Are Your Cosmetics and Skin Care Products the Cause of Your Acne?

Most people can use cosmetics freely with no side effects, but a small group of users who might be more sensitive to its ingredients might develop cosmetic acne. This condition affects mostly adult women and men alike. If you start using make-up in your adolescent years, you might also be at risk of having cosmetic acne too.

If you do not have acne ever in your life, but start having breakouts after you start using some cosmetics or other skin care products, it is a very good reason to suspect that you might be suffering from cosmetic acne. This type of acne is triggered by topical factors and is easier to treat compared to acne caused by hormonal reasons.

Cosmetic acne is usually present as small, raised whiteheads or small, inflamed papules and pustules over the face where the product has been applied, predominantly over the cheeks, chin and forehead. It develops gradually over weeks and months of repeated use of a comedogenic product and may be persistent for a long time. Most people are unaware of the connection between their outbreaks and the acne-causing product and continue using even more cosmetics to cover their acne problem. This leads to a vicious cycle, which only makes the acne worse!

Ingredients in cosmetics that may aggravate acne include lanolin, analogs of isopropyl myristate, algae extract, cocoa butter, laureth-4, lauric acid, octyl palmitate, decyl oleate, octyl state, coconut oil and D & C red pigments.

Lanolin is one of the most common culprit of cosmetic acne. It is a fatty acid extracted from sheep's wool and is thought to smooth out skin, but its skin penetrating effect aggravates acne as well. Isopropyl myristate is also an aggressive penetrator that it is known to be a major ingredient in rust removers! This chemical and its chemical cousins are often used in skin foundations, to create a smooth and slick effect of application. Little does the user know that what she is putting on her face can potentially cause her acne!

Your blusher may also be causing you cosmetic acne, as the red tints in some blushers are made from D & C dyes derived from coal tar derivatives. These are comedogenic and will clog your pores, aggravating your acne. Strong fragrances used in cosmetics will also worsen your acne as it may cause you allergy or irritation to your face if your skin belongs to the more sensitive category.

It is almost impossible to remember all the chemical compounds that may cause you cosmetic acne. Some people might be more tolerant to them and some might have allergic reactions even with the slightest bit of their chemical presence. As a general rule, it is best to use widely tested cosmetics from well-established brands, and those they have labeled non-comedogenic. If you observe acne breakouts after you start using a new brand of skin product, try to discontinue its use to see if your skin will get better. If it doesn't, probably you might be suffering from acne due to other factors instead. Do seek treatment and help early before your acne gets out of control!

20 Nov 2008 20:12:01

Roche ordered to pay $13M to users of acne drug - The Associated Press

CaymanMama.com (press release) Roche ordered to pay $13M to users of acne drug The Associated Press - All three began using Accutane a decade ago to treat teenage acne . One of the group is expected to soon have his colon surgically removed while the others ... New Jersey Jury Awards $12.9 Million to Three Patients Whose Use ... Roche drug litigation suit pays $13M to Accutane users

Source: http://google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iHhsNERGmhnU5I~

20 Nov 2008 15:03:57

Arcutis Pharmaceuticals Announces FDA Approval of Acanya Gel for ... - Business Wire (press release)

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Source: http://businesswire.com/news/google/20081120005135/en

20 Nov 2008 05:38:32

The pill isn't the best answer for acne - AsiaOne

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Source: http://health.asiaone.com/Health/Ask%2BThe%2BDoctor/Story/A1~.html

13 Nov 2008 17:45:53

CSI USA, Inc. Issues Voluntary National Recall of Topical Acne Cream - MarketWatch

The Money Times CSI USA, Inc. Issues Voluntary National Recall of Topical Acne Cream MarketWatch - No other acne medications sold by Dollar General, Kroger or Wal-Mart are affected by this recall. CSI USA, Inc. 170 Commerce Way Gallatin, TN 37066 Attn: ... Various brands of acne creams are recalled

Source: http://marketwatch.com/news/story/CSI-USA-Inc-Issues-Volunta~.aspx

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