Dermatologist tested – what does it mean?
July 1, 2009 by Jo · Leave a Comment
Dermatologist Tested or Dermatologist Approved has become increasingly common in the last few years on the label of skin care products and in advertising on television and in magazines and newspapers.
But what does this actually mean?
Does this mean that this particular skin care product has been scientifically studied by the dermatologist and approved on the basis of these studies? Does it mean that the product has been used extensively throughout his practice and after his long term considered use of the product he has then given it his seal of approval?
Unfortunately, in reality this expression could mean that they have used the product once and tested it on themselves or just given verbal approval of the product and it has then won the right to call itself Dermatologist Approved. They may have even been paid to endorse the product.
An advertisement with a picture of someone in a white coat and Dermatologist Tested or Approved in the copy can lead the consumer to make all manner of assumptions that aren’t justified. That somehow this product has an official seal of approval.
Of course this is not always the case but as with all marketing claims and advertising that pushes the boundaries, it pays the consumer to be aware of the way they can be manipulated.
Hypoallergenic – what does it mean?
June 25, 2009 by Jo · Leave a Comment
Many cosmetic and skin care companies claim that their products are hypoallergenic.
Just what does this mean?
Hypoallergenic can mean just about whatever a cosmetic company can claim for it to be.The term is not regulated by any authority in Australia and in the United States.
Literally it means hypo – meaning low and allergenic as in is likely to cause an allergic reaction. Therefore when we see this term on a product we make the assumption that the product is not going to cause an allergic reaction and is therefore free of irritating ingredients.
The consumer needs to look further at the list of ingredients in the skin care products they are choosing to buy and not making an automatic assumption that the product they are buying is not free of any irritating ingredients. This is articulary important for those with sensitive skins or those people who have an ingredient they suspect can cause them problems.
Unfortunately there are products on the market that are not deserving of the hypoallergenic label.