Common Skincare Ingredients That Trigger Facial Allergic Reactions

Skin Care Ingredients That Cause Allergic Reactions on the Face

There are many skin care ingredients that cause allergic reactions on the face. The only way to prevent this from happening again is to figure out which ingredients caused the rash. Then, you can read product labels to avoid that ingredient.

If you have had a face allergy to a skin cream or new skincare product, you know how uncomfortable the skin inflammation from a skin allergy can be. Whether you have tiny bumps on the face, redness, swelling, hives or itching, the treatment is the same. You need to soothe and calm the skin and avoid the allergenic ingredient.

You can treat the face allergy with anti-inflammatory and soothing ingredients.

However, you must figure out what skin care ingredients in your skin care products that caused the skin allergy.

Cosmetic Ingredients That Cause Allergies

If you have an allergic reaction on your face, chances are it is one of these 6 types of ingredients that are causing it. A rash on the eyelids is almost always due to nail polish, while a rash on the hands is usually hand soap. An allergic reaction on the face can be caused by many ingredients, but fragrances and preservatives are the most common.

The 6 most common ingredients in skin care products that cause allergic reactions on the face are:

Fragrances

Essential Oils

Preservatives

Plant derived ingredients

Chemical sunscreens

Parabens

How To Figure Out What Skin Care Ingredients I Am Allergic To?

If you suffer from a skin allergy from a skin care product you have three choices:

Figure out what you are allergic to by keeping a diary

See a dermatologist and get patch testing

Find a skincare brand that is hypoallergenic

If you get an allergic reaction, start a diary and write down every ingredient on the ingredient list in any skin care products that you used over the last 48 hours. Then match the list to these common allergen lists. Below you can find lists of the most common allergens in skin care products.

Circle the items in your diary that are on the allergenic ingredient list.

With time you will notice a pattern and will see that it is always the same ingredient that is giving you a rash.

You can also find a dermatologist at aad.org and get a patch test (Not all dermatologists do patch testing so ask before you schedule an appointment).

Hypoallergenic Skin Care Brands

Our favorite hypoallergenic skincare brands are:

VMV Hypoallergenics- was developed by a dermatologist and does not have the 100 most common allergens in it.

Vanicream

La Roche Posay Toleriane products

niacinamide chemical structure

Allergy to Niacinamide

Niacinamide can cause a skin allergy. We have see happen with EltaMD UV Clear SPF and other niacinamide containing products.

Rag Weed Allergy

If you have a ragweed allergy, certain skincare ingredients may cause cross-reactions due to their botanical relations or similarity in allergenic components. It’s essential to be cautious and potentially avoid ingredients that are in the same family as rag weed.

Skin care ingredients to avoid if you have a ragweed allergy:

Chamomile – This popular soothing ingredient is related to ragweed.

Echinacea – Often used for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Marigold (Calendula) – Used for its soothing and healing properties.

Sunflower oil – Sometimes found in moisturizers and other skincare products.

Helenium – Used in some herbal skincare products.

Dandelion extract – Occasionally used in natural or botanical products.

Tansy oil – Found in some herbal formulas.

Yarrow – Used for its astringent properties.

Artemisia – Another name for this is wormwood or sagebrush, and it’s sometimes used in skincare.

Bisabolol, a compound found in many plants

Allergy to Preservatives

If you have a preservative allergy, certain preservatives in skincare and cosmetic products can cause allergic reactions.

Skin care ingredients to avoid if you have a preservative allergy:

Parabens (e.g., methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben)

Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives:

Quaternium-15

DMDM hydantoin

Imidazolidinyl urea

Diazolidinyl urea

Polyoxymethylene urea

Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate

Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT)

Benzyl alcohol

Phenoxyethanol

Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol)

Isothiazolinones

Thimerosal

Triclosan and Triclocarban

Propylene glycol and butylene glycol (though these are more commonly classified as irritants, they can sometimes cause allergic reactions)

Methyldibromo glutaronitrile/phenoxyethanol (Euxyl K 400)

Benzyl alcohol

Fragrance Allergy

If you have a fragrance allergy, you should be aware that fragrances are among the top five allergens in cosmetics and other products. People sensitive to fragrances should look out for a wide array of ingredients, as the term “fragrance” or “parfum” in an ingredient list can actually be a blend of many components.

