Cosmetics and skincare products often come with lofty claims like "dermatologist tested" or "non-comedogenic." If you`re confused about what such claims really mean, you`re not alone. Our guide deciphers the most common products claims and reveals which ingredients are red flags.

Hypoallergenic or Irritant Free

Products labeled "hypoallergenic" or "designed for sensitive skin" shouldn`t cause an allergic reaction or irritation. This doesn`t mean you won`t have an allergic reaction. If you have sensitive skin or a low allergy threshold, always read product labels before using a new product. Red flag ingredients: fragrance, botanicals, camphor, alcohol, SD alcohol, cinnamon, citrus juices and oils, essential oils, parfum, Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfate, Sodium lauryl sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate, witch hazel.   

Allergy Tested

Cosmetics that have been allergy tested are a slightly better bet because they are probably free of common allergens. "Allergy tested" means that the product failed to cause irritation, inflammation or allergic reactions when tested. Stay safe and read the ingredients list-- and be alert to anything that`s caused a reaction in the past. Red flag ingredients: sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium C14-16 olefin and sulfonate.

Fragrance Free

For a product to be truly "fragrance free," it contains no fragrances or colorants or “parfums.” The fragrances added to products are the chief cause of irritation and allergic reactions. Fragrances are used in cosmetics because they mask the unpleasant smell of individual ingredients. “Fragrance free” products often turn off women. Also, many products made with botanicals or essential oils don`t list fragrance on their ingredients lists. Botanical and natural products often have very high irritation profiles. Red flag ingredients: fragrance, essential oils

Dermatologist Tested

This claim usually has more to do with marketing than hard data. "Dermatologist Tested" doesn`t say much about the actual product. Again, let the ingredient list be your guide.

Non-comedogenic and Comedogenic

Comedogenic ingredients are thought to clog the pores and eventually lead to pimples. Common comedogenic ingredients include: dimethicone, wheat germ oil, fatty acids, synthetic colors and lanolins. Non-comedogenic pretty much means that a given product is free of comedogenic ingredients.

Oil-Free

Oil-free products are water or silicone-based and don`t contain oils. However, just because a moisturizer is "oil-free" doesn`t mean it won`t cause clogged pores and breakouts. Similarly, not all oils are bad for oily or acne-prone skin. Many people believe that the only way to get clear skin is to dry it out. Over time, this leads to more problems. Certain oils, like Jojoba, help clear-up acne and balance the skin`s oils. Red flag ingredients: petrolatum, mineral oil.

Good bets for non-oily hydrators include: water-based serums, hyaluronic acid, and products containing ceramides or Sodium PCA.

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