Cosmetic Allergic Reaction - Help!

Feb 11, 2014

Martina S.

Hello!

I've been wondering and searching this up for a long time, but I can't seem to find the answer to my question!

I had an allergic reaction to a foundation (brand- mode) and my face broke out in hives and was irritated. This was in November last year, 4 months ago.

I've only recently started trying my old products that I was using before I had the reaction, the ones I knew I wasn't allergic to. I tried one of my concealers today on the side of my face and now there's a colourless lump there where I applied it (nothing serious) but I had been using this for months before the reaction. I applied it to 2 other areas on my face but nothing happened there.

I had also used proactive on my face a few times but everytime I would apply it my fave would go itchy and slightly red, again nothing too serious. I had been using proactive for a year before.

The face lotions I have used are still okay.

Will I be allergic or have allergic reactions to most or all cosmetic products from now on? I only ever wear colour correctors and concealers but now I'm afraid I won't be able to use them!

What do I do? :(

I feel as if the reaction has triggered something in my face and now its super sensitive.

Sorry for the long story but I really want to know. Thanks in advance!

Feb 11, 2014

Martina S.

*face not fave

Feb 11, 2014

Kitty K.

What's your skin care routine? You might have done something to disrupt it. ( including remedies masks etc )

Feb 11, 2014

Martina S.

Every morning and night I just use a towel to wasj my face with Centaphil (a non soap) and then apply a dove face lotion for sensitive skin.

Feb 11, 2014

Kitty K.

It could be possible that maybe the tools youre using are dirty or the product you used is expired. No one on here can tell you whether your skin will continue to react that way or not. What did you do to treat your reaction?

Feb 11, 2014

Martina S.

I used an ointment that didnt need a perscription from the doctor, which contained steriods.

Feb 11, 2014

Shaye M.

If you used the makeup you're using now whilst you had the infection it's probably your makeup. I had a similar problem, I didn't get hives just a very bad skin infection from one product someone gave me that I'd never heard of (lesson learnt) I had to go to the doctor to get cream and antibiotics but it took me a month before I realised it wasn't just acne out of nowhere. I ended up purchasing new makeup all together and threw all the old stuff out.

Feb 11, 2014

Emily W.

It could be any number of things. Your products may be expired, may be contaminated (bacteria loves makeup), your skin may be experiencing sensitivity to a particular ingredient... You can develop allergies to products out of the blue, even ones you have used for years. Often, one ingredient ends up being the allergen. I would replace your current products that are causing problems to eliminate any expiry/contamination issue.

A colorless lump doesn't seem like an allergy; it could be a clogged pore or duct depending where it is. Do you have a history of cystic acne at all?

Feb 11, 2014

Jennifer M.

If it didn't happen in other areas, it's not likely a allergy. Your skin would react the same. You probably have dermatitis. Take a picture of it, and try again. You probably need to see the doctor for medication to keep inflammation in check.

Feb 11, 2014

Jennifer M.

The fact that cortisone helped is a clue to me, steroid cream is used to treat it. Be gentle to your face, pat dry it. Continue to moisturize, and avoid products with alcohol or Sodium laurel Sulfate in them if you can, and see the doctor.

Feb 11, 2014

Martina S.

No, I've actually never had acne my whole life! But thank you!

Feb 11, 2014

Martina S.

Thank you everyone! I know its a complicated question and there's no direct answer, haha. :)

Feb 11, 2014

Traci L.

Once you have had a reaction to something it is a form of dermatitis your skins need may completely change ,you can go from not having sensitive skin to having extremely sensitive skin it may go back to normal after a while or you may just remain a sensitive skin type try using products formulated for sensitive skin and a cream called first aid beauty helps heal an calm all forms of dermatitis ,try using concealers that are paraben free and definitely don't use proactive its very strong and can cause you further irritation.

Feb 11, 2014

Mary T.

A ton of makeups give me an allergic reaction. With me I found it was mostly cheaper brands like Mabeline, cover girl, nuetrogena, revlon drugstore ect. Also some high end like Mac, nars and bare minerals. Proactive also didn't work for me once I hit 25. Just too drying. The only thing you can do is test things out and get benedryl to take at night if you get hives. Also look up a ton of reviews before you try. If several ppl say they had reactions then don't even try it. Makeup alley has an app with a ton of reviews. Cosdna.com is also a great way to look up a product and see how many irritants are in it. Clinique, tarte, and benefit have been great for me as far as face makeup. And everyday minerals for mineral powder. Good luck!!

Feb 11, 2014

Mary T.

Don't know why it posted twice.

Feb 15, 2014

Audra B.

It sounds like your skins lipid layer may be damaged due to the proactive. some products are so harsh on the skin that they compromise your skins ability to take care of itself and it reacts differently and is more sensitive. if you don't suffer from acne then I would stop using the proactiv. healthy skin maintains itself for the most part. you just need to keep it as balanced as you can by maintaining a constant skincare routine. use mild face washes and argon oil is usually tolerated well on most skin types. its a great moisturizer and won't alter your skins ph or lipid layer.