Last Updated on March 2, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

What to do when you're allergic to cosmetics

Getting a new beauty product is SO exciting. All you want to do is play with it straight away and see what miracle it can do for your skin.

But, sometimes the dream turns into a nightmare. Rather than smoother, plumper skin, that moisturiser is making your face all red, swollen, and irritated! What the heck is going on?!

An allergic reaction, most likely. Here’s how to deal with it:

1. Figure Out What Product Is Causing The Problem

Sometimes, this is really easy. If you’ve just introduced a brand new moisturizer into your skincare routine, you know that’s to blame.

This is why I always recommend to try one new product at a time. If you use two or three new ones at the same time, it’s gonna take longer to figure out which one is to blame for the allergy.

But, what if you didn’t use anything new? The problem with allergies is that they can develop at any time. You know what that means?

You could be using something for years with great results, and then one day your skin becomes all red and swollen because you’ve just developed an allergy to it!

If that happens to you, try eliminating one product at a time from your beauty routine until you find the real culprit.

WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?

Your immune system is to blame. Sometimes, after repeated exposure to a certain ingredient, your immune system suddenly decides it’s an “invader” and releases histamines to attack it.

This is called sensitization, and it can take weeks, months, or even years to develop. It’s the same reason some people can suddenly become allergic to foods they’ve eaten their whole lives. Annoying, right?

Related: The Right Way To Introduce New Skincare Products In Your Skincare Routine

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2. Find Out What Ingredient Is Causing The Allergy

Now you’ve found what product is causing the problem, don’t throw it out immediately. Check the ingredient list, first. If you don’t, chances are you’re just gonna buy another foundation/moisturizer/whatever with the same ingredient you’re allergic to.

But, ingredient lists are usually written in an alien, impossible-to-decipher language. How do you make sense of it and find out what ingredient is to blame? The main culprits usually are:

  • 2-bromo-2nitropropane-1,3-diol
  • Citrus oils
  • Dializodinyl urea
  • DMDM hydantoin
  • Essential oils
  • Fragrance
  • Imidazolidinyl urea
  • Methylchloroisothiazolinone
  • Methylisothiazolinone
  • Mint, peppermint, and anything minty
  • Synthetic UV filters (ex, Avobenzone, Oxybenzone…)

WHY ARE THESE INGREDIENTS IRRITATING?

  • Fragrance & essential oils: The very substances that make them smell so good can also irritate skin. In fact, the reason why plants smell so good is to keep predators way (and kill them if they ever want to take a bite!).
  • Preservatives like Methylisothiazolinone: These prevent bacteria growth but are one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis.
  • Synthetic UV filters: Some people’s skin reacts badly to certain chemical sunscreens, causing stinging or redness.
  • Citrus & mint: While they feel refreshing, they can be highly sensitizing over time. For the same reason essential oils are so bad. As a rule of thumb, if it smells too good, don’t put it on your face!

Keep in mind, though, that anything could be the culprit. The only way to know for sure is to go to the doctor and get allergy tests done.

In the meantime, compare the ingredients in the offending product with the other products you are using without any problems. There’s bound to be one or more ingredients in the offending product that’s not present in the other ones. One of those is the culprit.

Granted, this method isn’t as scientific as the allergy test, but it’s a good starting point until you can afford to see the doctor.

Need further help to narrow down the culprit? Click on the image below to sign up ton my newsletter and receive the “Skincare Ingredients To Avoid” cheat sheet with the most irritating ingredients lurking in your cosmetics:

Related: 7 Natural Ingredients That Can Irritate Skin

3. Use A Cortisone Cream

Ok, figuring out the culprit is all well and good, but your face is still all swollen, red, and possibly even painful. How do you get it back to normal ASAP?

Get a cortison cream, like Cortaid. It’ll reduce the inflammation and relieve the itching.

HOW TO CORTISONE CREAMS WORK?

Cortisone is a steroid that suppresses your immune response. Basically, it tells your body to calm down and stop overreacting to the ingredient. It also reduces swelling and redness quickly.

If your reaction is severe (like hives or swelling around your eyes and lips), you might need an oral antihistamine, like Benadryl. This works by blocking histamines (the chemicals that make your skin freak out in the first place).

4. Don’t Irritate Skin More

Your skin is very delicate now, so treat it with extreme care. If you’re using any powerful ingredients like retinoids, exfoliating acids, benzoyl peroxide, skin-lighteners, or even vitamin C, stop.

These ingredients work wonders on healthy skin, but they can be too harsh for irritated skin. For the same reason, avoid alcohol, fragrance, and anything else that could be irritating. Go back to the basics, and use only the gentlest products you can find.

Also, don’t:

  • Exfoliate (non even with a washcloth!)
  • Rub skin
  • Sweat

These things can be irritating, too, and make your skin worse.

WHAT SHOULD YOU USE INSTEAD?

Stick to bland, soothing skincare for a while. Think:

Related: 5 Skincare Treatments That Can Irritate Skin (If Abused)

5. Consult A Doctor

An OTC cortisone cream can help, but it’s not enough. You need to see a doctor for the appropriate treatment, especially if the problem doesn’t go away within six weeks.

In this case, you could have a very severe allergic reaction that requires oral antihistamines (and these can only be prescribed by a doctor), or another condition like psoriasis or eczema.

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR ASAP:

  • If your eyes or lips start swelling up
  • If you have trouble breathing (this could be anaphylaxis, and it can kill!)
  • If the rash keeps spreading beyond where you applied the product
  • If the reaction lasts longer than six weeks

Point is: don’t auto-diagnose yourself. You may get it wrong and make things worse. Always consult a professional for the best diagnosis and treatment for your problem.

The Bottom Line

Allergic reactions to skincare products are annoying, but they don’t have to ruin your skin. Pay attention to how your skin reacts, check ingredient labels like a detective, and don’t be afraid to strip back your routine when things go south. The faster you figure out what’s causing the irritation, the sooner you can get your skin back to glowing.

And hey—your skin changes over time, so just because something worked before doesn’t mean it always will. Listen to your skin, treat it kindly, and when in doubt, get a pro’s opinion!