Sensitive skin can be a tough problem to combat and, over time, it might even make you reluctant to try any new products at all. The truth is, some products DO contain additives or preservatives that are known irritants for skin. This can make even those with regular skin get itchy on occasion! If you have sensitive skin, should you be shopping hypoallergenic skin care products to avoid this problem?
Truth About Hypoallergenic Products Just because the label says “hypoallergenic” does not mean you can use it without worry. In reality, the term hypoallergenic just means something “is less likely to cause an allergy.” Nothing is truly hypoallergenic, but there are formulas out there that don’t contain the allergens your skin may be responding to. At the very least, hypoallergenic formulas are milder and gentler than others, which cuts down on irritation. The trick is to find a line of products that work for your skin, and shopping hypoallergenic is at least a good place to start. The odds are in your favor that you’ll find something that doesn’t irritate you among this smaller pool of products.
Hypoallergenic Cleansers In particular, a hypoallergenic cleanser could make a big difference to your skin. Because they often use milder surfactants (or cleaning ingredients) that are a little gentler on the skin. You will still have to moisturize to avoid dryness and you might experience some irritation if you wash more frequently than recommended, but hypoallergenic cleansers could greatly improve your skin care routine. Try a hypoallergenic cleanser from a trusted brand like Perricone MD or Shiseido for a nice, mild alternative to what you’re using now.
Ingredients to Watch For Some companies, unfortunately, will label their products incorrectly as “hypoallergenic.” There is no FDA regulation for this term yet, so skin care companies can get away with mis-marketing products in this manner. The good news is, when you shop for hypoallergenic lotions, cleansers, and other products, you can easily make sure you’re getting what you pay for. Just read the ingredients list!
There are a few chemical ingredients known to cause irritation that should not appear on the label of a hypoallergenic product. If you see one of these listed, move on to the next product on the shelf:
Parabens, sometimes listed as propulparaben, methlyparaben, butlyparaben, ethylparaben, and isoparaben. Used as preservatives, these synthetic additives are big allergens for people with sensitive skin and may even damage the immune system!
Essential oils. While not a “bad” ingredient, you could be allergic to an oil like lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, rosemary, sandalwood, or something similar.
Extracts. Again, these are natural ingredients that could be an allergic trigger for you. Look out for popular ones like rosemary oil extract or grapefruit oil extract. If you KNOW you are not allergic to one of these extracts or the essential oils listed above, you are okay to use the product. If you’re not sure, try to find an alternative product.
Alcohols. These can irritate by over-drying the skin, so look out for things like isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, metahnol, SD alcohol, and ethanol on those labels.
Synthetic fragrances. These are a big culprit for allergic reactions. Shop for fragrance-free skin care products to avoid skin reactions, headaches, dizziness, rashes, and other discoloration.
