The connection between cosmetics and allergy is obvious: in many cases, allergies are caused by cosmetics. On the other side, cosmetic products are used to treat allergies. More and more people react allergically to cosmetics ingredients. Through allergy tests in a pharmacy or a dermatologist’s surgery, one can find out the allergy causing substances.

 

The history of cosmetics begins almost 3000 years ago in Egypt where it was common for men and women to use cosmetics and to apply personal hygiene as part of culture. Bath foams, creams and makeup were common cosmetics. Also the Greek culture was influenced by cosmetics. The term “cosmetics” comes from a Greek word which can be translated as decorating. It is also known from the Roman culture that body and skin care was an integral part of everyday life. In former times and today as well, cosmetics cater to a big audience with ever new and more elaborated products and scents. However, perfume allergy or cosmetics allergy in general is a well-known phenomenon for many consumers.

 

In the cosmetics production more than 6,000 different ingredients and 2,500 scents are used for bubble baths, soap, shampoos, perfumes, body lotions or vanishing creams. As many ingredients are not sufficiently tested before and as many countries do not have as strict rules and regulations as others do, it is obvious that cosmetics cause allergies. Furthermore, people’s skins and bodies are more and more stressed by pollen, aggressive UV light and environmental pollution. Heating in winter and nutrition that is poor in vitamins stress one of the most important parts of our body: the skin, even more.

 

An allergy can be detected by effective allergy testing and can be treated by allergy care products. Cosmetic products which often let people react sensitively are scents, colour rinse or hair toners and preserving agents. Therefore, cosmetics manufacturers have often specialised in organic cosmetics which resign the usage of aggressive chemical ingredients or preserving agents. Many suppliers and producers of natural organic cosmetics inform on their website about their policies or even offer service lines for advice and information. The general rule for natural cosmetics is that the list of ingredients is obviously not very long. The less ingredients a cosmetic product has, the lower is the chance for an allergic reaction. Products labelled with “sensitive skin“ do not automatically exclude the danger of allergies. Cosmetics for daily skin care such as soaps are recommended with a ph-value of 5.0 to 6.5.