What hypoallergenic means here

“Hypoallergenic” is a claim made by manufacturers. It is not a standard. For cosmetics, the US Food and Drug Administration states that there are no federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term, that it means whatever a particular company wants it to mean, and that makers do not have to send FDA substantiation for the claim. We have not found a legal definition for bedding, jewellery or laundry products either, and we do not treat the word as a guarantee on any page of this site.

What we check instead

Each guide looks for evidence that sits behind the word, and the evidence depends on the category:

• Bedding, pillows and mattress protectors: a named certification such as the Asthma & Allergy Friendly mark or OEKO-TEX Standard 100, or the stated fabric and fill materials. These certifications measure different things, and each guide says which one a product carries. See how to read an allergy certification.
• Earrings and jewellery: the metal and its stated grade or standard, plus a nickel statement from the maker. Terms such as “surgical” or “medical” without a designation are not treated as a grade.
• Personal care, makeup and laundry: the maker’s published ingredient list for that exact product, read against our watch lists of common fragrance and preservative contact-allergen names.

Two ways a product can appear

A product can appear because its maker uses the word “hypoallergenic” and also publishes a specification we can read. In that case the claim is reported as the maker’s, with a label such as “Stated by the maker” and the date. Or a product can appear because it meets every criterion for its category even though the maker does not use the word. Those products carry the label “Meets our criteria; the maker doesn’t call it hypoallergenic”, with the reason. Both routes are set out in full in the review criteria, which are versioned and carry a changelog.

What this does not mean

Meeting a criterion is a statement about what a maker’s page, label or certification record shows on the date we read it. It is not a statement that a product is suitable for a particular person, and it is not a prediction that anyone will not react. Formulas and materials change, so check the label of the item you buy. If you have reacted to a product or have a diagnosed allergy, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or allergy specialist; see the medical and legal disclaimer. For a longer explanation with sources, read what “hypoallergenic” means.