) Xu, warned that, just because a product says hypoallergenic or suitable for people with sensitive skin or eczema, customers shouldn’t always believe it. Xu noted that “trusting the labels is not enough”. He added, “Making sure there are as few ingredients as possible is also a good thing to double check.” Just like in your food, check the list of ingredients to see what’s in the product.

Those who suffer from skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis often seek effective remedies and spend a lot of money and effort buying all sorts of creams and ointments to keep their skin moisturised; but it seems like some manufacturers may be taking advantage of this by marketing their products as a non-irritant when in fact they’re charging more for little or no positive effect for the consumer.

The study concluded that:

“… when making recommendations to patients with skin conditions that benefit from over-the-counter moisturiser use, dermatologists should consider recommending widely available and affordable products with a low risk of potential allergenicity.”