Are Elizabeth Arden Products Safe?

If you’re a beauty addict or skincare obsessive, you’ve probably already heard of Elizabeth Arden. 

Founded in New York in 1910, the Elizabeth Arden brand has since become one of the most dominant beauty and skincare labels in the world. Their range includes cosmetics, skincare products and fragrances, with a key focus on anti-ageing skincare. Arden’s own mantra, “To be beautiful is the birthright of every woman” persists to this day.

However, if you’re an allergy-sufferer or prefer to maintain a clean beauty routine, you might be wondering: are Elizabeth Arden products safe for me? To help you answer this question, we’ve created a comprehensive safety guide to the Elizabeth Arden range. Whether you’re looking to avoid parabens or certain allergens, we’ve covered everything you need to know.

Are Elizabeth Arden Products Safe?

To answer this question, we first have to interrogate what the word ‘safe’ means when it comes to beauty and skincare products. 

In general, when talking about “unsafe” beauty products, we’re typically referring to beauty products that contain ingredients such as carcinogens, phthalates, and other toxic materials.

Thankfully, there are no known toxic materials in Elizabeth Arden cosmetics or skincare products. 

In fact, according to SkinSafeProducts.com, 59 of the 65 Elizabeth Arden products listed on their website scored a safety rating of 90% or higher, with the lowest rating being 81%. The highest safety ratings were for some of Elizabeth’s Arden’s most popular skincare products, including Retinol Ceramide Capsules, PREVAGE Anti-Ageing Treatment, and Vitamin C Ceramide Capsules, which all scored a perfect 100% on the safety scale. 

Do Elizabeth Arden Products contain parabens?

Another ingredient some health-conscious shoppers look out for is “parabens.” You might see products marketing themselves as “paraben-free” - but what are parabens, and what makes parabens bad?

What are parabens?

Parabens are chemicals that prevent bacteria from growing inside beauty products. Parabens protect active ingredients, so that your beauty product can continue working once it’s been opened and used. You can find parabens in all types of beauty and skincare products, from cosmetics to skincare to shower gel and soap. 

Why are parabens bad?

When it comes to discussing the dangers of parabens, it’s important to note that a lot of voiced concerns on this subject are purely speculative. Some researchers consider parabens to be disruptive to the hormonal and reproductive system, although evidence on this is insufficient. 

Despite suggestions that they’re unsafe, Parabens are considered legally safe to use within the EU, which has some of the strictest rules and regulations when it comes to distributing beauty and skincare products.

Do Elizabeth Arden products contain parabens?

Like most beauty products, some Elizabeth Arden products contain parabens. However as we noted above, it’s important to note that both the EU and the FDA consider parabens to be safe to use in beauty products. Like many marketing techniques, the “paraben-free” trend appears to be just that - a trend. 

Are there any Elizabeth Arden allergy free products?

If you suffer from allergies or have sensitive skin, you might be wondering if you can use Elizabeth Arden products. The truth is, so many allergies exist that it’s impossible to describe any product as “allergy free,” especially a beauty product. 

Instead, we took a look at the key recurring ingredients in some of Elizabeth Arden’s most popular products, and analysed them for irritations and the potential allergic reactions.

• Idebenone. Idebenone is a potent antioxidant, but is unlikely to cause any allergic reactions or skin sensitivities.
• Ceramide Triple Complex. Ceramide Triple Complex is an Elizabeth Arden staple; as this contains natural lipids, you’re unlikely to experience an allergic reaction from this ingredient.
• Retinoids. Retinoids, also known as Vitamin A derivatives, can cause skin irritation, dryness, and sensitive skin. This is because retinoids increase cell turnover, rendering your skin delicate as well as sensitive to the sun. Allergies to retinoids are rare.
• Hyaluronic acid. Used in Elizabeth Arden’s famous Ceramide Capsules, hyaluronic acid is a natural compound. According to WebMD, an allergy to hyaluronic acid is unlikely but not impossible.

How to allergy test a beauty product

If you have sensitive skin or several allergies, it’s a good idea to patch-test all beauty and skincare products before using them. Here’s how to do a patch test at home:

• Ask for a sample of the beauty product. Some brands and companies won’t accept allergies as a valid reason for refunding the cost of your beauty product. Where possible, try to get a free sample of the product so you can test it before splurging your money. Where samples aren’t possible, you can scour eBay and try to find travel sizes, or sample sizes sold cheaply. 
• Apply a small amount of the beauty product to your jawline, behind the ears or the side of the neck. You’ll want to test the product in an area easily concealable if you have an allergic reaction.
• Keep antihistamines on hand. If you’re a long-time allergy sufferer, it’s a good idea to keep a packet of antihistamines readily available in case of a reaction. 
• Wait at least 48 hours. In order to truly determine that a skincare or beauty product is suitable for your skin, you need to wait a full 48 hours. During this time, make sure you don’t use any other beauty or skincare products on top of your testing area.

If you don’t experience any itching, redness, hives, swelling, or discolouration after 48 hours - yay! The product is most likely safe for you to use, and you can use it as normal per the label’s instructions.  

FAQs

Is Elizabeth Arden cruelty free?

Unfortunately, Elizabeth Arden is not a fully cruelty-free brand. While the brand does not test on animals themselves, Elizabeth Arden is owned by the Revlon corporation, which means that some Elizabeth Arden products are tested on animals during safety testing procedures. Elizabeth Arden products are also distributed in China, where animal testing is mandatory and a legal requirement for all cosmetic sales. However, many Elizabeth Arden products themselves are vegan-friendly. 

Is Elizabeth Arden good for sensitive skin?

Elizabeth Arden carries several products that would be suitable for sensitive skin. Those with sensitive skin might want to avoid the Elizabeth Arden PREVAGE range, as some users have noticed skin irritation after use.