Do you love doing makeup? Well, who doesn’t? It makes you feel beautiful and confident, isn’t it! Some cosmetics accentuate your beauty and others are said to be necessary for skin care. From shampoos to colognes to variety of lip stains, moisturizers, you use them all. But many times your beloved beauty products land you in trouble causing a cosmetic allergy.
Your skin is a sensitive organ especially that of your face and can get irritated easily. The cosmetics you use are complex substances made using fragrances, emulsifiers, pigments, resins, metals, preservatives and may contain botanical products too that might not suit your skin and cause an allergic reaction. This article discusses with you everything about cosmetic allergies and the ways to clear them.
Table of Contents
What elements in makeup trigger skin allergies?
Your makeup products have numerous constituents that may cause an allergic reaction. Some of the common triggers are:
- Fragrances: The synthetic fragrance ingredients present in the products irritate your skin resulting in an allergic reaction. Even those fragrance-free products might contain scents to cover up the chemical smells. They may not smell but can irritate your skin.
- Preservatives: Most products that are liquid make use of preservatives like parabens, formaldehyde, etc., that are known to trigger allergic skin reactions.
- Metals: Metals like cobalt, lead, chromium, aluminum, etc., are commonly used in products like hair dyes, antiperspirants, and other cosmetics. These are also known to cause allergic reactions.
- Sulfates: Chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate present in body washes, shampoos, and even baby soaps may also cause an allergic reaction.
- Essential oils: Not everything natural is right for your skin. Essential oils are potent plant extracts and may irritate sensitive skin.
- Acids: The chemical peels, products for acne treatment, removing oiliness, etc., contain acids like salicylic acid that can also cause allergic reactions.
How to calm a cosmetic allergies reaction?
Cosmetics do benefit you in numerous ways, but these have some side-effects too. Different products may act differently on different skin types so you might never know how your skin will react to a particular product. Also, every product that claims to get tested for allergens might not have undergone proper testing. As such the probability of developing a reaction is quite high.
However, if you have developed an allergic reaction, then you must not worry as there are simple home remedies that can help you out in treating it. The following are some of the easy ways to calm the skin reactions.
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is one of the most potent natural remedies which can not only treat a reaction, but it also nourishes your skin and makes it much healthier. The cooling effect of aloe vera soothes the burning and irritation caused by the allergic reaction. Further, it has skin nourishing properties that hydrate your skin and speed up its recovery.
How to use?
- Take an aloe vera leaf
- Cut it and squeeze out aloe vera gel
- Wash your face thoroughly and apply the freshly extracted aloe vera gel on it.
- Leave it on to dry
- After that, rinse your face
- Use the gel, two times a day to reduce the allergy symptoms.
2. Honey
The sweet and delicious honey is known to be beneficial for your skin. Applying it not only improves skin texture but can also help in easing symptoms of makeup allergy. It is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory and thus can effectively reduce the signs of the allergy like itching and swelling. Further, being immunoregulatory, it quickens the process of healing and restores your healthy skin.
How to use?
- Apply honey on the affected area
- Leave it for about thirty minutes so that it gets absorbed in your skin
- After that, wash off with water
- Repeat the process three to four times in a day to ease the reaction symptoms.
Also Read: Honey, the Best Remedy for Allergy Treatment
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Another household ingredient that can come handy for treating makeup allergy is Apple cider vinegar. This dark, viscous liquid obtained from fermenting apples has anti-inflammatory properties that can manage the symptoms of allergy like swelling and redness. Further, it soothes the skin and eases the itching and redness.
How to use?
- Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in three teaspoons of water
- Apply the solution using a cotton ball on the affected region
- Let it dry
- After that, wash the area with cold water
Also Read: 4 Potent Methods of Using Apple Cider Vinegar for Allergies
4. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is another useful home remedy that can treat cosmetic allergy and readily reduce the symptoms of it. It is anti-bacterial and can be quite effective against skin allergies. Using it disinfects the skin area and opens up the clogged pores. Further, it is a natural emollient that effectively moisturizes your skin and nourishes it.
How to use?
- Apply the oil using a cotton ball on the affected area
- Let it absorb into your skin
- Use the oil regularly to reduce the redness and itchiness caused by the reaction.
5. Neem
Neem has a long list of benefits. The medicinal properties of it can effectively treat numerous conditions including acne, pigmentation to skin infection and even rashes caused due to makeup allergy. Application of neem can reduce the symptoms like redness and rashes. Besides, it also gives your skin a healthy glow and decreases its aging.
How to use?
