How Do Cosmetics Affect Our Eyes?

You Need to Know about Eye Problems Associated with Eye Makeup

Cosmetics and allergies

 Cosmetics and allergies to the eyes

 Moisturizing cream, sunscreen, shampoo, makeup, makeup remover ... our skin, our eyelids and our eyes are regularly put in contact with products whose composition is as diverse as complex.  

Do your eyes and eyelids tend to itch, sting, or cry? Difficult to know if it is an allergy to pollen, an irritation related to the wearing of contact lenses, a beginning of conjunctivitis, but also, maybe you are subject to an allergy to cosmetics? So what are the substances that can cause an allergy and how to avoid them?

What is an allergy to cosmetics?

Allergic reactions to cosmetics are most often due to one particular ingredient. It can be difficult to identify because of the large number of components involved in skincare or make-up formulas, and the complexity of their names.

It should be noted that the list of ingredients must be printed on the bottle or package, in descending order of the volumecontained in the solution. Thus, you read at the beginning of the list, the main constituents, "Aqua", the water, is very often the first because it composes 50 to 80% of the cosmetic products. The content of end-of-list ingredients is often very low, provided they are first observed by doctors during allergic reactions.

The products likely to cause an allergy are rather preservatives, masking agents, additives, cosmetic dyes ... but this cannot be generalized because they are the subject of tests and a rigorous regulation.  

For example, parabens are subject to discussion. The scientific committee of the European Union limits the concentration of parabens, without prohibiting them.

Often replaced by other preservatives, experience shows that they can also be allergenic.

All these products are extensively tested before being marketed, so each of us can only know its sensitivity, or even its allergy to a component, after a reaction.

Cosmetics and  eye allergies

How to recognize an allergic reaction and what should you do?

If, with the application of cream or makeup, you notice redness or itching on your skin, you are probably having an allergic reaction. The eyelid area is more sensitive because of the thinness of the skin, and the eyes are directly exposed and can sting you and cry.

To begin, immediately stop applying the offending product.

If symptoms persist, do not hesitate to consult your doctor with the product and its composition. It will make a diagnosis and help you to define your situations vigilantly, especially which component you are likely sensitive to or allergic to.

In addition, take care of the conservation of your products: respect the expiry dates, be sure to keep your bottles closed, and wash and dry your hands before each use.

BIO cosmetics: what is it?

BIO cosmetics and Eye Problem

Since 1998, the association “Nature and Progress” made up of agricultural producers, laboratories in cosmetics and consumers, has extended this quality label from food to cosmetics.

The important and rigorous specifications are controlled by the independent organization Visagro-Certipaq.

It requires, for example, that 100% of the plants used in the product be organic plants, and therefore without pesticides, and that this product must comply with banned and authorized product lists. Globally, synthetic ingredients must give way to ingredients of natural origin: plant or animal (without slaughter).

"Nature et Progrès" is probably the most demanding label, other labels exist in France like Cosmebio and Ecocert .

To obtain the Cosmebio label, the product must comply with these specifications:

• 95% minimum of natural or natural ingredients
• Minimum 95% of vegetable ingredients from Organic Farming
• Minimum 10% of all ingredients are from Organic Farming

For the Ecocert label, the charter is established at:

• 95% minimum of natural or natural ingredients.
• Minimum 50% of vegetable ingredients are from Organic Farming
• Minimum 5% of all ingredients are from Organic Farming

To our knowledge, no study proves that organic products are less allergenic, but knowing their existence may be useful to some people with allergies.

On the other hand, the defenders of respect for the environment encourage the use of natural products. Indeed, some synthetic components cannot be treated before being released into the rivers...

So maybe we can conclude that if it's better for nature, it's better for humans.