Tell Us: Have You Had a Bad Reaction to Makeup?
Many of you know that conventional products don’t come with expiry dates. We’ve always found that a little troubling since—much like food—these products go on and in our bodies by way of our skin. Given the weird things that can happen to chemicals and ingredients when they sit endlessly on a shelf, not to mention the germs and bacteria that can form over time, using really old makeup (whether it’s clean or not) is really a bad idea. But we’ve all done it.
Our internet pal Melissa Dahl is researching an article for Today.com about some of the dangers lurking in dirty, and old, cosmetics bag. So we’re crowd sourcing for her here, because we have the best readers—with the best stories! So tell us (and Melissa): Have you ever had a nasty reaction to your makeup? An eye infection? A rash? A mysterious growth, maybe?
We’re happy to report that many clean companies feature voluntary expiry dates. The industry loves to say that naturals aren’t safe because they don’t have all the nasty preservatives to keep them stable until the next millennium. To us that’s like arguing that marshmellows are better for you than tomatoes because they don’t go bad, or that this happy meal is healthier than food that rots when it’s supposed to. In other words, it’s total BS—an argument that only holds if you believe that cosmetics and food should last forever by design. We certainly don’t. What do you think?
I had a reaction to the BareMinerals makeup. I wore it all day with no problem, but by the end of the day, I was breaking out in hives all over my face! Most eyeshadow and especially mascara make my eyes so itchy, so clean products are a must if I want to wear any eye makeup.
concealers and powder make me oily and break out.. i stopped using them years ago – my skin is great now (of course i have the occasional break out.. but not like I always did before)
I now only wear eye shadow and mascara. I have had to switch my mascara because the one I was using was irritating my eye so much that it looked like i was always crying. just a constant flow of tears.
When I was in middle school my throat started to close up and I could hardly breathe after wearing cheap, bright red lipstick I had bought from the dollar store. I’m guessing the lipstick had been on the shelf for a while since it was at a dollar store, and on top of that it had been in my drawer for a few moths at least. My 12 year old self clearly hadn’t a clue about the importance of clean beauty! :)
I was eventually fine after my allergy attack, but needless to say I have learned my lesson about dollar store cosmetics, and expiration dates! Plus I rarely wear lipstick anymore, probably for that reason…
I also had a bad reaction to BareMinerals and again with Clinique’s Mineral Makeup. I wore bare minerals once and my face was covered with a rash by the end of the day. I was not to be dettered though because, honestly, its the closest match to my skin that I’ve ever found. It was suggested that I change the brush, but alas, the rash came back and I had to send it back. When I tried Clinique a few months later, at the first sign of rash I stopped using it. I read online that it was quiet common for women to have a negative reaction to the original BareMineral’s formula. I am very very sad about this. I haven’t yet tried their second, matte formula, but I am scared of purchasing more make up with the potential of breakouts.
My skin breakouts and psoriasis are much more related to what I’m eating than what I’m putting on my skin. But my lips are super sensitive to lipsticks. My lips get irritated and dry/cracked if I use anything with a color. Years ago before I knew what was up my lips would get oozy…gross, and uncomfortable. I used to think it was all lipsticks but since I’ve tried some clean products (like RMS) I can actually wear a little bit of color.
I have noticed that if a makeup (or any product) has a smell I don’t like it really affects my mood. I think for the most part this is my body telling me there is something toxic in the product. I tried Couleur Caramel mascara, and the smell bothered me from the beginning, but I tried to deal with it. After the third time using it, my eyes were burning and watery. Just shows that while there are certain chemicals that no one should be putting on or in their body, we all have different sensitivities. Even a “clean” product can be a problem for some.
I don’t have a lot of make-up and skin care products in my inventory of products for this very reason. Although I don’t necessarily toss things every 3-6 months, I am wary. I wash my brushes every week. I sharpen and alcohol off my pencils and eyelash curler just as often. My products contain no fragrances, which I seem to have a sensitivity to. I did have a lipstick of uncertain age and when I put it on it tasted really foul, so I cleaned off my lips and tossed it in the bin. I just knew it beyond its expiration date.