What skin care ingredients to avoid if you have a fragrance allergy:

Fragrance or Parfum: A catch-all term that can refer to a blend of multiple fragrance ingredients.

Linalool

Limonene

Eugenol

Cinnamal (Cinnamaldehyde)

Geraniol

Isoeugenol

Coumarin

Citral

Benzyl Alcohol (not always used as a fragrance but can be present in some fragrant blends)

Benzyl Salicylate

Benzyl Benzoate

Farnesol

Citronellol

Hexyl Cinnamal

Amyl Cinnamal

Cinnamyl Alcohol

Oakmoss and Treemoss Extracts (Evernia prunastri and Evernia furfuracea)

Balsam of Peru (or Myroxylon pereirae) – it’s both a fragrance and flavoring agent, and can be found in many products.

Essential oils – even though they’re natural, they can still cause reactions in sensitive individuals. Lavender, peppermint, tea tree, and ylang-ylang are common essential oils in skincare products.

Additionally, “unscented” products might still contain fragrances to mask the scent of other ingredients. If you’re sensitive, opt for products labeled “fragrance-free.”

Remember, sensitivity to one fragrance ingredient doesn’t mean you’ll react to them all. But given the complexity and lack of transparency in fragrance formulations (they’re considered trade secrets), many people with fragrance allergies opt to avoid all fragranced products.

hydroquinone chemical structure

Hydroquinone Allergy

Hydroquinone allergy is not uncommon. You may get a rash after using a prescription skin lightening product. If you are allergic to hydroquinone, you need to avoid all hydroquinone derivatives.

You may also be allergic to these hydroquinone-derived cosmeceuticals:

arbutin

kojic acid

kojic acid and arbutin have a similar structure to hydroquinone.

These are the most common skincare ingredients that cause a skin allergy (in alphabetical order):

2,5 Diaminotoluene Sulfate

2,6-Ditert-butyl-4-cresol (BHT)

2-Ethylhexyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate (Eusolex 6007) (Padimate O) (Octyl Dimethyl paba)

2-Ethylhexyl-4-methoxycinnamate (Parsol MCX)

2-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-4-methylbenzophenone (Mexenone)

2-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzophenon-5-sulfonic acid (Sulisobenzone)

2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (Eusolex 4360)

2-Nitro-P-Phenylenediamine

2-tert-Butyl-4-methoxyphenol (BHA)

3-(4-Methylbenzyliden)camphor (Eusolex 6300)

3-Aminophenol Hydroquinone

4-Aminobenzoic acid (PABA)

4-Aminophenol

4-Chloro-3-cresol (PCMC)

4-tert-Butyl-4’-methoxydibenzoylmethane (Parsol 1789) (Avobenzone)

Aloe vera

Ammonium Persulfate

Ammonium Thioglycolate

Angelica

Arnica

Balsam of Peru (myroxylon pereirae)

Beeswax

Benzoic Acid

Benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone)

Benzyl alcohol

Benzyl salicylate

Bisabolol

Bladderwrack

Calendula (Marigold)

Camphor

Carmine

Catnip

Centella (gotu-kola)

Cetyl alcohol

Chamomile

Chloracetamide

Chlorhexidine gluconate

Cocamide DEA

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Colophony (rosin)

Compositae Mix

Coriander

Cucumber

Di-alpha-tocopherol acetate

Dog rose hips

Echinacea

Essential oils.

Euxyl K 400 (Methyldibromo-glutaronitrile-phenoxyethanol)

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde Releasing Preservatives (FRPs):

Quaternium 15

Imidazolidinyl Urea (Germall)

Diazolidinyl Urea (Germall II)

Bromonitropropane diol (Bronopol)

DMDM Hydantoin

Gingko

Glyceryl Thioglycolate

Goldenseal

Green tea

Homomenthylsalicylate (Homosalate)

Hops

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone (Idebenone)

Isoamyl-p-methoxycinnamate

Isopropyl myristate

Kelp

Lanolin alcohol

Lavender

Licorice

Marigold

Methoxycinnamate

Methyl Methacrylate

Methylchloroisothiazolone (MCI)

Methylisothiazolinone

Niacinamide- some unpure forms cause an allergic reaction while pure forms do not.

