Allergic reactions following the use of a cosmetic product are not so uncommon. Indeed, daily skincare products sometimes contain substances that can cause skin disorders, but the cause-and-effect relationship is not always easy to establish. What signs indicate an allergy to a cosmetic product? Here is an overview.
How can we determine if we are allergic to a cosmetic product?
Summary
Published on February 21, 2025, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 5 min of reading
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What are the symptoms of an allergy to a skincare product?
Redness, itching, swelling, blisters... If you wake up one morning with these symptoms on your face or any other area where you have applied a cosmetic, you may be suffering from a contact allergy to a product. Cleanser, serum, moisturiser... It's not always easy to identify which cosmetic is the culprit as allergic reactions often take 12 to 48 hours to appear. Indeed, cosmetic allergy progresses in two phases:
The sensitisation phase.
The sensitisation phase occurs during the initial contact between the allergenic substance and the skin. After penetrating the epidermis, the allergen present in the cosmetic forms a complex with natural proteins of the skin tissue. The lymphocytes, white blood cells of the immune system, then come into play. After presenting the allergen's antigen to the lymphocytes, they transport the complex throughout the body.
Lymphocytes also exhibit an intriguing characteristic: their ability to form memory cells. After eliminating the allergen, a portion of the activated lymphocytes differentiate into memory cells. These entities then patrol the body, enabling a swift and robust immune response if the organism is exposed to the same antigen again. The sensitisation phase can last from a few days to a few weeks, without any visible symptoms of skin lesions.
The revelation phase.
From the second application of the allergenic cosmetic, it is recognised by the immune system, through memory cells. The lymphocytes then release lymphokines, a specific class of cytokines that direct the immune system's response, causing itching, redness, and skin lesions. As mentioned earlier, the initial symptoms of the cosmetic allergic reaction occur several hours after exposure.
After the responsible allergen is removed, allergic symptoms generally decrease within the week following exposure and completely disappear after about ten days. If the offending product is not identified and continues to be applied, the allergic reaction persists and can extend to large body areas, and in some severe cases, it may even become infected.
True allergy or simple irritation: how to distinguish between them?
From a biological perspective, cosmetic allergy should be differentiated from an irritative reaction. The former largely depends on each individual's unique allergic profile, while the latter is more commonly encountered by sensitive skin types or manifests when the skin is weakened. Moreover, a cosmetic allergy involves prior sensitisation with activation of the immune system , whereas an irritative reaction is immediate. As soon as an irritating substance is applied to the skin, tingling and itching are immediately felt and red patches appear. The irritative reaction is due to the direct contact of the product with the skin, without the immune system having been activated. It is therefore advisable to immediately rinse the skin to remove the cosmetic and halt the reaction.
How can you determine if a skincare product poses an allergy risk?
Given that each individual has a different skin sensitivity, predicting individual cosmetic allergies can be extremely challenging. However, by carefully reading the INCI list of cosmetics for allergens, it is still possible to get an idea of a product's allergenic potential. The main allergens used to formulate cosmetics are fragrances and essential oils, but they are not the only ones. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has identified over 80 allergenic substances, all of which are listed in the European cosmetic regulation. The complete list of these allergens can be found here.
In accordance with our formulation charter, we do not use fragrance in our products, in order to minimise the risk of reactions.
Before applying a new skincare product to a large area, we advise you to test it on a small part of the body to ensure it does not cause an allergic reaction. This can be done by applying a small amount of the product to the crook of the elbow or the wrist and waiting 48 hours. If no redness, itching or irritation appears, the risk of an allergic reaction can be ruled out.
Sources
KOZLIK J. & al. Allergy to chosen cosmetic ingredients. Progress in Dermatology and Allergology (2013).
DE DONNO A. & al. Skin safety and health prevention: an overview of chemicals in cosmetic products. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene (2019).
Regulation (EC) No 1545/2023 of the European Parliament and Council.
