Makeup is a beauty enhancement many women swear by. The majority of women around the world put on some type of makeup every day. Some women love to completely transform their face with makeup, while others strive for a more subtle look.
Regardless of what your preference is, makeup is a great way to freshen your look. Below is a closer look at makeup and different tips regarding allergic reactions to the various brands found on the market.
A Variety of Cosmetic Brands
When it comes to the cosmetics industry, there are many brands for women to choose from. These brands range in price from affordable to very expensive. Regardless of the brand, makeup can have ingredients that cause different allergic reactions in women. Fortunately, there are a few tips and steps you can take to ensure you are not allergic to your preferred cosmetics.
Use Natural Makeup
If your skin is sensitive, you may want to consider using organic makeup so you do not run into any issues regarding skin irritations. This makeup does not contain synthetic preservatives that can irritate your skin or cause you to break out in a rash. Organic products are usually made with minimal ingredients, so the odds of a bad reaction are slim.
Practice Good Hygiene When Using Makeup
Before applying makeup to your face, make sure you wash your hands. If you have an eye infection, make sure you do not apply any makeup to the eyes or any areas around them. Throw away all of the products being used when you first discovered the infection.
Makeup does last a long time, but all products have an expiration date. Usually, makeup products should not be used for more than a year after they are opened. If you do not wear a lot of makeup, find a way to keep track of the time since the makeup was opened. Once the year is up, throw the makeup away, regardless if it is empty or still full.
It is well worth bearing in mind that you will be using your hands extensively when applying makeup and that means there is always the opportunity to transfer germs to your skin, which could cause an allergic reaction. Be mindful about washing your hands thoroughly before starting your makeup routine and keep your nails clean and as short as possible.
Cross-contamination is another potential issue that you have to be mindful of.
Use a specific spatula and a mixing palette to avoid the prospect of so-called double-dipping that allows bacteria the opportunity to traverse from one product to the other. It would also be advisable to sanitize your mixing palettes and spatulas before you begin your routine.
Test Products Before You Purchase
If you are aware of your skin’s tendencies, ask makeup counters for free samples before you commit to buying larger quantities of products. This way, you are able to use the samples for a few days to determine if your skin can handle the ingredients found in the makeup. Labels such as “non-irritating,” “hypoallergenic,” and “allergy-tested” are not guaranteed to help you purchase products that are compatible with your skin type.
It is always a good idea to have a sense of what ingredients are likely to trigger an allergic reaction and you can start to build a picture of what to avoid over a period of time.
In the meantime, a good starting point would be to make yourself aware of the certain skincare ingredients that are known to have the ability to cause an allergic reaction.
Aluminum compounds are used in some antiperspirant products, for example, and if you notice that your skin reddens after each use that may be a big pointer that you need to switch to something that has very low levels of aluminum.
Avoid Makeup Products Containing Acid
If you are using a product designed to cleanse your skin it stands to reason that there might be an ingredient that is being used to remove some of your skin cells with a degree of efficiency. For example, salicylic acid is regularly used in acne treatment products, and glycolic acid is an active ingredient in a large number of chemical peels.
Finding ingredients that trigger an allergic reaction can be a bit of trial and error, unfortunately, but you might be able to reduce the risk by checking for a list of ingredients that are known to be the source of a potential skin reaction.
Use Caution When Applying Mascara or Eyeliner
Mascara and eyeliner are two popular beauty products women swear by when it comes to making their eyes appear bigger and more beautiful. However, if not used properly, mascara and eyeliner can cause discomfort to the eye area.
When wearing mascara, never start at the roots of your lashes. This is because you do not want to introduce any germs close to your eyes. The same thing applies to eyeliner. Never use the pencil on your inner eyelids. Instead, run the pencil under your eyes if you choose to wear eyeliner on the top and bottom parts of your eyes.
Makeup is a wonderful thing, but women must be careful when they use it on a daily basis. Make sure the makeup is not too old and clean your brushes often.
Finally, you should also take into consideration any pre-existing or underlying conditions that might be a contributory factor with regards to allergic reactions. If you are prone to cold sores, or eczema, for example, it is a good idea to get some professional guidance about the products you intend to use before you go ahead.
Taking this safety-first approach should ensure that you minimize the risk of suffering an allergic reaction to the skincare products you are using.
Bottom Line
Practicing good hygiene is always a golden rule to adhere to when it comes to makeup routines and your skin will reward you if you approach your beauty regime with an element of sensible caution.