One thing that may tarnish this research is that very often changes in our water are also the culprit. I’m sure the combination of the two isn’t very kind to our bodies in any way. In addition, because these are chemical we are slathering on, we must take into consideration their effects when combined with other chemicals or even with one another, as you mention in your book. I’m not sure whether you can isolate the make-up only. That being said, it would be interesting to know what pesky little critters lurk on dirty make-up, probably the same ones as in the shower or on a toothbrush. Yuck!
I foolishly used old eyeliner because I loved the color (and why throw out eyeliner if there’s still some left?), and ended up with an eye infection. I had one watery eye for well over a week. The only good that came out of it was that the manager of a restaurant where I was having dinner thought I was crying because the food was awful, and I got the whole meal for free.
Since then, I regularly change my eyeliner, and always clean the brushes I use around my eyes.
I had the worst allergic reaction on my eyelid from a hair product actually that contained hydrolyzed wheat protein which I turned out to be very allergic to. I also have really sensitive skin and had a bad reaction to bare minerals due to the bismuth oxychloride. Ever since the eyelid rash I have switched entirely to natural beauty products. None of my products have more than 10 ingredients, and they are all things that I can pronounce.
A few times I’ve had really red itchy eyes for several days from using mascara that has “turned.” Sometimes I forget to notice that it’s gone funky, it can happen so quickly.
And, for really special occasions with certain dresses, I can’t bring myself to throw away the Body Shop Shimmer Cubes (in brown) even though every single time I use them I am 100% guaranteed a really bad breakout for the next week with huge angry whiteheads all over my face.
Wow, Alexa! Let those shimmer cubes go…value yourself above any appearance created by them. There must be a gorgeous, natural alternative.
Before I went switched to all clean products, I noticed that my DiorShow mascara gave me painful eye styes! Even after I made the switch to a cleaner mascara, my eyes would still become aggravated. Liquid eyeliner also burned the crap out of my top eyelid if I swiped it on more than once at a time, strange! For me, the majority of bad reactions happen to my eyes. Scary.
Besides the eyes, I do get little pimples that pop up from heavy foundation which is why I now use a little bit of concealer.
This article has come at a good time because I’m purging old clothing that I do not wear any longer, and I keep a stash of dirty makeup which includes eyeliners that need to go as well.
I had bought some ‘glittersticks’ eyeliner from Avon, and it gave me pink eye! I guess that’s what I get though for buying cheap make up.
No super serious reactions, but lately every time I put on my eyeshadow one or both of my eyes eventually start watering uncontrollably. My mom asked if it was old and reminded me that you aren’t supposed to keep makeup more than 3 months or so. While I know this is true, the problem I have is that working from home I don’t wear makeup every day. Since I only wear it on the weekends if got new makeup every three months I would waste a ton of money. I looked into the Spirulina powder method, but since I’m a redhead it’s not really my color.
Hey there! It’s Melissa Dahl, the writer who’s doing the story on reactions to makeup for TODAY.com.
Cat, Alexa, Trudi and Andrea: If you happen to check back, I’d love to talk with you for the story I’m working on. E-mail me at melissa.dahl@msnbc.com.
Crossing fingers that you see this! Thanks :)
-Melissa
I thought I was strange for bare minerals breaking me out! I also used their “rare” minerals treatment powders and that blemish stuff and just got horribly broken out and rashy. I couldn’t figure out what the problem was, because I replace my makeup when I’m supposed to and wash my brushes weekly. There must be something nasty in there. I also thought that most hair products I would use for my curly, course dry hair would just automatically cause break outs on my hairline and neck, but since I’ve switched to John Master’s shampoos and conditioners, and only use Intelligent Nutrients and pure Jojoba oil, I’ve been fine. I think I’ve been a victim of gross chemical skin irritants, crappy waxes and petroleum products :(
I got a Borghese mineral makeup kit a while ago and pretty much slapped all of it on my face. Much to my horror about an hour later I broke out in an itchy rash on my lips that over the course of the next two days turned flaky and gross looking. The mineral lip glooses obviously had something in them that my skin could just not tolerate and I had to throw them out. I also get rashes above my eyes if I use any liquid eyeshadow (Clinique, neutrogena) and had a massive flare up of seborrheic dermatits on my face after using Clinique’s DDML. Apparently I’m allergic to lanolin.
