Essential Guide to Skin Allergies

This guide provides information about skin allergies. We understand what a skin allergy is and what the most common causes of allergic skin reactions are. This guide also looks at sensitive skin and which chemical ingredients in many personal care products are common known irritants and allergens.

If you have skin allergies, make sure to use our ultra-gentle natural chemical-free and scent-free range. 

Natural skin care for skin allergy sufferers and sensitive skin.

Many skin care products are described as being hypoallergenic, meaning you are less likely to suffer an allergic reaction to the product. Unfortunately, this term can be a little misleading, as people can be allergic to even the gentlest of plant ingredients. There are no standards or tests in place to prove that a product won’t cause a reaction, so in practice it is not actually possible to create anything which is 100% hypoallergenic and it is not possible to guarantee that a personal care product won’t cause an allergic reaction.

However, the gentle formulation of organic skin care products means that they are less likely to aggravate skin allergies and conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and sensitive skin. If you suffer from ultra sensitive skin it is best to test new skin care products on your inner forearm or your neck to see if you have a reaction.

Patch testing:

Apply a small amount of the product to the inner forearm or neck (behind your ear), about 2cm square.  Leave on for 12 hours.  If no redness or swelling appears after 12 hours, apply a similar amount to the same area of skin and leave on for a further 12 hours.  If after this time no reaction is observed then apply a third dose of product to the same skin area.  If no reaction occurs in the next 24 hours, then it is highly probable that the product is safe for you to use.

This test checks not only for already existing allergies, but also confirms that repeated use is not a problem - a condition called Repeated Exposure Induced Sensitivity.
Back to Nature Ltd. offers a range of completely natural skin products with soothing ingredients that are suitable for irritated skin and people suffering from conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, acne and more, as well as those with skin allergies and sensitive skin conditions such as prickly heat.

Our entire natural beauty range is made without lanolin, SLS/SLES, parabens, alcohol (ethyl alcohol/ethanol), phthalates, petrochemicals, propylene glycol, synthetic fragrances and colourings and any other irritating synthetic chemicals and our avoidance of these known irritants means that our products are suitable for many people who have skin sensitivities and allergies, to help restore your skin's natural barrier and bring your skin into balance.

Maintenance of the skin’s barrier property is very important, especially where the skin has become sensitised or is prone to allergic reactions.  The skin is our primary defence against external factors such as pollution, UV radiation, and toxic chemicals and unless it is functioning properly these aggressors may pass through the skin more readily and enter the body.  The skin’s barrier function also retains moisture within the middle and lower layers of the skin to maintain elasticity and flexibility, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and promoting a smoother, softer complexion.

Skin allergies:

Allergic contact dermatitis is an itchy, red or swollen skin rash occurring after being in direct contact with an allergy-causing substance (an allergen). The most common causes of skin allergies are preservatives, fragrances and jewellery metals such as Nickel and Cobalt chloride – a metal found in hair dye, antiperspirant and objects plated in metal.  It is important to identify the cause of any contact allergy and then to avoid that material meticulously as repeated exposure may lead to more severe reactions.

Atopic dermatitis or eczema affects one in five babies and children.  It is thought to be linked to low levels of Squalene. In healthy skin, sebum contains between 10-13% Squalene and low levels of Squalene lead to dryness, flaking and causes weakness in the skins barrier function, the skin easily becomes prone to irritation and inflammation.
Eczema is often linked with asthma, hay fever or food allergy and food sensitivities can make eczema symptoms worse. When you have allergic skin reaction to something in your environment, you may display one or more symptoms. The symptoms may take the form of eczema, swelling, skin inflammation, rashes, itchy skin and watery eyes.

What can cause an allergic reaction?

Many people suffer skin allergies from chemical ingredients in their personal care products and cosmetics. Recently researchers in Spain have identified three ingredients in cosmetics that most often cause allergic contact dermatitis reactions. Allergic contact dermatitis takes the form of skin irritation or an itchy rash that affects the surface of the skin after exposure to the allergen. It can take days for skin to return to normal and the irritation will usually immediately return as soon as exposure is repeated.
The researchers found:

◦ 19% reacted to Methylisothiazolinone (a preservative widely found in shampoos and skin care products)

◦ 15.2% reacted to Paraphenylenediamine (PPD, used in hair dye and often leads to lifelong sensitisation)

◦ 7.8% reacted to fragrance mixtures (used to fragrance practically all cosmetics, shampoos and body care products, not just perfumes)

Most recently an unprecedented increase in the use of the preservative Methylisothiazolinone or MI in personal care products has caused something of a skin allergy epidemic and many big name high street brands have been forced to remove the preservative from their products. We have never used any of these ingredients in our natural and organic beauty products. This is why our products have a limited shelf life, unlike mainstream products which last for years.

Sensitive skin

Around 50% of the adult population have sensitive skin, affecting slightly more women than men. If your skin burns, stings or itches after the application of soap, bubble bath or cosmetics, then you may well have sensitive skin. Those who have mildly sensitive skin will only have an occasional reaction to these skin products, whilst those who have more sensitive skin may develop irritant contact dermatitis or mild eczema. When sensitive skin is irritated, calming lotions such as Miracle Balm™ help to relieve symptoms and soothe the affected patches. 

http://www.miracle-balm.co.uk/blogs/news/18867823-essential-guide-to-skin-allergies