Cosmetics that do not cause allergies - how to find it?

Do you change your cosmetics like gloves to finally find the one you are not allergic to? You are not alone, because skin hypersensitivity, allergies and irritations happen to us more and more often. Check out what you need to know about hypoallergenic cosmetics.

Scientists and allergists have long warned that climate change, air pollution and ubiquitous chemicals contribute to allergies. Today, every third Pole faces this. That is why it is so important to take care of the health and condition of our skin with the help of appropriate cosmetic products. 

Anyone who has ever struggled with a rash after applying a new mask knows that choosing a new skin care cosmetic is not easy. How can we be sure that the cream does not make us feel? Well, unfortunately, there is no certainty. Even a mild cosmetic formula can irritate the skin and cause allergy symptoms such as:

• rash,
• itching,
• redness,
• bakery,
• swelling.

With severe symptoms, you should contact a dermatologist and get tested for allergies. Then you know which commonly used cosmetic ingredients to avoid. And if the symptoms of hypersensitivity are mild and disappear quickly, you can look for cosmetics declared as hypoallergenic. However, regardless of what we find on the label, it is always worth testing and applying a new cosmetic product on the skin of the forearm, on its inner part. Usually after 48 hours you can be sure whether it is neutral for the skin or not.

Safe cosmetics

Until recently, every cream manufacturer had the right to use the slogan "hypoallergenic" on the packaging. However, for several months now, new rules have been in force, according to which such a slogan is mandatory. For what? Hypoallergenic cosmetics are those that minimize the risk of an allergic reaction. And with this in mind, it should be created. However, it is known that each, even the most delicate, ingredient can cause allergies, so if we take a hypoallergenic cream, the package insert or label should contain detailed information about the composition and tests confirming the minimum risk of allergies.

It's also worth looking for certificates issued by third parties such as AllergyCertified. Thanks to them, the cosmetic product is additionally “shown through” in terms of composition, sources of origin and all tests carried out.

Smell Before You Buy

Where to start looking for a safe cream? It turns out that we are most often allergic to the addition of fragrance. So let's sniff the makeup or make sure it's not perfumed. In the list of ingredients, aromatic additives are at the very end and It is worth mentioning those that appear most often:

• geraniol,
• linalool
• farnesol,
• Benzyl
• cinnamon,
• Coumarin.

You will not find them even in Embryolisse's light and soft nourishing and moisturizing cream. This famous cosmetic has become a favorite face cream for models and makeup artists thanks to its fragrance-free and versatile dermatologically tested formula.

Aside from a perfumed formula, cosmetics for sensitive skin should not be artificially colored, so if you see a cream, lotion, or lotion that is not white, make sure it is not an artificial additive.

Finally, the third group of ingredients that often cause allergies: preservatives. It is impossible to live without them, because cosmetics must be microbiologically clean. This means that without preservatives, the formula will become a repository for fungus, mold, viruses and bacteria within hours. Interestingly, parabens are the most studied and most commonly used group of preservatives. There is no evidence that they are harmful or toxic, so under new EU regulations, cosmetics manufacturers are no longer allowed to claim on their packaging that a cream is “paraben-free.” Either way, preservatives that replace parabens can affect the skin in different ways, so cosmetic chemists advise being careful with them. Alternative? You can look for cosmetics based on natural preservatives such as vitamins E and C. Make Me Bio Vitamin E Cucumber Extract Eye Cream is a delicate formula.

Natural doesn't mean safe

Many of us believe that cosmetics with a neutral composition have no right to sensitize. Unfortunately, it turned out that the ingredients of the cream with the highest allergenic potential are natural. Chamomile and its derivatives come first, followed by essential oils, especially those with strong scents such as mint, lemon or cinnamon.

The same applies to ingredients whose source is beeswax, then adding honey or pollen to cosmetics can cause an allergy to the cream.

Finally, fruit acids are worth mentioning as they can also cause allergies. Similarly, mineral oils such as petroleum jelly and paraffin, which can be found not only in creams, but also in all kinds of ointments. That is why it is worth looking for cosmetics marked: hypoallergenic, which will be the least risky, from the base to the active ingredients. Among such formulas, pharmacy cosmetics deserve special attention. Developed and tested under the close supervision of dermatologists, they have the lowest risk of allergy. As a rule, they contain the addition of soothing thermal water, in addition, they replenish lipids in the epidermis, regenerating the protective layer of the skin and making it more resistant to irritation. Avene Nourishing Revitalizing Face Cream is an example.

When looking for safe dermocosmetics for allergy sufferers, you can also try a soothing cream that is short and works well for atopic skin and does not contain dangerous ingredients, such as this Toleriane Sensitive Riche moisturizer from La Roche-Posay.

More information about cosmetics can be found in the section "I care about my beauty" on the website of the online magazine AvtoTachki Pasje.