Product Claims: What Does Dermatologist Tested Really Mean?

Many of the labels (in fact most), that you will find on personal care products claiming the product to be “cruelty free”, “biodegradable”, “dermatologist tested”, or “allergy tested” don't mean a darn thing. None of these claims are standardized by any regulatory body, nor are they ever verified. These claims are made on the part of the manufacturer, but rarely signify anything, other than an attempt on their part to make you believe their products will be safe to use on your skin.

Eco-lables.org is pioneering work in area little demystified by the mass media. They take you step-by-step label claims to tell you exactly what a claim on a product means. You can check out their web site and find out a lot more about product labeling for personal care products as well as food and cleaning products.

Below is printed an excerpt from their wed site relate to the term, “Dermatologist Tested”.

‘According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), manufacturers are not required to perform any tests or provide supporting evidence to demonstrate that products labeled “dermatologist-tested” were actually tested by a doctor and produced fewer allergic reactions than other products. The FDA also states that nearly all cosmetics are likely to cause an allergic reaction in certain sensitive people.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), fragrance is the number one cause of allergic reactions in cosmetics. AAD also states that there are over 5000 basic fragrances used in various cosmetic products including perfumes, colognes, skin care products, soaps, shampoos, lipsticks, sunscreens, and lotions. Preservatives are another example of a common trigger for allergic reactions in cosmetic products.

Since manufacturers are allowed to consider fragrances as trade secrets, the government does not require them to list the specific ingredients in a fragrance. As a result, consumers may not be able to identify the specific agent causing an allergic reaction from a cosmetic product. Read the listing on Dermatologist Tested labeling.’

Our products don’t flout buzzwords like “biodegradable” or “cruelty free” because we realize that there is confusion on the part of the consumer about what they really mean. We never test our product on animals, nor do we use products that are known to have been tested on animals. As the only non-food grade ingredient in our products is sodium hydroxide, an essential ingredient in cold-process soap making, there is no other possibility of animal testing being used on our raw materials.

As our products are made from food grade ingredients with little alteration, they follow a natural process of degradation you would find in the same ingredients in your home.

A very important element for consumers with sensitive skin to know: we never use artificial or synthetic fragrances in any of our products – and we always tell you everything that we put in our products, so that you can make an informed choice. Savon Pop products are only scented with pure essential oils, and unscented products are always available. Even some essential oils are not suitable for dry or sensitive skin, so make sure to check the recommendations on the products if you are not sure, or simply contact us to find out for sure. We’ll be happy to help you make the best choice to meet your needs.