What “Hypoallergenic” Means on a Label

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“Hypoallergenic” is one of the most familiar words on a skincare label. It sounds precise. In the US, it isn’t. In what “clean beauty” marketing leaves out, we covered it in a single line. Here’s the fuller picture.

What the FDA says

According to the FDA, there are no federal standards or definitions that govern the term “hypoallergenic” on cosmetics. In the agency’s words, the term means whatever a particular company wants it to mean.

• There’s no set test a product must pass to use the word
• There’s no minimum amount of testing
• Companies aren’t required to submit evidence for the claim to the FDA

A short history

The FDA did try to define the word. A rule first proposed in 1974 would have required human studies showing that a product caused fewer skin reactions than similar products. Several companies challenged it, and a federal appeals court found the rule invalid. No new definition has replaced it.

What the word can and can’t tell you

• It can signal that a company designed the product with sensitive skin in mind
• It doesn’t tell you which ingredients were left out, or why
• It doesn’t tell you how, or whether, the product was tested
• It doesn’t mean the product won’t bother your skin

Many companies do careful work behind the word. The label alone just can’t show you what that work was.

Related label terms

• “Dermatologist tested” means a dermatologist was involved in some kind of testing. It doesn’t say what was tested, on how many people, or what the results were.
• “For sensitive skin” and “fragrance-free” have no federal standard or definition either, according to the FDA.
• “Unscented” products can still contain ingredients added to mask a smell.

What to do instead

1. Read the ingredient list. The FDA requires one on cosmetics sold in stores, though fragrance ingredients may be listed simply as “fragrance.” Our post on how to read a skincare label walks through it.
2. Skip ingredients you already know bother you. That list matters more than any front-of-pack word.
3. Ask the company. If you still have questions, the FDA suggests contacting the manufacturer listed on the label.
4. Patch test anything new. Here’s how to patch test a new skincare product.
5. Get help if reactions keep happening. A board-certified dermatologist can help you find the cause.

Where Reyic fits

A short ingredient list is easier to check. Most Reyic balms are grass-fed tallow and olive oil, handmade in the USA. Some jars add named essential oils. Au Naturel is just tallow and olive oil, with no essential oils or added fragrance. Any ingredient can bother someone, so patch test any new jar. For everyday use on rough winter hands, see our guide to dry, cracked hands.

FAQ

Does “hypoallergenic” mean a product won’t cause a reaction?

No. In the US, the word has no federal definition, so it doesn’t promise anything on its own. Patch testing is still worth doing.

Is “hypoallergenic” the same as “fragrance-free”?

No. They’re separate claims, and according to the FDA, neither has a federal standard or definition.

Where should I start with Reyic?

Start with Au Naturel, the unscented jar, or compare every balm in the grass-fed tallow balm collection.

If your skin is reactive, read our careful guide for reactive, sensitive skin, and patch test Au Naturel before regular use.