Cosmetics and beauty products are supposed to make facial and body skin look healthier and more attractive. However, if the product used contains harmful ingredients or is not suitable for skin type, it can cause skin diseases due to cosmetics.
Cosmetic products are very diverse, ranging from shampoo, soap, deodorant, make-up, sunscreen, hair dye, nail polish, cream, and facial serum. Cosmetics that contain irritating ingredients, such as AHAs, alcohol, fragrances, parabens, or tretinoin, can cause skin problems or diseases. Symptoms can occur instantly
Skin Diseases due to Cosmetics
Skin diseases can occur when the skin is exposed to preservatives and fragrances in cosmetics, such as parabens, formaldehyde, formalin, imadazolidinyl urea, isothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, and quaternium-15. In addition, skin diseases can also be triggered by the content of aluminum, salicylic acid, sodium laureth sulfate, and metals, such as mercury and chromium.
Here are some skin diseases that can be caused by the use of cosmetics:
1. Contact dermatitis
Cosmetics and personal care products that come into direct contact with the skin can cause contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis itself is divided into two types, namely:
- Irritant contact dermatitisOccurs when cosmetic ingredients irritate your skin. Skin irritation can occur within minutes, days, or weeks after applying cosmetics. The skin becomes red, stings, stings, itches, blisters, or even discharges when scratched.
- Allergic contact dermatitis
The labels 'non-irritating', 'hypoallergenic' and 'passed sensitivity tests' do not guarantee that the product is completely safe and will not cause allergies or skin irritation. This is because everyone's allergy triggers are different.
Allergic reactions or irritation are sometimes difficult to distinguish. There are times when a person may experience a combination of the two.
2. Urticaria
Urticaria or hives are characterized by the appearance of a rash, sore skin, tingling, and itching. These symptoms usually appear a few minutes to about 1 hour after the skin is exposed to cosmetics, and can improve on their own within 24 hours.
3. Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that is rare but can be fatal. This disease is characterized by difficulty breathing, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
How to Prevent Skin Diseases Due to Cosmetics
Most skin diseases caused by the use of cosmetics generally subside on their own after the use of cosmetics is stopped. However, to avoid serious side effects, it is better to take precautions in the following ways:
- Choose products with the fewest chemical ingredients, to prevent allergic reactions.
- Choose fragrance and alcohol-free products.
- Use products that are water-based and non-comedogenic (don't clog pores.
- To reduce the risk when using perfume, spray the perfume on the clothes and not directly on the skin.
- Before using cosmetics, do a test by applying a small amount of the product to the skin. Wait 2-3 days, and watch the reaction on the skin. Do not use this product if you notice redness, itching, burning, or swelling of the skin.
If skin problems appear after using cosmetics, these symptoms can be relieved with over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. But avoid using it on the face without consulting a doctor first.
In addition, stop using cosmetics and give cold compresses and skin moisturizers to help relieve symptoms of skin disorders that appear. If the symptoms of skin disease due to cosmetics do not improve, immediately go to a dermatologist to get the right treatment.
