What is A Skin Allergy?

What is a skin allergy?

A skin allergy is a skin rash that occurs when an allergen (called an antigen) that you have been exposed to before touches your skin. Skin allergy does not occur the first time you come into contact with the antigen. You form IgE antibodies and then the next time you are exposed, you have an allergic rection.

This is why you may use a skin care ingredient many times without a problem and then suddenly develop an allergy to it. Skin allergy is not the same thing as skin irritation.

To find out if you have an allergy prone skin type, take our quiz for free here!

A skin allergy often presents itself as a rash, itch, hives, or redness.

Allergic reactions are triggered by antibodies

Some skin types are more prone to allergies than others

How do skin allergies work?

Skin allergy in general is mediated by IgE antibodies in your immune system.

Skin irritant reactions do not involve IgE antibodies.

Both skin irritation and skin allergy is caused by inflammation.

These are the most common skin care ingredients in skin care products that are allergens.

When your immune cells recognize the allergen that you have been previously exposed to, IgE antibodies get involved and cause skin inflammation. Inflamed skin occurs mainly due to a release of histamine from mast cells. This is why antihistamines are used to treat skin allergies. Histamine causes activation of many inflammatory pathways in the skin and dilation and leakiness of blood vessels leading to redness, swelling, and itching.

The inflammation seen in allergic skin rashes increases the production of melanin pigment leading to pigmentation and a disorder called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. (PIH) This is why darkening of elbow and knee skin is often seen in patients with eczema.- especially those with skin of color.

What to do if I am allergic to products in my skin care routine?

If you recently began a retinoid- you most likely have a retinoid rash rather than an allergy.

Use only creamy cleansers with no fragrance- stay away from bubbling face washes that hurt the skin barrier.

Use a soothing barrier repair cream or oil to calm the skin.

Here are some good choices:

Why is my skin allergic to everything?

Once inflammation pathways get turned on, your skin begins to react to more things.

Avoid products with fragrances such as essential oils.

Keep in mind that sometimes allergies are not always obvious or clear in terms of their origins. Sometimes, you might believe you’re allergic to an ingredient, but are actually just experiencing inflammation (if you have a sensitive skin type, for example.)

The only way to be positive about a personal allergy is to consult an allergist.

Getting specific information on your allergies can make buying skin care products a less intimidating process.

Science of Skin Allergies (1)

When a mast cell armed with IgE antibodies is re-exposed to an allergen, multiple responses occur, leading eventually to the release of various potent mediators responsible for the clinical expression of immediate inflammatory-hypersensitivity reactions that is commonly called “an allergic reaction” or “hives”.

In the first step of this sequence, antigens bind to the IgE antibodies previously attached to the mast cells. The bridging of IgE molecules with the underlying IgE-Fc receptors activates signal transduction pathways that will translate into three outcomes:

Degranulation allowing secretion vasoactive amines (histamine), proteases (chymase, tryptase, hydrolase), and proteoglycans (heparin, chondroitin sulfate).

Synthesis of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators (Leukotrienes C4, D4, and B4, and Prostaglandin D2)

Synthesis and secretion of cytokines and chemokines

Once these pathways get turned on – other inflammatory pathways can be activated. It is a domino effect. Inflammation causes more inflammation.

Skin Allergy Treatment-

Skin allergies are treated with removal of exposure to the allergen. You must figure out what you are allergic to. Once you know what you are allergic to- you must read every skin care label to make sure the product does not have the ingredient that you are allergic to in it. If you do not know what you are allergic to- try this hypoallergenic skin care brand.

You can treat skin allergy with antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine), corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Our recommendations on the best products for allergic skin are found below. Make sure they do not contain anything you are allergic to in them before using. We are working on a way to recommend skin care products to you that do not have anything in it that you are allergic to, but first we have to collect more data. This is why we ask you in the skin type quiz what you are allergic to. For now, you must read the product label yourself to make sure the product does not have anything YOU are allergic to.

What is the Best Skin Allergy Cream?

There are many prescription corticosteroids used to treat skin allergies. Hydrocortisone is the only corticosteroid cream you can get in the USA without a prescription.

Topical creams using anti-inflammatory ingredients to soothe and calm the skin are also used. Many of these have botanical ingredients that are allergens and can make the skin allergy worse.

These soothing barrier repair creams soothe skin and help protect skin from allergens

Best Soothing Natural Oils To Treat Skin Allergy

Many oils have soothing fatty acids like linoleic acid. Our favorite organic and natural soothing oil for skin allergies is Argan Oil.

Some other popular choices that you can read all about on our website are borage seed oil, almond oil, rosehip oil, safflower oil, or sunflower oil.

Keep in mind that not all oils do the same things to skin. Check out our blog on the general uses of oils in skin care for more information.

This is one of the best organic oils to treat skin allergies:

Soothing Cleansers

Cleansers that do not have strong detergents and contain anti-inflammatory ingredients and soothing fatty acids should be used to calm allergic skin. Here are some choices but remember- check the label before buying:

Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion

$50.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Gentle Foaming Cleanser

$50.00

Out of Stock

Revision Skincare Soothing Facial Rinse

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Daily Soothing Cleanser

$34.00

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

$13.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream Cleanser

$7.99

Out of Stock

Obagi Nu-Derm Gentle Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel

$11.67

Add to Cart

Replenix Green Tea Gentle Soothing Cleanser

$38.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion

$50.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Gentle Foaming Cleanser

$50.00

Out of Stock

Revision Skincare Soothing Facial Rinse

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Daily Soothing Cleanser

$34.00

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

$13.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream Cleanser

$7.99

Out of Stock

Obagi Nu-Derm Gentle Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel

$11.67

Add to Cart

Replenix Green Tea Gentle Soothing Cleanser

$38.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion

$50.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Gentle Foaming Cleanser

$50.00

Out of Stock

Revision Skincare Soothing Facial Rinse

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Daily Soothing Cleanser

$34.00

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

$13.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream Cleanser

$7.99

Out of Stock

Obagi Nu-Derm Gentle Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel

$11.67

Add to Cart

Replenix Green Tea Gentle Soothing Cleanser

$38.00

Add to Cart

How To Find Out What Is Causing Your Skin Allergy

It is important to identify what you are allergic to in order to properly treat skin allergies. You can either:

Keep a diary of what you were exposed to in the 6-12 hours prior to a skin allergy rash

See your dermatologist for patch testing.

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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