Skin Irritation
Skin Irritation and Cosmetics
Skin irritation can affect any area of the body and can be caused by many factors, including cosmetics and skin care products.
When your skin doesn’t agree with a beauty product, you may experience redness, inflammation, skin rashes, or hives. If you are experiencing symptoms of skin irritation or are hoping to prevent it, there are many options available. But first, let’s discuss what ingredients might be causing the skin irritation.
What Skin Care Ingredients Cause Skin Irritation?
An important thing to remember about skin care ingredients is that not everyone will react to them in the same way. What causes irritation for one person may not bother another. It is also true that an ingredient that causes redness for one person may cause itchiness or blisters for someone else.
With this concept in mind, here are a few skin care ingredients that may cause skin irritation:
- Acids
- Metals
- Sulfates
- Parabens
- Fragrances
- Aluminum compounds
- Emollients
Fortunately, there are many ways to help prevent skin irritation caused from ingredients in skin care products.
Look for ingredients that help to reduce inflammation. When deciding on a moisturizer, anti-aging cream, or other skin care product, look for ingredients such as green tea, aloe, or chamomile extract. These ingredients promote healing and counteract inflammation. Our pick: Geneva Naturals Anti-Aging Retinoid Face Oil
Remember that product labels are not guarantees. Some products have labels such as “dermatologist tested” or “hypoallergenic” but that doesn’t mean your skin will react well to the product.
Choose products that are paraben and sulfate free. Parabens and sulfates are often the culprit for bad skin irritation in cosmetics and skin care products. Finding a product line such as Geneva Naturals that offers paraben and sulfate free products will make it easier to avoid these irritants.
Pay attention to where you spray your fragrances. To reduce the risk of reaction, apply the fragrance to your clothing instead of your skin.
Begin with a patch test. Before you apply a product, apply a small amount to the skin of your arm or inside your elbow and monitor it for at least 48 hours. If you experience symptoms of skin irritation, discontinue use of the product.