I have had a problem with my eyes for two years now. every now and then one of my eyes start watering, it makes me look like i am sobbing. I cant see in the sun light it makes them water more. my eye sight is going fast, now i cant see without my reading glasses which are now the strongest i can find. Iv been to meny doctors around here iv been told its pink eye, a stye, allergies, among other things… they have given me creams and eye drops which none help. i quit wearing make up all together it irratates my eyes bad. cheap or expensive it doesnt matter. i use to wear make up daily but now i cant at all or i walk around looking like im crying. could my make up have started this?
Arbonne eye cream made my eyes tear uncontrollably. Their scrubs gave me a rash, too. Chucked the whole $100+ line–bummer. I rarely wear makeup–going to go into the bathroom and chuck everything in the drawer. :^(
OMG, this discussion is so timely! I, too, have been suffering from extreme eye sensitivity due to eye cosmetics and hair products. Like one of the commenters above, one eye seems to suffer. It’s always the same one. The eye becomes red and watery, eyelid starts peeling and looks red, and even the eyelashes have started falling out. Bright sunlight is unbearable and my reading vision has deteriorated. I got antibiotic prescriptions from an ophthamologist. Those helped, but the problems are recurring every time I wear eye make-up. Would love to use my prescription for Latisse, but can’t bear the thought of any more burning and redness. I do change mascara every three months, but my eye shadow must be 8 – 10 years old – never thought about it. I’ve started using a tiy bit of olive oil at night on the peeling eyelid.
I was using a moisturizer specifically for the eye area, and had it much too long (It was $200 and I was going to get my money’s worth)!.
As soon as I bought new product (as well as eye make-up and mascara) it went away and I felt much better.
I’ve learned that good products at the Drug Store usually work as well as the high priced products at the mall. Just keep them fresh.
My daughter gave me some Almay powder eyeshadow, a compact with three shades, and I really loved one of the shades. After I’d been wearing it (as an eyeliner) for several days it seemed that I’d contracted pinkeye, and since I had just gotten over being sick with a cough, I supposed those two problems were somehow related. But eventually I found that my eye trouble coincided with wearing this eyeshadow. I gave up on it and looked for another brand with a similar shade, and my eyes became red and irritated from at least two other brands also. In the end what it seemed to be was that I was allergic to the powder shadows that had even the slightest bit of sparkle to them. I have read that the ingredient used to create a sparkly or shimmery appearance is fish scales! So I am avoiding the sparkly eyeshadows now, but apparently my eyes and eyelids are becoming less and less tolerant of any shadow. Or possibly it’s the paint-on eyeliner I use these days, and then I apply the powder shadow over that to get the look and the staying power I want. I gave up mascara years ago partially due to my sensitivity to that. I am 50+ years old and my eyes are getting dryer and are a bit red most of the time, and I have to apply hydrocortisone ointment on the skin around my eyes at bedtime because of a couple of recurring patches of dry, red, itchy, peeling skin. I supposed it was eczema. I haven’t gone without eye makeup since sixth grade or so and I’m reluctant to give it up altogether! I don’t think the eye makeup I’m using is too old.
I bought a generic eye makeup remover cloth from walmart. Both a friend of mine and I bought them at the same time. We both used them and it was AWFUL! We both had red blotches all over our skin. We both realized that we had chemical burns from these makeup cloths. In the garbage they went.
Pressed powder by N.Y.C. gave me whiteheads once, so I stopped using it.
