HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The skin is the largest organ of the body and absorbs what you put on it. You may have the most expensive or inexpensive products, but could either have harmful ingredients?
It's allergy season, and if you go into any store right now, the first thing you're going to see is a whole bunch of shelves with allergy medications. These help people not get bombarded by allergens that weaken their immune systems.
Consumers should pay attention to what they're putting on their skin. A common ingredient is sodium lauryl sulfate, which can be found in shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, mouthwash, and a lot of fragrances.
Dermatologists have sodium lauryl sulfate on the top of their allergen list.
Oak Brook Allergists explains it like this:
Difference Between Skin Allergy and Skin Irritation
There are two types of skin reactions to substances found in beauty products: temporary skin irritation (also called irritant contact dermatitis) and allergic reaction (also referred to as allergic contact dermatitis).
Irritant contact dermatitis doesn’t involve an immune response and typically develops as your skin adjusts to a certain product. Irritant contact dermatitis is characterized by itchiness, burning or stinging sensation, and/or redness on the area of the skin that gets exposed to harsh substances.
Allergic contact dermatitis, on the other hand, is a result of your body’s exaggerated response to otherwise harmless substances in beauty products. Symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis include hives, itching, redness, and swelling on any part of the body, but typically the face, lips, ears, and neck or the area directly exposed to the allergen. Allergic contact dermatitis can persist until your body is able to build tolerance to the allergens.
It can be difficult to tell the two types of skin reaction apart, and you can even have both at the same time. Your best bet is to create your own patch test before incorporating new products into your skincare regimen. Apply a tiny amount of the product to the inner part of your arm and observe for some time if you get a reaction. If you get none, go ahead and purchase it.