Cosmetic Allergies / Makeup Allergy Symptoms & Treatment

Makeup has become part of daily life and we rely on so many cosmetic products for different purpose , sometime even the Luxury Beauty product can also irritate your skin . Cosmetic allergies is a threat to all pretty skin and face .

Beauty is essential but maintaining a healthy skin is equally important. People use external substances (cosmetics) to enhance their beauty. Cosmetics can be defined as a beauty substance which is used to enhance the external appearance of oneself being the face, hair or skin. The most commonly used cosmetics are lipstick, mascara, perfumes, shampoo, hair dyes and many more. Even the luxury skin care product can cause you irritation , it may not be necessarily the product fault but sometimes some particular product doesn’t suit your skin type .

Cosmetic allergies – Test, prevention, treatment and home remedies

Cosmetic Allergy can be defined as the unexpected or abnormal behaviour of the skin due to the reaction of allergens in the cosmetics applied .Allergens are nothing but the substances which reacts with the body’s immune system to cause allergy. These cosmetics have their own advantages as well as disadvantages. As per the studies ,10% of the overall population are prone to at least one cosmetic allergies .Most of them are self-diagnosed and self-treated.

Cosmetics contain various ingredients like the inert materials, botanical substances and the essential oils .Studies tell that women on average use seven kinds of cosmetics per day. Hence they are more prone to the reaction of any one allergen reaction with skin. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) ensures the product is safe for the workers handling them and for the use of customers.

Testing – Cosmetic Allergies

Inorder to stay out from the threat of Cosmetic Skin allergy / makeup allergy one has to test the product , a patch test can be useful to prevent many sort of cosmetic allergies .

Before using any of the cosmetic products we need to carry out testing. This is done mainly to avoid a long term allergy caused by the product. The most susceptible part to get affected is the skin. The common symptoms that are seen are small rashes , blisters, itchy scaly skin (Irritant contact dermitius –damage of skin on contact) or when the body gets allergic to specific ingredients in that product used which develops itching,swelling,redness (Allergic contact dermatitis– affects the immune system).

How to do Patch Test for Allergy

Makeup Patch test is carried out before the use of any cosmetic is used. Patch test is a method to know if a person is allergic to any of the substances used by applying the substance in a patch or in light scratch on the skin .It is then observed for 24 to 48 hours and if no reaction is observed the substance can be safely used by the individual. Some individuals also try using the substance on their wrist forehand or inside their elbows and checking it before use .The elimination technique is also used where the person has to first stop using all the cosmetic products and then every two or three weeks reintroduce a new substance to see what’s causing the reaction.

Makeup Allergy / Cosmetic Allergies Prevention

There are basic cosmetic allergy precautions needed before using any cosmetic product. The common ones are listed below:

Firstly know the allergens that you are allergic to. Before purchasing a product read the ingredients used and avid buying the product which contains the allergen you were allergic previously when used.
Hypoallergenic and fragrance free products are more preferable.
Before buying the product, place a small amount on your inner wrist or elbow and observe for 24 hours (Mini patch test).If no reaction has been observed it is safe to use that product.
Don’t use any products if you have an infection for few days or till the doctor insists .Discard the products used previously.
Check for the manufacture and expiry date before purchasing any product
Use minimal used ingredients product to minimise potential allergens.
Apply perfume on your clothes and not on skin.
Always wash your hands and face before using makeup and also be extra careful while applying makeup to your face as it stays contact with skin for a longer duration.
Never share your cosmetics especially the makeup used on the face with others as it might transfer germs.
Consult a dermatologist before using any product if you have a very sensitive skin.

Makeup Allergy / Cosmetic Allergies Treatment

Before getting a cosmetic allergy allergy treated we should know the causes for the same. The most common causes are hypersensitivity skin, high concentration of specific ingredient, abrupt change from one product to another or expiry dated use of product. The allergy may be mild or severe.

If the allergy is mild, the allergy either vanishes by itself after a period of time by avoiding that product use or by using home remedies. This can also be cured by using 1% hydrocortisone cream without any medical treatment or doctor’s prescription.

Doctor’s Note : If your allergy is not mild , take a medical advise immediately because sometimes allergies can lead to even death of a person . Some cosmetic allergies can be a slow poison that can give you many after effects as well. Consult a doctor to stay relaxed . Consulting a medical specialist is the best solution advised .

Home remedies for Cosmetic Allergy & Makeup Allergy

There are various home remedies which are safer and easily available .Lets discuss commonly used ones below:

Coconut Oil: It contains natural antibacterial agents which fight against clogged pores to disinfect the skin and keep it moisturized. Used for cosmetic skin allergies such as redness and itching and helps in soothing the skin. Apply it on the infected are using a cotton ball.
Honey: It’s used as a coolant for treating various skin allergies. It is directly applied on the infected area and is allowed to absorb into the skin .Used for makeup allergies and unclogging skin pores
Turmeric: It contains anti-inflammatory substances and gives a cooling effect to the affected areas and cools the skin. It can be used directly on the affected area with honey or yogurt.
Aloe Vera: The extract of the leaf has a very cooling affect and helps in treating irritated skin and skin inflation. Wash the affected area and apply the gel extracted and let it dry.
Baking Soda: It used as a natural scrub to get rid of makeup allergy. This can be used in form of a paste or water solution as it removes dead cells and unblocks clogged pores.
Lemon: It’s used for itchy skin. Take lemon juice with dry hands and apply on the affected area.
Other commonly used are apple cider vinegar, green tea, sandalwood paste, neem, olive oil, rose water, basil leaves and many more.

Precautionary Note on Cosmetic allergies : Apple cider vinegar , Baking soda & Lemon use this only if you are pretty sure that it doesn’t over irritates your skin .

To conclude, cosmetics are essential but in a minimal and natural way. Use natural makeup products and natural cosmetics to stay away from Cosmetic allergies .