The truth is, allergic reactions to face creams are a common occurrence. In fact, an allergic skin reaction to cosmetic ingredients that make creams and body lotions happens all the time.
Allergic reactions can range from mildly irritated skin or red rash to more serious and adverse reaction symptoms including hives or raised bumps, swelling, itchy skin, breathing difficulties, and even an anaphylactic shock for people with very sensitive skin. In this post, we’ll dive deep and uncover the common culprits responsible for skin allergies
Why is my skin getting allergic reactions to creams?
Some people are allergic to certain ingredients in the cream such as lanolin derivatives (which come from wool), preservatives, or fragrance ingredients. Other common allergens found in cosmetic products include proteins that are found in some types of emulsifiers used in moisturizers like stearic acid which comes from animal fat.
Skin reactions can also be caused by immune system response to the compounds used in the creams, for example, methylisothiazolinone or MI which is a preservative found in many face creams. This compound can cause allergic contact dermatitis on the areas of your skin exposed to products containing MI.
Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when your skin becomes inflamed because of the product’s harsh chemicals, fragrances, synthetic dyes, preservatives, and other ingredients found in beauty products. Sometimes it’s difficult to determine what triggers allergic reaction because there could be more than one ingredient in the face cream.
What to do if you get an allergic reaction to beauty products
A healthcare professional medical advice on potential allergens is that you should read the label carefully to identify any ingredients that may cause allergies. The bottom line is, If you are allergic or sensitive to a particular ingredient, avoid it.
- – Avoid products with fragrances and scents as these can irritate your skin too. Get fragrance free products for personal care
- – Even if you use essential oil for its therapeutic benefits, don’t apply it directly to your skin. Always use a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil to dilute the essential oils before applying them over your body and face.
- – If you feel allergic, discontinue using that specific product right away and seek medical advice diagnosis from a dermatologist for further treatment
How long does an allergic reaction to face cream last?
With severe allergies in sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth, and neck, allergic symptoms can persist for several days. If you have a mild allergic reaction, your skin may feel itchy or uncomfortable soon after using the product. The effects of an allergic reaction to beauty products will usually go away within hours or one day.
If you have a severe allergic reaction, it may last for several days. Seek medical advice as soon as possible to address the symptoms and prevent them from getting worse. Severe allergic reactions like facial swelling or breathing problems need immediate emergency care at an ER or hospital setting.
Final thoughts on allergic reactions
If you are experiencing an allergic reaction to your skincare product, the best thing to do is stop using it. You can also try applying a moisturizer that does not contain any of the ingredients in the offending cream or lotion.
For more information on how to manage irritating and uncomfortable allergies, check out our blog page for tips on what causes facial allergies and effective ways to manage them!