What’s Frustrating Your Skin?
If opening your makeup bag feels like walking across the middle of a field because you’re unsure of the product that could cause an itchy skin rash or a painful breakout, you must look closer at your beauty allergies. A staggering 25% of Americans will likely experience an allergic reaction to their skin at some point. This isn’t shocking given that over 3,700 chemicals have been classified as irritants to contact — that is, they can cause an allergic skin reaction, and many of them are found in the products you’re using every day. The more you know them, the more likely you are to prevent issues. Here are a few of the most commonly used ingredients that irritate and soothing options.
Aluminum Compounds
If your armpits turn yellow or peel whenever you rub your antiperspirant and your armpits start to peel, you could be sensitive to aluminum-based compounds found in most of them, claims Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of clinical and cosmetic research within the dermatology department located at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. The more potent your protection against wetness is, the more likely you will experience an allergic reaction.
Soothing substitute: Use a natural deodorant, such as Tom’s from Maine and Arm & Hammer. “They do a fine job of masking odor but aren’t great at preventing sweating,” Zeichner says. If you’re concerned about pits on your skin, you can try Dove’s skin-friendly antiperspirant that is sensitive, and you might be able to tolerate it since it’s shallow in levels of aluminum.
Acids
Logically, any product that sheds off skin cells may sometimes cause more harm than benefit. The list below comprises salicylic acid, which is an oil-soluble beta hydroxy acid used to treat oily and acne-prone complexion; topical retinoids, which help normalize the process of maturation of skin cells and aid in stimulating collagen; and glycolic acid, which is a water-soluble alpha-hydroxy acid, which is the main ingredient in many chemical peels. “All of these can cause skin irritation, dryness, redness and/or burning if you over-use them,” Zeichner warns. Zeichner.
Soothing exchange: Consult your dermatologist and carefully adhere to the usage guidelines for any topical products at home containing salicylic acid or retinoids. You might need to start using fewer products and then increase your use to once a day or reduce it to every two or three days until you discover a level your skin can tolerate. If you are allergic to glycolic peels, you can try using a vitamin C or fruit enzyme peel or stick to non-chemical exfoliation methods, such as gentle scrubs.
Fragrance
According to environmental health experts from the University of Washington, synthetic fragrances could irritate more than twenty percent of Americans, causing skin irritations such as rashes and coughing, headaches, wheezing, and other respiratory disturbances. “And fragrance doesn’t just mean perfume — it’s used in almost every beauty product under the sun,” Siobhan O’Connor is co-author of “No More Dirty Looks: The Truth About Your Beauty Products and the Ultimate Guide to Clean and Safe Cosmetics.” Fragrance ingredients could be found in products labeled “unscented” because companies use specific fragrance chemicals referred to as masking agents to make products that aren’t scent-free.
Soothing exchange: If you’re sensitive to fragrance, avoid products that contain”fragrance” in their name “fragrance” on their ingredient label. Instead, look at “fragrance-free” alternatives.
Metals
If you are sensitive to nickel (found in costume jewelry as well as the plating of snaps and buttons made from metal) or other metals, beware of cobalt. It is a component in various personal care products, such as antiperspirants and lighter brown hair dyes, Zeichner warns. Other metals found in cosmetics include aluminum, chrome, and lead.
Soothing substitute: Try a natural deodorant and experiment with any mineral makeup product or other cosmetic that could contain metallic pigments to ensure that you aren’t allergic when applying it to sensitive skin.
Emollients
“Emollients are ingredients designed to feel good on your skin,” claims Perry Romanowski, a cosmetic scientist and co-founder of BeautyBrains.com. “But many of them can cause breakouts, especially for acne-prone skin.” It would be best to beous about emollients, including coconut butter, lanolin isopropyl Palmitate, isostearyl isosterate, and myristyl lactate.
Soothing exchange: If you’re susceptible to breakouts, Selecta is a non-comedogenic, water-based moisturizer that can aid in maintaining your skin’s water content without clogging pores.
Sulfates
Laureth sulfate sodium and laurel sulfate are detergents from shampoos and bath soap to infant shampoo. If you’re suffering from an ongoing eye or skin irritation, it might be time to give these detergents some time. “I have known these chemicals to cause rashes, blemishes, and eye irritation,” O’Connor explains. “Not to mention, they are incredibly drying to your hair and skin.”
Soothing substitute: Check ingredient lists to stay clear of these ingredients. “They’re usually right there at the top of the list,” O’Connor says. “Fortunately, most natural and organic shampoos do not contain them and are gentler on your hair to boot.”
Essential Oils
If you want cosmetics from the local health store, remember that the natural option isn’t always the best. “Essential oils are natural but they can cause irritation in some people, particularly in the form of rashes,” O’Connor says. They are often added to shampoos, conditioners, cosmetics, and body creams.
A soothing substitute: “If you suspect that you’re reacting to an essential oil, try to isolate which one so you can look for it on ingredient lists,” O’Connor suggests. O’Connor. “Unlike synthetic fragrances, most companies using essential oils will list them out separately, which makes them easier to spot and avoid.”