- Take three to four neem leaves
- Crush them
- Apply the crushed leaves directly on your skin
- Leave it on for fifteen to twenty minutes and then rinse your face
- Repeat the process two times a day to see a reduction in the allergy symptoms.
6. Lemon
The sour and tangy lemons are what you look for every time you suffer from skin trouble. It is because lemons contain unusual properties that can heal various conditions and these are undoubtedly effective in treating makeup allergies too. The anti-inflammatory effect of lemon juice eases the redness and swelling caused due to the reaction. Further, the antibacterial properties of it keep the microbes at bay and prevent infection.
How to use?
- Take a lemon
- Cut it into half and squeeze out the juice
- To the juice, add a cup of warm water
- Mix the ingredients well.
- Apply the mixture on the affected area with a cotton ball
- Let dry and then wash off
- You can repeat it several times a day to clear the allergy symptoms.
7. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural exfoliator that can help in clearing your skin of all the dirt and toxins that may cause an allergy. It is one of the most resourceful kitchen ingredients when it comes to skin issues. Baking soda can aid in removing dead skin cells and build-up of chemical products, and thus it opens up the clogged skin pores. Further, it has a soothing effect on your skin and aids you in getting rid of swelling and skin irritation.
How to use?
- Add a teaspoon of baking soda to two teaspoons of coconut oil
- Mix them to get a creamy paste
- Apply the mixture on the area with rashes
- Leave it for fifteen to twenty minutes
- Once it dries, wash the face with warm water
8. Green Tea
Green tea, full of antioxidants is known to benefit you in numerous ways. From delaying the signs of aging to improving skin texture, reducing acne and inflammation, the wondrous beverage can do it all. It can also treat the symptoms of makeup allergy, by soothing the skin and easing the redness, swelling, and itchiness.
How to use?
- Add green tea bags to a cup of water
- Let them brew for sometime
- Discard the tea bags and let the tea cool
- After that, pour the tea into an ice cube tray and let it freeze
- Apply these green tea ice cubes on your face for five to ten minutes
- Repeat it as and when you want to ease the allergy symptoms.
9. Rosewater
Many of you might be using rosewater as a part of your daily skin care regime, and those who aren’t using it must add it immediately to their daily care routine as it can benefit your skin in numerous ways. Further, the anti-inflammatory and cooling properties of it soothe the allergic reaction caused due to makeup.
How to use?
- Pour a few drops of rosewater on a cotton swab
- Apply it on your face
- Let it dry
- Use it daily to get relief from the symptoms of the allergy
10. Banana and cucumber
Make a facial mask using banana and cucumber and bid goodbye to irritated skin. The facial mask effectively reduces the inflammation and redness caused by the makeup allergy and gives you flawless skin quickly.
How to use?
- Chop half a banana and a quarter of a peeled cucumber
- Add them to a food processor
- Blend to make a smooth paste
- Apply the paste on your face and leave it for thirty to forty minutes
- After that, wash it off with a gentle cleanser
- Repeat it several times for a couple of days to reduce the allergy symptoms.
Tips to remember:
Allergic reactions due to makeup products are common and can range from mild rashes to severe conditions that may cause swelling. Here are some prevention tips that may help you out in avoiding a skin reaction due to makeup.
- Keep your cosmetics fresh. The cosmetics have a shelf life beyond which they should not be used. Using bad products is one of the prime causes of developing an allergic reaction. Also keep the sponges, brushes and other applicators clean.
- Have a look at the label. You must check for the ingredients in the products. Pick products that contain fewer ingredients and do not comprise the common allergy-causing ingredients like parabens.
- Before using a new product, always do a skin patch test. Apply a small amount of it on the inside of your elbow and wait for at least 48 to 72 hours as makeup allergies mostly appear after a day. If the area shows symptoms of a reaction like redness, itching, burning or swelling, then wash the area and do not use the product again.
- Always apply fragrances to your clothes rather than on the skin. The irritants in scents are the most common cause of skin reactions. Applying the perfumes over clothes also prevents the chemicals of your fragrance from interacting with other products that you have used on skin which may cause an allergic reaction.
- Use products that contain Vitamin E. Vitamin E are known to be beneficial for your skin and keep it healthy.
- Always clean the makeup before hitting the bed.
- If you have developed an allergic reaction then consult your dermatologist to identify the cause of the response and to avoid it in the future.
Maintaining your skin health is important. Your skin gets exposed to so many products on a daily basis that it can easily get damaged. While many products are made keeping your skin’s health in mind, there are also products that use low-quality ingredients and fillers that may harm your skin. Hence, you should be wise in picking up the correct skincare product for yourself. However, if you still develop an allergy then try the remedies mentioned above, that treat it naturally and are safe for your skin.