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If you have watery eyes, swollen or irritated eyelids, or burning skin, you might be allergic to mascara.

It’s possible to experience an allergic reaction after applying mascara, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re allergic to the mascara itself. Rather, you could have a sensitivity or allergy to one (or more) of the ingredients in your mascara.

Allergic contact dermatitis is a common reaction to certain cosmetics, and some ingredients are more likely to cause a reaction than others.

The ingredients most likely to cause an allergy to mascara are listed below.

If you have an allergy to ingredients in your mascara, you will most likely notice signs and symptoms in the area that makes contact with the allergen: your eyelid and lashes. If your mascara leaves your lashes, you might have eye symptoms as well.

You will most likely start to experience symptoms after applying a new mascara. It is possible to develop allergic contact dermatitis after repeated use of a product.

A mascara allergy can cause a problem.

These symptoms are not as bad as they might seem, unless you are allergic to the mascara.

Experts categorize allergic reactions and hypersensitivities from I to IV, with type I being the most severe and type I being the least severe. Makeup allergies are type IV.

“It is important to keep in mind that irritation doesn’t always mean an allergy. If you have sensitive skin, beauty products can cause mild irritation.”

“It’s never a bad idea to avoid products that cause irritation or discomfort if you have an allergy.”

A mascara allergy or sensitivity usually relates to a hypersensitivity to preservatives, dyes, and fragrances. If you have sensitive skin and have reacted to certain ingredients in the past, you’re more likely to have a reaction to those ingredients in mascara.

Water-based makeup, like most mascara, often containsPreservatives in high amounts. It must be emphasized that there are some things that are not inherently bad. They play a vital role in preventing harmful microorganisms from growing.

Preservatives in mascara can cause irritation.

  • There is a substance called parabens.
  • The substance is called sodium benzoate.
  • quaternium-15 is a formaldehyde releaser.

Is it possible to be allergic to nickel or other metals? The black iron oxide used to color mascara can cause an allergic reaction.

mascara can cause irritation with the component of fragrance.

The termFragrance is used to describe the various ingredients that give cosmetics a pleasant scent or help mask the less-than-pleasant scents of other ingredients. Alcohol, essential oils, and other potential irritants can be found in fragrances.

Around 1 percent of adults have fragrance allergies. In fact, when it comes to triggers for allergic contact dermatitis, fragrance allergy takes second place, while nickel allergy holds the top spot.

The allergens should be taken away.

To remove the mascara from your skin and lashes, you will want to completely remove the mascara from your lashes. Cool compress may help relieve irritation.

It is best to stop using the product you are linking to. You can try another brand once the irritation is gone.

“If your symptoms don’t improve after a day or two, then you should reach out to a medical professional for more guidance and treatment.”

Pick or scratch at the area that is irritated. If you rub and scratch excessively, you could introducebacteria into your eyes or tiny openings in your skin.

Consequently, eyelid dermatitis can sometimes lead to complications like skin infections and eye infections.

If you notice, you should get medical attention.

  • There is a pus.
  • discharge
  • The pain is getting worse.
  • It can be severe inflammation or swelling.

It is the best way to prevent an adverse reaction if you check the ingredients in a mascara.

If you think you have an allergy to any skin care ingredients, avoid mascara that contains them.

Another step? Try to patch test the product before applying it.

To do a patch test.

  • You can apply a small amount of the product to a less-noticeable spot on your face.
  • Leave the area alone for a while.
  • Check for any reactions that are not normal.
  • “If you want to be certain, repeat the steps for a few days. You won’t notice a reaction when you use a product.”
  • No response? Use the mascara.

“A patch test doesn’t offer a guarantee when it comes to products you use around your eyes Eyelid skin is very delicate, and it might react to a product that doesn’t affect skin elsewhere on your body.”

If you have sensitive skin, you should use mascara labeled.

There are a few options for people who are concerned about mascara allergies.

Check out our top picks for makeup.

Your peepers are important.

Use these tips to minimize your risk of injury and irritation when using mascara.

  • If you experience irritation, stop using mascara or any other eye product.
  • After 3 months, throw out mascara.
  • “Adding water, saliva, or anything else can introducebacteria into your mascara, so don’t try to bring it back to life by adding water, saliva, or anything else.”
  • “Don’t share eye makeup.”
  • “If you have an eye problem, don’t use mascara.”
  • If the brush end of your mascara wand hits the floor, or any other unclean surface, wash it before using it or putting it back into the tube.

“It doesn’t mean you’re destined for a life of bad lashes if you have a skin allergy or sensitivities.”

Just take care to always read your labels and pay attention to what’s in a mascara before you buy it.

It may be time to connect with a dermatologist if multiple mascara products cause a similar reaction. They can help you find the ingredient that is causing your symptoms and give you more guidance on skin-safe makeup products.

“A Canadian writer and author named Arida Santos- Longhurst has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade. She can be found frolicking around her beach town with her husband and dogs in tow or trying to master the stand-up paddle board when she isn’t holed up in her writing shed.”