Cosmetics allergy
Contact allergy to ingredients in make-up and skincare.
About cosmetics allergy
Cosmetic products, from make-up and moisturisers to shampoos, deodorants and nail products, are a frequent cause of allergic contact dermatitis. Most of these reactions are delayed, type IV responses appearing 12 to 72 hours after use, rather than immediate allergy. The trigger is usually a specific ingredient rather than the product as a whole, most often a fragrance, a preservative such as methylisothiazolinone, or a component of hair or nail products. Cosmetic allergy is common and can affect anyone, though it is seen more in women and in people who use many scented or leave-on products.
The rash is typically itchy and red, sometimes scaly, swollen or blistered, and appears where the product was applied, commonly the face, eyelids, neck, scalp margins or hands. Eyelid skin is especially sensitive and may react even to products applied elsewhere and transferred by the fingers. With continued use the dermatitis can become chronic. A reaction to one product often points to a shared ingredient across several items.
Diagnosis depends on patch testing by a dermatologist, which can pinpoint the responsible ingredient; skin-prick testing is not appropriate here. Management is identifying the culprit from ingredient labels and avoiding it, favouring fragrance-free and simpler formulations. Emollients aid recovery and topical steroids may be advised for flares. See your GP or dermatologist if a facial or eyelid rash keeps recurring or is hard to pin down.
Common triggers
- Cosmetics and products containing it
Symptoms
- Red, itchy rash (contact dermatitis)
- Dry, cracked or scaly skin
- Blistering or weeping in severe cases
- Burning or stinging where skin met the trigger
Avoidance & management
- Avoid skin contact with the trigger
- Wear gloves or use barrier creams
- Choose products labelled free from the allergen
- Rinse skin promptly after contact
- Use emollients or prescribed steroid creams
Sources & references
Allergy safety: what everyone should know
Mild-to-moderate reaction signs
- Itching, hives or a raised rash
- Swelling of lips, face or eyes
- Tingling mouth, sneezing, runny nose
- Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
Anaphylaxis — call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) immediately
- Difficult or noisy breathing, wheeze, persistent cough
- Swelling of the tongue or tightness in the throat
- Dizziness, collapse, pale and floppy (young children)
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen) at once if prescribed, then call an ambulance even if symptoms improve
Allergy or intolerance? A true allergy involves the immune system and can escalate quickly; an intolerance (e.g. lactose intolerance) is unpleasant but not life-threatening. The symptoms overlap, so self-diagnosis is unreliable.
Getting tested: home-testing kits based on IgG are not diagnostically valid. If you suspect an allergy, ask a GP for referral to an allergy clinic for skin-prick or specific-IgE testing and a supervised food challenge where appropriate.