Marcie Mom from EczemaBlues.com interviews Laura, CEO of VMV Hypoallergenics, to find out more about product claims and why they’re important when choosing your skin care…particularly if you or your child have eczema.

Non-Comedogenic

Q: I noticed that your products are listed as ‘non-comedogenic.’ Can you explain what this means?

A: Non-comedogenic means that a formulation will not clog pores, which is important to prevent acne. This isn’t normally a concern for someone with eczema, but acne prevention can be important for compliance. If a product is safe (will not cause reactions) and/or offers effective therapy…but also causes acne…then people are less likely to use it. Or, the product may create one more problem to deal with which complicates management and therapy.

A common misconception is that “Non-Comedogenic” is only important if you have oily skin. Studies are showing an increase in adult acne, and in various skin types. Of course, if you have dry skin (and certainly barrier-compromised skin), you don’t want a product that strips your skin of oil either, but “non-comedogenic” just means that the product will not clog pores — which isn’t the same thing. Or shouldn’t be the same thing (some formulations purposefully strip the skin of oils, which you don’t want). If acne has become an additional concern, a non-comedogenic, non-drying product without allergens is a great choice.

This article was originally published in eczemablues.com as one of a multi-part series focused on understanding and using products for sensitive skin. Inspired by her daughter Marcie who had eczema from two weeks old, Mei (aka MarcieMom) started EczemaBlues.com with the mission to turn eczema blues to bliss. In this series of interviews, MarcieMom interviews Laura, CEO of VMV Hypoallergenics, to learn more about product claims when choosing products to care for skin with eczema.