Octyl salicylate (Octisalate)

Parabens

Para-phenylenediamine (PPD)+

Phenylbenzimidazol-5-sulfonic acid (Eusolex 232)

Potassium Dichromate

Propolis (bee’s glue)

Propyl gallate

Propylene Glycol

P-Tert-Butylphenol Formaldehyde Resin

Resorcinol

Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract)

Sage

Sesquiterpene Lactone

Sodium Benzoate

Sorbic Acid

Sorbitan monooleate (Span 80)

Sorbitan sesquioleate

St. John’s wort

Stearyl alcohol

Tea Tree Oil

tert-Butylhydroquinone

Tocopherol

Toluenesulphonamide Formaldehyde Resin (tosylamide)

Triclosan (Irgasan DP 300)

Triethanolamine

Vitamin E

Witch hazel

Ylang Ylang Oil

Natural Plant Ingredients That Can Cause Skin Allergy

Natural and organic products are common causes of skin allergy. Here are some plant derived skin care ingredients that commonly cause skin allergy:

Aloe vera

Angelica

Arnica

Balsam of Peru (Myroxylon pereirae)

Beeswax

Bladderwrack

Catnip

Chamomile

Colophony (rosin)

Compositae Mix

Coriander

Cucumber

Dog rose hips

Echinacea

Ginkgo

Goldenseal

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica)

Green tea

Hops

Kelp

Lavender

Licorice

Marigold

Propolis (bee’s glue)

Rosemary

Sage

Sesquiterpene lactone

St. John’s wort

Tea tree oil

Witch hazel

Ylang-ylang oil

Sunscreen Ingredients That Cause Skin Allergy

2-Ethylhexyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate (Eusolex 6007) (Padimate O) (Octyl Dimethyl paba)

2-Ethylhexyl-4-methoxycinnamate (Parsol MCX)

2-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-4-methylbenzophenone (Mexenone)

2-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzophenon-5-sulfonic acid (Sulisobenzone)

2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (Eusolex 4360)

3-(4-Methylbenzyliden)camphor (Eusolex 6300)

4-Aminobenzoic acid (PABA)

4-tert-Butyl-4’-methoxydibenzoylmethane (Parsol 1789) (Avobenzone)

Benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone)

Homomenthylsalicylate (Homosalate)

Isoamyl-p-methoxycinnamate

Octyl salicylate (Octisalate)

Phenylbenzimidazol-5-sulfonic acid (Eusolex 232)

Preservatives that cause skin allergy

Benzoic acid

Benzyl alcohol

Euxyl K 400 (Methyldibromo glutaronitrile and phenoxyethanol)

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde-releasing-preservatives

(FRPs):

Quaternium 15

Imidazolidinyl urea (Germall)

Diazolidinyl urea (Germall II)

Bromonitropropane diol (Bronopol)

DMDM hydantoin

Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiozolinone (MCI/MI)

P-tert-Butylphenol formaldehyde resin

Parabens

Propylene glycol

Sodium benzoate

Toluenesulphonamide Formaldehyde

Resin (tosylamide)

Fragrance in Skin Care That Causes Skin Allergy

Balsam of Peru

Essential oils.

Fragrance Mix 1

Fragrance Mix 2

Cinnamic alcohol

Eugenol

Cinnamic aldehyde

Isoeugenol

Geraniol

Lyral

Ylang-ylang

Hydroxycitronella

Oak moss absolute

Benzyl Alcohol

Narcissus

Jasmine

Citral

Sandalwood

Farnesol

Citronellol

Tea tree

a-Hexyl-cinnamic aldehyde

Coumarin

α-amyl cinnamic aldehyde

Our advice is to write down everything you put on your face in the last 12 hours. With time you will start to see a pattern and this can help you narrow down which ingredients caused the reaction. You can also see a dermatologist and get patch testing done to identify the exact allergens.

It is so difficult to figure out what you are allergic to. You may even be allergic to more than one skin care ingredient. So if this is a concern for you- get patch testing done by your dermatologist. It will make buying skin care so much easier for you!

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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