Product labels have been a fixture on the cosmetics counter for a very long time. Scientific jargon are plastered all over the counter’s jars and containers, from the words “hypoallergenic” to “unscented” to the all-too-popular “natural.” Do the words expressed on the bottles really have meaning behind them? Are understanding product labels pretty straightforward or is there more lying beneath the surface?

To start, many cosmetics and fragrances hail their products as being hypoallergenic. For the rookies, hypoallergenic products claim to cause little to no allergenic reactions than their counterparts. These are geared towards consumers who have sensitive skin who wish to have something gentle applied to them. Many cosmetic companies even tout the “hypoallergenic” word towards “normal skinned” people in an attempt to market.

The problem with hypoallergenic products is that there is no federal body that governs the use of the word and conducts tests for its validity. The Federal and Drug Administration turn a blind eye and impose no federal standards or regulations to the products under the “hypoallergenic” claim. On the whole, dermatologists have said that the word means little and does not provide enough incentive to buy.

Product labels across the cosmetic spectrum also include the words “fragrance free” and “unscented.” To most consumers, this means the product omits no particular odor. A rule of thumb in checking to see if there is fragrance (without having to read “fragrance free” in bold) is to examine the label. Most often, product labels list their ingredients according to importance. By checking the ingredient list, you can safeguard against unwanted ingredients that may over sensitize your skin.

Another popular claim on product labels, “cruelty free”, is also misleading. Current, no government regulations support this claim made by manufacturers. The phrase “not tested on animal” may only apply to the cosmetic company. Their raw material suppliers might conduct animal tests to determine their product safety. Any “cruelty-free” claim might also mean that the animal testing is not being done now, but could have been before.

Always make an attempt to read your product labels. Sometimes, what’s visible on the surface might not be the case. Realize that governmental regulations and the FDA do not have any control over what manufacturers claim on products. Like recent studies that have proven “anti-bacterial” soap is nothing more than regular soap, take any bold claim you read in stride.

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