Anti Aging Skin Care » Skin Allergy » Cosmetic Allergy

Cosmetic Allergy

Both men and women use cosmetics. Comparatively women use more cosmetics than men do. However, men use various products such as after shave lotions, moisturizers, creams and lotions on their face.

Cosmetics help to look good and young. However, some of the ingredients present in the cosmetics may cause skin problems that may take a long time to disappear after treatment. Therefore, it is better to know more about them.

Skin Cosmetics and Allergies-
There are two types of allergies caused by skin cosmetics such as Irritant Contact Dermatitis and Allergic Contact dermatitis.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis :
Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when the skin gets in contact with harshly irritating chemicals. In irritant contact dermatitis, the inflammation of the skin develops when it comes in contact with an ingredient. For instance if you touch an alkali you will damage your skin, this is irritant contact dermatitis. Usually cosmetics do not contain such harmful ingredients but even a most neutral material such as water can cause irritant contact dermatitis in most people if they are in touch with it for long.

Allergic Contact dermatitis :
Allergic contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction, originated from the body's immune system. Contact dermatitis may be due to some cosmetic allergy. In allergic contact dermatitis, you get an allergic flare up as soon as you are exposed to an ingredient.

Symptoms of cosmetics allergies :
The most common symptoms of allergies from cosmetics are inflammation in the infected skin area. The affected spot will show redness and swelling and most of the time those two symptoms are carried out with mild to severe itching.

The symptoms for cosmetics dermatitis are immediately seen after the skin come in contact with cosmetic products.

Symptoms for cosmetic allergy take place when the skin breaks down after contact with identified harsh substances. Upon contact, those substances immediately and directly will affect and injure the skin's outer layer.

Like any other form of allergies cosmetics allergy should not be treated as a disease. It is just a normal reaction as the body's protective immune system rejects foreign and harmful substances.

How to prevent cosmetic allergy

• If you are purchasing a cosmetic, first read the label of ingredients carefully. If you are aware of any of them that may cause dermatitis in you then do not use that product. Discover products or alternatives that do not contain such ingredients.
• It is recommended to perform a small test by using a new product first on the wrist and observe for reactions for twenty-four hours.
• Always purchase hypoallergenic and anti comedogenic products. Recognize all those ingredients that cause allergies and avoid any product that contains them. Save yourself from skin inflammations and colored patches and blisters.
• Spray perfume on your clothes and not on your skin. It will not harm if you take a number of precautions to avoid getting cosmetics allergy.
• Prevention is much better that treatment. Keep in mind cosmetic allergy is only treatable not curable.