You talk throughout this article about tossing make-up because it gets old and contaminated – Then I go to your home page – you have an atricle about foundation – and you state – ONE TUBE LASTS FOREVER
I had to learn the hard way I guess.About 22 years ago I tried on some mary kay eyeshadow.My eyes swelled shut and my mom rushed me to the ER.They looked like something out of a sci-fi movie.And what is weird is I found out the only brand I can wear is The Color Workshop.It doesn’t break me out or cause any acne or any other reactions.But I avoid Mary Kay like the plague and Avon also.
HI. I .haven’t had a problem with cosmetics yet, thank goodness. but i have a question about skin care products. Over the last 5 years i have been watching HSN [ Home Shopping Network] and i became addicted to watching when Serious Skin Care was being featured….I got caught up in all the amazing skin care products and bought tons of them….I have eye and face serums..skin tightening and firming lotions and creams….masks..peels…moisturizers…anything you can think of….My problem is that I havent opened even a 1/4 of them….i bought them and never used them…Of course, I havent the faintest idea when they were bought..My sister “helped” me get organized and stashed all the unopened products in one box and now I really have no idea of their ages…..Some of them have vitamin C..some are in metal tubes..some have SPF 30…I also called the customer service line of Serious Skin Care and they said if unopened the product was good for maximum 2 years…Of course I didnt listen to them…I hate to throw $1500 worth of unused products out……..Maybe they just said 2 years to protect the company..Do you think I might be able to salvage any of these products?..thanks for your advice….debbie
I bought I cheap eyeliner from sally’s by BEAUTIQUE it was on sale 2 for 3 bucks I said let me tey it… As the day went on my eyes were a bit red. So I took my contacts out and washed my face getting this eye liner off me and within minutes there was puss forming in my eyes and the worst pain I have ever felt. It was a horrible night. NO more cheap stuff for me..
i have had a bad reaction with certain mascaras that made my eyes swell and with sheer cover mineral foundation for some reason it makes me break out and itchy. still on the search for a fountion that wont irritate my skin :D
I had a chemical burn from Mary Kay foundation in 2005 and every time I went to work out for the following two weeks the sweat would make the burn sting all over again IT WAS AWFUL. I have used Bare Minerals for the last two years but recently have been getting a really itchy, bumpy, red rash on my face and neck and when I looked it up it is caused by the Bismuth oxychloride in the makeup. YUCK!
Gorgeous Cosmetics is an Australian brand company that ‘prides’ itself on professional make up, Apart from the make up being clearly cut down so much that black comes out grey. Most of the time any of the products go near my eyes they swell up and become itchy and sore.
Mnay other people that have used these products have found their sin to break out horrendously, especially from the foundations.
Unfortunantly I have to work with this make up…
I’ve worn all sorts of make up over the years, from cheap to expensive, low quality to high quality and have never had a reaction at all.
If anyone ever comes across this make up avoid it like the plague either because of what it does to people skin or because of the terrible quality
I have bhc cosmetics eye shadow pallets and everytime I put eye shadow on for a few hours or more my eyelids get itchy. By the time I take the make up off my eyelid is swollen. I bought these eyelid wipes from the grocery to remove any unwanted debris on the eyelid and they relieve the itching but the swelling takes days to go away! If I only wear mascara I’m fine, but eye shadow for some reason does this to me. It never used to happen before. I don’t know why it is happening now!
I bought some Creme de la Mer; everytime I used it I would have this really funky taste in the back of my mouth, kinda like the one you get when you use eye drops for an infection. It was seriously gross and I know it was the CDLM because any other time I tried to come back to using it the same thing happened. Weird, right?
I used Almay eyeliner and within two hours, I had an extreme amount of pus oozing out from both eyes. I took off my makeup but my eyes still feel like there’s sand stuck in the lids and they’re very red and irritated. So much for hypoallergenic makeup.
