NPR

'Hypoallergenic' And 'Fragrance-Free' Moisturizer Claims Are Often False

People with skin conditions like eczema need moisturizers to treat their dry, cracked and reddened skin. But research suggests many moisturizers are mislabled and can make the skin conditions worse.
A recent test by dermatologists found that 83 percent of the top-selling moisturizers that are labeled "hypoallergenic"contained a potentially allergenic chemical.

For most people, buying a "fragrance-free" or "hypoallergenic" moisturizer that turns out to be neither, might be frustrating, but not harmful. But for people with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema or psoriasis it can be a big problem.

"I will start to itch and I have to get it off my body right away," says 62-year-old Kathryn Walter, who lives in Ann

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