In most bathrooms, cosmetics can be found in a variety of different products. Whether for the face, hands, hair or body, these products have one thing in common: they are used for care and for their own beauty. But some ingredients can also trigger allergies instead of well-being. The skin is then not gently cared for, but suffers and makes itself felt through rashes, swelling, spots or itching.
Skin problems due to cosmetics?
Certain ingredients in cosmetic products are blamed for causing allergies and inflammation of the skin. But one thing first: many different factors play a role in an allergy. It depends not only on the ingredient itself, but also, for example, in what concentration it is present in the cosmetic.
The reaction to the ingredient can also vary greatly from person to person. The severity of a skin irritation depends, among other things, on the condition of the skin. Is the skin rather thick or thin, generally rather sensitive or robust?
In any case, caution is advised in the use of cosmetics on children, because children’s skin is much more permeable and often reacts much more sensitively than the skin of adults.
Preservatives and fragrances often culprits
Among the most common allergy triggers in cosmetics are preservatives and fragrances. But again, what these ingredients are made of in each case is the determining factor. Cosmetic products that are manufactured in large quantities are usually enriched with animal fats, synthetic fragrances and many chemical additives such as emulsifiers and stabilizers. High-quality cosmetics also consist of fats, oils and fragrances, but here the raw materials are added on a vegetable basis.
But natural cosmetics can also trigger allergies. This is because people who are prone to allergies can also react to the individual plant extracts. Especially those who already suffer from hay fever or food allergies have a greater risk of also reacting sensitively to plant extracts that come into direct contact with the skin.
Tests bring clarity
Those who know they are sensitive can see a possible reaction of the body with a small test on the crook of the arm. To do this, simply apply the cosmetics to the skin in the crook of the arm. The skin here is extremely thin and sensitive. If the tested cosmetic product is tolerated on the skin in the crook of the arm, it can usually be used on the whole body.
An exact and binding result can of course only be obtained by means of an allergy test by a dermatologist. But at first it is not so easy to assign a reaction of the skin to a certain product.
After all, women in particular use many different cosmetics throughout the day. Especially since the skin does not necessarily react allergically directly to an allergen. Often hours have already passed after use before a first reaction occurs.
Even cosmetic products that have been well tolerated for several years can suddenly stress the skin and trigger allergies and inflammatory reactions. On the other hand, those who already know exactly what they are reacting to would do best to avoid the ingredient in the future.
Transparency for the cosmetics user
To protect the consumer, it is required by law throughout the EU that all ingredients and additives in cosmetics are indicated directly on the product. The ingredients used must be listed in decreasing order of proportion. Ingredients that are at the top of the INCI list are accordingly the highest dosed.
INCI stands for International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient. However, this is often criticized by consumer advocates and the cosmetics users themselves, since the ingredients are listed with the Latin name and are thus usually not to be seen through at first glance.
Recommendation for sensitive skin
For sensitive skin is therefore always recommended cosmetics that contain neither fragrances nor preservatives. Please do not be deceived by the statement “fragrance neutral”. This in no way means that there are no perfumes or fragrances in the cosmetics, but simply states that the product does not have a strong inherent odor.
