Woman Is there an allergy to cosmetics? Tips to prevent and treat skin reactions

Allergies to cosmetics can appear at any time. Many women love to try new products. It is common for us to buy different brands of makeup, for a time to use certain types of creams, or later, due to changes in our skin, we need new treatments.

This means that at some point we can suffer an unexpected allergic reaction. In fact, it is estimated that almost 20% of the population is allergic to some component of cosmetics. That is why it is so important to know what element our skin has reacted to in order to avoid it in the future.

Whether it's with highlighter, makeup or shadows, we fall into temptation and try new products or recover those that remained abandoned, with the surprise that, on that occasion, they cause a skin reaction on our face or on our skin. the body. We immediately identify it as an allergy, but is this true or is it another skin problem? We clarify doubts about cosmetics and offer you some advice.

If after applying a make-up base or another cosmetic marks or itching appear, alarms immediately set off about a possible allergy. But this is not completely accurate since, sometimes, it can be due to an allergy to a specific component of these products and, in others, it is only a temporary irritation.

It must be taken into account that, despite the fact that cosmetics undergo a series of tests before arriving at the store and later controls are carried out to verify their chemical composition, this does not prevent people whose skin reacts in an unusual way. Many times it is due to sensitive skin, but it is also true that sometimes they are caused by misuse of the product.

In this sense, it is necessary to clarify that we refer to an inappropriate use of cosmetics when the product:

Keys to buy and keep cosmetics

- The essential thing is to buy in pharmacies or stores with accreditation that offer product guarantees. In addition, the products must be labeled and must indicate the composition and the manufacturer. If this is not the case, it is preferable that we do not buy them.

- When storing them, be careful with the temperature, humidity and light because it influences their condition! Likewise, we must review when the cosmetics we keep at home expire.

- There are cases in which an allergic reaction is confirmed and, in general, this is caused by contact with certain preservatives and fragrances that are part of its composition.

Parabens and other preservatives

There are some ingredients more likely to cause a reaction are the following:

- Parabens. Its presence is one of the frequent causes of allergy. These preservatives were often used until the 1990s; later they were replaced by other more economical, stable, with a defined action, such as those from isothiazolinones.

-Kathon CG. This is the name given to the preservatives that come from isothiazolinones and that we can find in some make-up, sunscreen... These substances are responsible for the vast majority of cases of contact allergy to cosmetics.

- Quaternium 15, Germall or Euxyl, from formaldehyde. They are other common preservatives in cosmetics, which are also allergenic substances that can cause skin reactions.

Fragrances in cosmetics

Hence the characteristic and pleasant smell of cosmetics that sometimes even contain a mixture of them. As with preservatives, some fragrances can cause an allergic skin response. This is the case, for example, of geraniol and lyral.

For this reason, in Europe it is mandatory that they appear indicated in the composition of the cosmetic. European regulations contemplate the mandatory declaration of 26 fragrances recognized for their allergic power.

Allergy or irritation?

To determine if the skin reaction is an allergy or irritation, it is necessary to go to the Allergology consultation and have our specialists carry out the appropriate allergy tests. In this way, they study the situation of each person and prepare the medical history.

It is essential to carry out a good data collection, even if it means that the patient brings each and every one of the cosmetics that they used at the time the lesions began to appear.

Contact tests

This type of test allows detecting the allergen that causes the secondary effect on the skin or ruling out the allergic hypothesis, confirming that it is a mild chronic irritation.

It consists of sticking on the back some patches that contain allergens and that vary according to the person. Standard or specific batteries can be used depending on what the patient indicates. They remain applied to the area for two days, without getting wet or being removed. After those 48 hours, they are removed to assess the first results. It is not necessary to reapply the dressings, but it is important to keep them from getting wet. Finally, the patient must return to the consultation for a second reading of the evolution at 96 hours.

For this reason, it is important to contact a specialist when we identify worrisome skin reactions after the application of a cosmetic, so that they can help us obtain a diagnosis before following inappropriate measures.

*Doctors Lourdes Arochena González and Mar Fernández Nieto are allergists at the Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital.

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