According to the American Academy of Dermatology, most of us use at least seven different cosmetic products each day. And even though we rely on these products to help us feel more beautiful, there are ingredients present in many cosmetics that can cause allergic reactions in many users.

How do I Know if I’m Allergic?

Your skin can have two main reactions to cosmetics – irritation and allergy.

Irritation is more common than allergy and it usually develops from an instance where a particularly harsh or irritating substance damages the skin. Continued use of the substance usually leads to further irritation and symptoms that include areas of itchy scaly skin or a red rash where the initial damage occurred. In some cases, a simple irritation can develop into a more severe reaction – especially if the skin is further damaged by scratching. Areas where the skin is thin and sensitive (like around your eyes) are especially susceptible to this kind of reaction.

Allergies occur when you are allergic to a specific ingredient in a product. No damage to the skin needs to occur to create the reaction. Symptoms can range from redness and itching to hive-like break outs. While your face, lips, eyes, ears and neck are the most common areas for an allergic reaction to surface, it can actually show up anywhere on your body – even if the product never contacted that area.

How can I Prevent Reactions to my Cosmetics?

Unfortunately, the only way to know if you will react to a particular ingredient – either as an irritation or as an allergy – is to try it. But rather than simply starting to use a new product as you normally would, try a patch test instead. Apply some of the product to the inside of your wrist or elbow and leave it in place for 24 hours to see if you have any adverse reactions to it.

Another way to keep your risks at a minimum is to look for cosmetics that list simple formulas. The more ingredients listed, the higher your chance of having a reaction to something in the product. If you know an ingredient irritates your skin or causes an allergic reaction, be sure to check the label for it.

Unfortunately, the label may not tell you everything you need to know. There are several terms that cosmetic companies freely use in their marketing campaigns that sound wonderful, but are not regulated by the FDA. For instance, a company may claim that a product is hypoallergenic (will not cause allergic reactions) but the company is not required by law to prove it.

Similarly, terms like “fragrance free” and “unscented” are acceptable as long as the product itself does not give off a perceptible odor. Fragrances used to mask other odors are allowed and are often included, so check the label. Since ingredients are listed in descending order, be sure to check the last few ingredients closely – a small amount of a fragrance can go a long way. But bear in mind that certain ingredients that the company regards as “trade secrets” are not required to be listed anywhere.

Known Irritants

According to the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, the most common causes of allergic and irritant reactions are the fragrances and preservatives used in cosmetics. If you have reactions to cosmetics, avoid products that list preservatives like methylparaben, propylparaben and butlyparaben. Lanolin, a common ingredient in many moisturizers, is also a know cause of allergies in some people.

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