As you
know my blog centres around my eczema and allergies. I am lucky to have
opportunities to test products but sometimes I have to turn them down because
beauty products can contain my food allergens. For the first time ever I was questioned by a Company offering me a product containing one of my
allergens. It may seem odd to
refuse to test a hair styling product. However, I have to consider the
percentage of product that I can absorb via my skin and if it could come in
contact with my mouth (transference from hands if not washed immediately after use).
Pai
Body Cream and Dr Organic Coconut range are off limits for me because they
contain orange. If I consume
oranges (or their relations like tangerine or mandarin) I get a rash and
asthma. Let me tell you that for many years I suffered an itchy scalp even
after switching to SLS free shampoo. When I was at my wits end I read the
ingredients over and over again and the common factor between brands I had tried was orange. Once I switch
to brands free from orange my scalp has rarely itched. It could be pure coincidence
but it may not.
Most
recently I have started to break out with eczema across my shoulders. For many years I have washed my hair over the bath as this limits the contact with eczema on my body. Out of laziness (and a sore back) I went back to washing it in the shower. I have been using
Unique Nature Green Moisture Shampoo since
September. When I blogged about it Dairy Free Baby & Me pointed out it
contains Whey. Could the sudden outbreak of eczema be a reaction to this ingredient? Is it a
coincidence? Could I build up a reaction
over time? It’s certainly food for thought (pun intended!).
When I
had my skin prick test at 10 years old I have no idea whether any one said to
my Parents I was to avoid my allergens in skin care. My Mum will tell you how sore my skin was when it came in contact with certain skin care but she wouldn't have checked ingredients. It's certainly something I have
taken upon myself to do in recent years. It is just as important to me as avoiding as many synthetic ingredients as possible. Of course I am basing this on personal experience. I find it interesting that some natural
brands promote being allergen free (Sophyto is Gluten free & Premae is free
from 8 common allergens).
If you
are suffering from sensitivities and have food allergies it may be worth
thinking outside the box and looking at the food ingredients you are putting onto
your skin. I would love to hear from others in the same position as me. I am fortunate to not have anaphylaxis as I imagine if you are then avoiding food allergens in your beauty routine is necessary. But for everyone else with milder reactions or intolerance, are you avoiding food allergens in skincare? Have you noticed reactions via
your skin? Do you worry about products coming in contact with your mouth? (e.g. lip balms or face creams).
Sarah x
Sarah x
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