The beauty and skincare industry is very popular. All over social media, users are sharing tips and tricks about their favorite products and routines. Many retailers now offer a wide range of skincare products from all over the world, including South Korea and France.
Due to this widespread popularity, it can be difficult to find skincare products that are both safe and effective. Many find that a product may solve a problem, such as acne, but inadvertently causes another problem, like flaky skin. Additionally, some products may contain ingredients like formaldehyde or quaternium-15, which can actually damage the skin.
Because of this, hypoallergenic skincare has been on the rise. But, what does this mean? Why is this popular? How do people know if they would benefit from using hypoallergenic products? Continue reading to learn more!
What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?
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When a product is hypoallergenic it’s less likely to cause an allergic reaction. You can buy a lot of other things besides skincare that are hypoallergenic from bed sheets to certain breeds of cats and dogs.
These products are great for people with allergies or sensitive conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. They are less likely to irritate your skin and cause other problems, like rashes, to occur.
It’s important to note that there is no universal consensus on what makes a product hypoallergenic. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have a standard or certification for hypoallergenic products.
Additionally, people should still be careful when using hypoallergenic products. Although they do contain less allergens and may use more natural ingredients, you can still come into contact with an ingredient that you’re allergic to.
Who Should Use Hypoallergenic Skincare?
As mentioned, people with allergies and certain skin conditions are the most likely to benefit from using hypoallergenic skincare products. However, there are other, lesser known conditions that people may experience.
Contact dermatitis is a very common skin condition that occurs when someone’s skin comes into contact with an irritating substance or a substance they’re allergic to. Many believe that they have random rashes or patches of dry skin on their face, but they could actually be allergic to an ingredient in their skincare routine. Common irritants include fragrance, dyes, and parabens.
People with acne-prone skin can also benefit from using hypoallergenic goods. Many of these products do not have ingredients that cause clogged pores, which can help reduce the formation of pimples.
Furthermore, those who are prone to dry skin may also want to give hypoallergenic skincare a try. Alcohol is absent from many of the products. Alcohol dries out the skin and can cause flakiness.
In general, those who have sensitive skin and those who are worried about having an allergic reaction to certain ingredients might benefit from using hypoallergenic products.
Why Is Hypoallergenic Skincare Popular?
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One reason hypoallergenic skincare is popular is due to the popularity of skincare itself. In the United States, the skincare industry is forecasted to grow by almost 19 percent, which is 37.6 billion USD. As more and more people enter the consumer pool, there is a need to have products catered to those with allergies and sensitive skin.
There’s also the issue of developing allergies. Although some people may develop contact dermatitis after the first use of a product, it may take weeks or even years for others to develop an allergic reaction. Some people are switching over to hypoallergenic products because they simply cannot tolerate the ones that they’re used to.
Lastly, there is some growing awareness about contact dermatitis and other related skin conditions. Some people are cautious about developing allergies and may want to stick to hypoallergenic products to avoid that risk.
Hypoallergenic Solutions
Many companies label their products as hypoallergenic, and there are a multitude of ways that they are able to lower the amount of allergens in their ingredients list.
Many products are fragrance-free due to the amount of allergic reactions they have caused. If a skincare product has fragrance in it, it may now be a reformulated version, without the allergy causing chemical.
Other products use natural extracts from the plant that they are trying to emulate in their products. So, if a hypoallergenic eye mask says that its soothing properties are similar to cucumbers, it may have actual cucumber extract in it.
Organic skincare products often fall under the hypoallergenic umbrella as well. Organic products also tend to use more natural and fewer ingredients. Their formulation may also be gentler on the skin.
Ozone skin products are also a new but notable hypoallergenic solution. The body naturally produces ozone (activated oxygen). By supplementing the skin with additional ozone, the skin can boost its repair rate which is especially helpful for those with sensitive skin. When coupled with other natural ingredients, like black seed cream, one can achieve healthy and radiant skin without the allergens.