Do natural cosmetics cause allergies?

Allergies, intolerances and different hypersensitivities are the source of numerous doubts when choosing a cosmetic and one of the most common queries in theCosmethics mailbox. That is why with this entry in our magazine we want to answer many of your questions and create a small purchasing guide on natural cosmetics for those people who suffer from some type of allergy or intolerance. We also want to give some important information for all those people who suffer from this type of problems and do not know the possible relationship between their allergy and different components in cosmetics.

Allergies, intolerances and skin

Many people confuse the concepts of allergy and intolerance so, first of all, let's delve a little deeper into each of them:

In an allergy or hypersensitivity, our immune system is always responsible for that “rejection” reaction.

Explaining it in a simple way, Let's say that our body identifies as foreign some substance that comes into contact with it, whether through the skin, mucous membranes, respiratory system, blood or digestive system and generates a reaction through the immune cells that They create antibodies against it.

There are several types of allergies and depending on the cells and antibodies involved, they manifest in different ways. Examples of different allergies include contact dermatitis, respiratory allergies, celiac disease, or an anaphylactic reaction to a food or insect bite. Each of them is generated at a physiological level in a different way and their impact on the body is different.

A food intolerance does not imply a rejection reaction by the immune system, but rather refers to poor digestive assimilation of some food or molecule that composes it.

It can manifest as some type of digestive discomfort , but it can also have repercussions at other levels, producing symptoms such as headaches , discomfort, fatigue and even some type of skin reaction (excess fat, dryness, redness...).

Relationship between allergies and effects of these substances on the skin

When a person suffers from any type of allergy diagnosed through medical tests, they should avoid this allergen as much as possible. As is evident, a person who has a seasonal allergy to pollen will not have to take the same measures as another who has an anaphylactic reaction to a food such as shellfish. In the second case, we will have to avoid all contact with the allergen and preventive measures must be maximum.

Although not all allergens have the ability to penetrate the skin and create an allergic skin reaction, if we are allergic to any substance we must be very careful when putting that substance in contact with our skin . For example, gluten is a protein that usually does not cross the skin membrane and therefore a cream that has any component likely to contain gluten does not usually cause a notable reaction in people with celiac disease. On the other hand, in very sensitive people or if it is ingested in lipstick or other facial product, it could be harmful. Another example in the opposite direction would be a person with contact dermatitis due to an allergy to lavender, who should always avoid any cosmetic that contains lavender or its derivatives since they would immediately cause hives.

What happens if I am sensitive or allergic to a substance but I have done the test and it does not affect my skin?

Well, these are the most controversial cases, since it is difficult to demonstrate whether a product is safe or not with continued use and surely the results of such a test should be individualized. Our advice is that in these cases it is best to prevent, since there is a possibility that this substance used every day, brings more harm than benefits to your skin and, without creating a serious reaction, can produce an imbalance such as excessive dryness. , redness, itching or pimples.

Signs on the skin that may be caused by allergies or intolerances

Sometimes simply by using a natural and/or organic cosmetic product we believe that it is free from causing any type of allergy or skin reaction and as we already explained, this is not true . Natural cosmetics are made up mostly of vegetables and among them are numerous allergens to which many people are more or less allergic: grasses, nuts, gluten, fruits, flowers...

Therefore, when we use a product and it doesn't work for us for whatever reason, it doesn't hurt to review the list of ingredients and see if any of them could be causing our problem. Sensitivity to a product does not always occur in the form of itching and redness on the skin, but there are many signs that can make us think that something is not right.

• Eczema/dermatitis: Eczema or dermatitis are the clearest forms of allergy to a component. If when applying a product you notice that the skin becomes red, itchy and even small vesicles, cracks or peeling form, you should remove it immediately and look for the component that may be causing this reaction. A firm specialized in extremely sensitive skin is Pai Skincare. Unless you are allergic or intolerant to walnut oil, this brand will do very well for your skin.

• Excess oil: sometimes cosmetics produce excess oil on the skin due to their oily composition, but it may also be that, being non-comedogenic, some component is not completely tolerated by the skin. An example could be milk derivatives, which when applied to the skin on skin sensitive to them, can produce a fatty imbalance.

• Dryness and irritation: this is a typical symptom that, without causing an allergy, occurs in many people who are allergic to some component. For example, a cream with walnut oil in a person allergic to nuts can cause certain areas of the face to appear irritated and brittle. If you are allergic to nuts and walnut oil, check the Pai Skincare ingredient list very carefully; It is a brand specialized in sensitive skin but some of its products contain this ingredient.

• Dandruff: we must not forget about the hair and the products we apply to it, since it is a particularly sensitive area of ​​the skin and prone to react. Scalp peeling can have many causes, but one of them is the application of controversial substances.

• Itchy eyes: sometimes facial and makeup products do not cause a reaction on the skin but cause irritation in the eyes. We must be especially careful with those that contain alcohols, essential oils or chemicals that may be the cause of this. Dr.Bronner's shower and bath gels made from Castile soap are made with essential oils. We always indicate that special care must be taken in the shower if used as shampoo. Due to their natural perfume, they can cause intense itching in the eyes if a drop falls on you.

Ingredients in natural cosmetics most likely to cause allergies and their relationship with allergens

• Essential oils: essential oils are especially concentrated and contain a large amount of particles extracted from the plant of origin. They also contain naturally occurring terpenes that can function as allergens in many people. Pay close attention to the presence of essential oils and if you have sensitive skin you should avoid large concentrations of them. In this case we recommend Dr.Bronner's Baby Mild fragrance-free shower gel. Any of the others can be negative for you.

• Plant extracts : in natural cosmetics, plant extracts from a multitude of plants are very commonly used. Sometimes they are easily identifiable in the list of ingredients but other times they are found under the name of the final product, as is the case with Coco Betaine. A clear example would be the case of a person allergic to rosaceae (apple, pear, strawberries, plums, apricot, almonds, kiwi...) who should avoid extracts of these plants in their cosmetics.

• Animal derivatives : in this group there are derivatives of milk (such as whey), eggs (such as some enzymes and proteins) and beekeeping products ( honey , royal jelly, propolis, pollen), which although originally are not animals, Yes, they are processed by bees. In the case of milk and eggs, it can sometimes be difficult to identify the compound, since the name of the molecule or laboratory derivative used usually comes from it, and does not suggest its origin. Therefore, if you are allergic to these substances, it would be good to consult a professional to help you identify them. On the other hand, propolis and other bee substances used in cosmetics can cause allergies or be poorly tolerated by many people, causing irritation or other symptoms. A simple solution is to use vegan cosmetics . There are many options and it is a 100% safe way to avoid animal derivatives that may be harmful to someone who is sensitive.

• Vegetable oils : oils obtained from pressing seeds and fruits (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, sesame...) are usually well tolerated by most people. Even so, many people do not like one of them in particular or it causes some type of irritation. This may be the symptom that reveals a slight hypersensitivity to that specific product that until then could have gone unnoticed. It goes without saying that people allergic to nuts, sesame seeds or nuts should avoid their respective oils in cosmetics.

Remember that if you are intolerant or allergic to any ingredient you can call us so we can advise you and add specific samples to your order.

- TheCosmethics team