What is a Hypoallergenic Mattress?

A hypoallergenic mattress is designed to minimise skin irritation and allergic reactions affecting the skin.

Hypoallergenic is not the same as anti-allergy. While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they actually refer to different mattress features and shouldn’t be confused.

I’m Hannah Shore, Head of Sleep Science here at Mattress Online, and I’m here to help you choose the best option by breaking down what ‘hypoallergenic’ really means, and what exactly makes a mattress hypoallergenic.

What does hypoallergenic mean?

Hypoallergenic means: ‘Having little tendency to cause an allergic reaction’¹. The term comes from the Greek prefix hypo, meaning 'less'.

For hypoallergenic mattresses and bedding, this means that they’re designed to minimise skin irritation. The materials used in these mattresses should be free from chemicals known to cause reactions.

Is hypoallergenic the same as anti-allergy?

No, hypoallergenic and anti-allergy are not the same.

Anti-allergy is defined as ‘used to prevent an allergic response: tending to relieve or control allergic symptoms’².

When it comes to mattresses, hypoallergenic and anti-allergy mattresses are often mistaken for the same thing, but they serve different purposes. Because of this, it can be challenging to know which mattress for allergies is right for your sleep needs. That's why I have put this helpful table together:

Hypoallergenic	Anti-Allergy
Reduces allergens but does not necessarily eliminate them	Actively treated to prevent allergens
Made from materials that are less likely to trigger allergies –  latex or memory foam	Often feature special treatments, like antimicrobial or dust mite-resistant coatings
Inhibits dust mites, mold, and bacteria growth, but does not actively remove allergens	Some have removable, washable covers with anti-allergy treatments to reduce exposure to allergens
Suitable for people with mild sensitivities	Better for individuals with severe allergies or asthma

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Hypoallergenic mattress certifications

There are several certifications you can look out for to help verify the safety and hypoallergenic properties of a mattress:

• REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals): Ensures any chemicals used in manufacturing meet legal safety standards³.
• OEKO-TEX Certification: Confirms that textiles have been tested for harmful substances and meets international requirements and regulations⁴.
• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): Certifies the processing, manufacturing and distribution of organic materials⁵.

While many mattresses are labelled as hypoallergenic, if you're highly sensitive to fabrics and materials, you should look for these certifications to minimise exposure to allergens like dust mites.

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How to find the best hypoallergenic mattress for you

Before choosing the best hypoallergenic mattress for your sleep needs, it’s important to understand which materials and treatments may trigger your specific skin sensitivities. With this knowledge, you can easily review our mattress descriptions to ensure they don’t contain ingredients you're sensitive to. 

While all of the materials used in our mattresses meet strict safety standards, I recommend checking for potential triggers if you have extra-sensitive skin. Many of our mattresses contain chemicals required to comply with UK fire safety regulations, but rest assured, all chemicals used in mattress production undergo thorough safety testing.

If you are sensitive to these chemicals, I offer a range of chemical-free mattresses for you to choose from.

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What are the benefits of a hypoallergenic mattress?

Here are the key benefits of hypoallergenic mattresses:

• Reduces skin irritation: Hypoallergenic mattresses are designed to be gentle on your skin, minimising potential discomfort.
• Promotes restful sleep: By minimising irritants, hypoallergenic mattresses help you sleep more soundly and wake up feeling refreshed.

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Choosing the right mattress can make a significant difference in managing allergies and sensitivities. Whether you need a hypoallergenic mattress or an anti-allergy mattress, look for products with the right certifications and consider anti-allergy bedding for additional protection if you suffer from allergies.

If allergies are disrupting your sleep, check out our ‘How to Sleep Better With Allergies’ guide for expert tips on managing allergies and creating an allergy-free sleep environment.

For tips and advice on getting a better night’s sleep, visit The Sleep Journal.

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References:

1. Oxford English Dictionary - Hypoallergenic (no date). Available at: https://www.oed.com/search/dictionary/?scope=Entries&q=hypoallergenic&tl=true. 
2. Anti-Allergic Definition & Meaning (no date) Merriam-Webster. Available at: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-allergic#:~:text=%3A%20used%20to%20prevent%20an%20allergic,commonly%20anti%2Dallergenic%20or%20antiallergenic. 
3. The REACH Regulation (no date) Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Available at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/reach-regulation#:~:text=The%20REACH%20Regulation%3A,certain%20hazardous%20chemicals%20and%20mixtures. 
4. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100: the original safety standard. (no date) OEKO. Available at: https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/oeko-tex-standard-100. 
5. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) (no date) Global Organic Textile Standard. Available at: https://textileexchange.org/glossary/global-organic-textile-standard-gots/.