Almay’s eye makeup remover, which has been my favorite for years, apparently had a defect in the bottle I had purchased recently and caused an awful allergic reaction after I took my eye makeup off. The skin around my eyes got very red, started burning and my entire eye area swelled up like I had been crying for days (which at that point, I wanted to). Over the next week the skin proceeded to peel and flake off while my eyes themselves constantly teared up. It was awful.
Aside from all the chemicals used in the product it has always made me feel like I’m going blind after I use it…my vision is so blurry, probably from all the mineral oil in the product. I tried so many other natural eye makeup remover brands but they did the opposite…dried my eyes (and the skin around my eyes) out.
From now on I’m using either Jojoba or Sweet Almond oil to take my eye makeup off. No more chemicals, no more risk of bad batches.
I’ve tried using Bareminerals twice thinking it’s “healtier” than other brands, Both times, once about 9 years ago and now, having given in and bought the starter kit a few weeks ago. The first time the reaction was really bad- all over my face and lasted for about 2 weeks. This time it took about 2 weeks and started just around my nose, .
I knew to stop using it immediately,but it’s persistent and doesn’t want to clear up.
I hate that stuff and it’s expensive and messy to boot!
everytime i wash my makeup off, i get these black lines in my eyes and i have to take them out, they almost look like small black veins? its everytime i wear liike eyeshadow, eyeliner or masaccara and i dont know what it is! somebody please help!
I had a reaction earlier this year to an eyelash curler – seems I am allergic to the metal in curlers. It was bad as I couldn’t figure out what had caused so I continues using the curler. Took me awhile but I figured it out and my face healed.
Recently I have just had a reaction to Urban Decay’s primer potion. It seriously dried out my eyelids and left me with a scaly rash. ewww.
I recently bought Almay’s intense-icolor in purple amethyst. After about 8 hours on the first day I used the liner my eyes were so red, itchy/burning with major yellowish discharge. I went to the dr. the next morning because I thought I had conjuncitivis (as did the doctor). I was given a prescription eye drop and 10 days later, went out, bought new makeup (including another almay eyeliner in purple amethyst) and after 6 hours I starting getting the same reaction. It’s painful, annoying, not to mention DISGUSTING.
Recently I have been suffering profound headaches. Despite a multitude of tests nothing could be found. I now suspect it is the Avon foundation I am using and have stopped using it. My eyes stung and watered unbelievably but I thought it was because of the headaches!
every time I wear makeup I get pimples.
Almay oil free eye makeup remover stung my eyes and inflamed my eyelids. The kick in the britches – the stuff does not even remove mascara!
I am sitting here with red burning eyelids. Caused by KatVon D eyeshadow primer. I us it once before and assumed that the burning then was due to the sponge tip applicator being contaminated. This time it only took one day of application, and my eyes look like I have permanent pink eyeshadow on. My eyelids are burning and itching almost 4 days after I quit using it, so avoid KatVon D eyeshadow primer!! I returned it to Sephora and warned them as well.
I am a model so I wear makeup often due to photos. I had a make up artist use Rommel London brand new watched her take it out of package. 2 hours later my eyes swell shut turned red and discharge. I was given a Dose of Benadryl and eventually fine but it left me weak and tired not to mention lost me the job! I am very crazy now about who and what product line!
I woke up with the worst red, itchy, painful eyes this morning and all I can think it could be from is my new eyeliner i bought from Clinique in Violet! I wore it one day and that evening my eyes started burning, when I woke up the next morning they were sealed shut with discharge and swolen. I love the eyeliner, I’ve used it before in different colors. I’m pretty certain my eyes are having a reaction to the purple dyes, not fun!
whenever I wear foundations I have a “chemical burn” reaction. Atleast to most products, the worst was to the cover girl foundation that Ellen degeneras is a spokes person for. I normally don’t wear very much makeup because of this, also face cleansers are terrible too. I have to use all natural products a.k.a. very expensive products that I can afford! I recently had a professional photo shoot done and it was in black and white so they used alot of makeup on me, even airbrushed on foundation. I am hurting now because of the red scaley raw skin it caused.
What can I treat my skin with after this happens to minimize the affects?