Cosmetic Allergies (cont.)
What can I do to prevent cosmetic reactions?
There are several steps you can take to try and avoid cosmetic allergy
reactions, including:
- Read the list of ingredients on all cosmetic products. If you find an
ingredient that has caused a reaction in the past, don't use that product. Keep
track of ingredients that have caused reactions, and look for products that do
not contain those ingredients.
- When considering a new product, do a "mini-patch test" first to see
if it causes a reaction. Put a sample of the product on your inner wrist or
elbow and wait 24 hours to see if a reaction occurs.
- Keep it simple. Choose products with simple formulas. More ingredients mean
more potential allergens. With fewer ingredients, it's also easier to pinpoint
the source if you do have a reaction.
- Apply perfume to your clothes rather than your skin, and allow the perfume
to dry before putting on the clothes.
- Be especially careful with makeup because it stays in contact with the skin
for a long time. Look for products that are hypoallergenic, fragrance free, and
non-comedogenic, although products with these labels may still cause
reactions.
Making sense of product labels
To get the best benefit from cosmetics and skin care products, it's
important to be aware of each product's ingredients and to look for and avoid
ingredients that are known allergens for you. To make this easier, the FDA
requires cosmetic manufacturers to list the ingredients on the product label.
Ingredients are listed in descending order of amount. Keep in mind, however,
that trade secrets (including certain fragrances) do not have to be
specifically listed.
Also, keep in mind that products labeled "unscented" or
"fragrance free" may still contain small amounts of fragrances needed
to cover the odor of other chemical ingredients. "Natural" generally
means that the product includes ingredients extracted from plants or animal
products rather than ingredients produced chemically. Products labeled
"non-comedogenic" do not contain ingredients that commonly clog pores,
which can lead to acne.
Labeling of cosmetics can be helpful when looking for specific ingredients,
but be wary of certain product claims. For example, many products use the term
"hypoallergenic," although there are no regulations or standards for
use of this term. "Hypoallergenic" suggests that a product is less
likely than another, similar product to cause an allergic reaction, but
manufacturers are not required to prove this claim. In addition, products
labeled "organic" are not less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
Just remember: There is no cosmetic product that can guarantee never to produce
an allergic reaction.
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