However, the same products used to enhance appearance can cause rash, redness, and itching in some people. People who experience these problems may be having an allergic reaction to the makeup they use every day. Simply put, an allergy is when the body overreacts to a substance that doesn't affect most people. Allergies to makeup ingredients are not uncommon and can make it difficult to find a product that works for you.
Makeup allergies can occur the first time you use a product or they can develop over time, so don't rule out your favorite foundation as the source of your skin problems. If you have itching, redness, swelling, or a rash where you've applied your makeup, it may be because you're allergic to it. To find out if the source of the problem is the product you've used, a dermatologist can perform skin allergy tests.
Continued use of a skin-irritating product can cause even more problems. You may develop contact dermatitis, a skin condition that can also be caused by soap, skin cleanser, deodorant, jewelry, and other items that come into constant contact with your skin. Contact dermatitis causes a red rash, bumps, and blisters in severe cases.
If you find out you have an allergy to a certain makeup, it can be difficult to know exactly which ingredient is causing your reaction. Unfortunately, the best way to find out may be through trial and error.
The causes of an allergic reaction depend on each individual. To learn more about what can trigger allergies to makeup ingredients, read on.
Every person is unique, and so are the substances that trigger allergies. An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance that it considers dangerous. This doesn't just apply to makeup – allergic reactions can be triggered by many things, from certain foods to pollen, and they can develop over a lifetime, meaning something you weren't allergic to before can suddenly become a problem. There's no cure for allergies, but there are steps you can take to improve your situation, especially when it comes to makeup.
Most adults use seven or more skin care products every day, from makeup and facial cleanser to body wash and deodorant. Just one ingredient in one of those products can be linked to an allergy or skin irritation. Studies have found that up to 10 percent of the population will have a reaction to a cosmetic product in their lifetime.
The ingredients most likely to cause an allergic reaction are fragrances, which are found in most skin care products. If you find that scented products irritate your skin, keep an eye out for “fragrance-free” products as well, as these can mean that a product may contain fragrance. In this case, the fragrance does not enhance the scent of the product, but simply masks the smell of the chemicals it contains. Look for the label “fragrance-free” or “unscented” to know that the cosmetic you are purchasing actually has no added fragrance.
Preservatives are another common allergen found in makeup. The culprits often have long, hard-to-pronounce names, like phenoxyethanol or imidazolidinyl urea. And if you're not sure whether something in your makeup bag contains a preservative or not, a general rule of thumb is that any cosmetic product that contains water should also contain a preservative.
While red, itchy rashes are common symptoms of makeup allergies, there are other telltale signs that your skin is reacting badly to makeup. To find out what to look out for, read on.
Signs of makeup allergy
If your makeup leaves your skin red and itchy (whether it's a product you've always used as a favorite or one you've just tried for the first time), you may have a makeup allergy. The most common signs of makeup allergy or skin irritation are rash, red bumps, itching, dry patches, blisters, and pain.
People who have reactions to cosmetics and other skin care products typically suffer from one of two conditions. The first, irritant contact dermatitis, occurs when the skin reacts to a substance, leaving itchy spots or a red rash. This skin irritation is more common than an actual allergic reaction and can affect anyone.
Especially with harsh substances, irritant contact dermatitis can appear after using a product just once. The second reaction, allergic contact dermatitis, is more severe and is a true allergy to an ingredient in a product you use. You may develop swelling, itching, and hives-like breakouts. Once a true allergy develops, it remains for life; even having a small amount of the substance on your skin can cause a major reaction.
Mild reactions can be treated by avoiding the product that caused them, but in more severe cases that persist and interfere with daily life, or appear to be infected, seek medical attention.
If you have suffered from makeup allergies, you should be very careful when purchasing cosmetics. For tips on how to do this, continue to the next page.
Safe makeup for allergy sufferers
To determine if you really do have a makeup allergy, you may need to see a dermatologist. He or she will likely perform an allergy test, in which a little of the substance you think you're allergic to is applied to your skin and then covered with tape. The doctor will examine your skin after 24 hours and again after 48 hours to see the extent of the reaction.
If you find that you have an allergy to an ingredient commonly used in makeup, the best way to avoid another allergic reaction is to buy products that do not contain that ingredient. Buying cosmetics that are simply marked “hypoallergenic” may not be the ideal solution. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not set what standards a product labeled hypoallergenic must meet, so manufacturers have a lot of freedom in using the term. Instead, if you know what ingredient is causing problems for your skin, be sure to read the label (which the FDA requires to list all ingredients) and make sure the product you want to buy does not contain the problematic substance.
To treat a case of mild skin irritation caused by a makeup reaction, stop using the product you think may be causing it, apply an anti-itch cream, and avoid scratching the area. If you're not sure which cosmetic is causing the problem, first eliminate those with added dyes and fragrances, which may be more likely to cause a reaction.
