The American Look

History

It all began in 1931, when cosmetics were heavy, full of fragrance and made with powerful chemicals and were much too harsh for Fanny May Woititz’s sensitive skin. Intrigued by the challenge of developing cosmetics that would work with his wife’s delicate complexion, her husband and chemist, Alfred Woititz, began to experiment with pure and gentle ingredients in makeup. With the help of dermatologist Dr. Marion Sulzberger, they created the first doctor-tested hypoallergenic, fragrance-free cosmetics line. combining their names (al + may), the Almay brand was born.

Today, Almay is committed to helping women look and feel their best by staying true to its heritage of using pure, hypoallergenic ingredients in our products.

Almay was the first hypoallergenic cosmetics brand, the first brand to make 100% fragrance-free products and to disclose all ingredients used, the first brand to perform safety testing for allergy and irritation, the first brand to formulate for contact lens wearers and, the first mass market brand to create cosmetic regimens for specific skin types.

Hypoallergenic

For over 80 years, Almay has been committed to helping women look and feel their best by staying true to its heritage of using pure, hypoallergenic ingredients.

Stringent Standards of Quality Control

Almay is so stringent that fewer than 500 of the over 10,000 ingredients available for use in cosmetics meet almay’s superior standards. Raw materials and finished products are closely monitored for quality and purity. All new ingredients are carefully screened for their potential for sensitization and toxicity.

Safety Evaluation

All products are assessed for irritancy, sensitizing potential and toxicity. Photo toxicity and photoallergy studies are done on a selective basis. Ophthalmology testing is conducted for products that, under conditions of normal usage, might contact the eye. Repeat insult patch tests are conducted on all products. Additionally, these tests are followed by clinically supervised use tests, in which human volunteers apply the products as intended in accordance with customary usage over an extended period. Safety tests are conducted under strict supervision by independent laboratories.

Microbial and Stability Testing

All products must pass a thorough microbiological challenge testing series to assure preservative efficacy. Extensive stability testing under a wide range of environmental conditions is performed to guarantee optimum shelf life and product integrity.

Comedogenicity Testing

Almay products have been tested and proven to be non-comedogenic.

Omission of Fragrances

All Almay products are fragrance free. Some almay formulations contain carefully selected botanical ingredients to enhance their efficacy.

Omission of Sensitizers and Photosensitizers

Almay does not use ingredients such as tosylamide/formaldehyde resin, urea-formaldehyde resin, paba and its esters, organic mercurials, formaldehyde, balsam compounds, d&c yellow no. 11, thimerosal, or methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone. Certain Almay products contain carmine, a color additive widely used in make-up, including make-up for sensitive skin. Carmine may cause sensitivity in a limited number of individuals.

Formulations by Skin Type

Almay products formulated for specific skin types are so noted. All almay products are formulated for sensitive skin types.

Safety Testing

Almay does not conduct animal testing and has not done so for over 20 years. We comprehensively test all of our products using the most technologically advanced methods available to ensure they are both innovative and safe to use. Products sold in other markets are subject to local rules and regulations. regulatory authorities in some countries conduct independent testing in order to satisfy their own mandatory registration requirements. Almay complies with all regulations in the countries in which our products are sold, and supports the advancement of non-animal testing alternatives and methodologies in our industry.