Hypo-Allergenic, Dermatologically Tested or PH Neutral?

The Voedsel en Warenauthoriteit (VWA) (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) authorises the sale of skincare products in the Netherlands. These products must meet statutory requirements. Their website contains information about the use of cosmetics claims regarding hypo-allergenic, dermatologically tested and neutral pH. Good to know!

Hypo-allergenic

“The term hypo-allergenic on a skincare product label suggests that the product concerned has little or no chance of causing an allergic reaction to the skin. The term is not legally defined and so therefore free to use. The term offers no guarantee for people who do have an allergy. The so called ‘ingredient declaration’ on the product offers a much better guarantee. Consumers who know that they are allergic to a certain substance in skincare products can, with the help of the statutory required listing of ingredients thereon stated, make a choice over the most suitable product for themselves”.

Dermatologically tested

“Dermatologically tested means that the manufacturer has had the product tested (by doctors) on volunteers. The term gives no indication of the results of the testing. The quality of the research, or the extent of the group of volunteers used is not defined in the statement. So except for the fact that an investigation must have taken place, the term ‘dermatologically tested’ is free to use and has no legal content.”

pH neutral

“With the term pH neutral there is an indication that a product has an acidity level which is close to that of the skin. This term is very often seen on soaps, bath and shower products. However there are other factors that play a more important role in the tolerability of these products than the pH value. An important example is which soap or perfume is used. The term ‘pH neutral’ doesn’t tell you anything about this.”

Regards Jetske.

(Dr. Jetske Ultee-Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology)

Read more here about the effectiveness of antioxidants in a cream,
the best eye cream and
human fat in skincare products.