BACK TO BASICS

Article Read Duration 3 min read

Simple steps can make a big difference. Wash your hands before applying any products to your skin. Keep an eye out for expiry dates and storage instructions (“store in a cool dry place”…). Even remembering to put the lid back on a pot of cream after application can help.

ALLERGIC SKIN
FRIENDLY SKINCARE

If your skin tends to react, seek out products specifically formulated for sensitive-to-allergic skin. Think hypoallergenic at all times. And when it comes to the ingredients list 0% fragrance, 0% alcohol and 0% unnecessary ingredients is a good start.

BEEF UP
YOUR BARRIER

You can’t control everything that your skin comes into contact with on a daily basis – pollen, pollution, pet fur etc. – so invest in soothing, super-safe formulas that reinforce your skin’s barrier function.

PICK YOUR
PACKAGING

Did you know that allergens in cosmetics don’t always come from the formulas themselves, but can actually make their way into packaging after it’s opened? The worst offenders in this regard are jars, as the product is exposed to the air and comes into contact with fingertips. Tubes are generally better, although if you have allergic-type or ultra-reactive skin, go for special packs that use a one-way valve to stop backflow into the formula. This is known as anti-retrocontamination packaging. [TOLERIANE ULTRA]

BE AN
INGREDIENT DETECTIVE

If you experience allergic-type reactions to cosmetics, keep track of the ingredients in the products that you might be allergic to. There are safety search engines available online where you can find out more, as well as a slew of barcode scanner apps. But remember, an allergist consultation is the best way to establish exactly what you are allergic to.

MIND
THE METAL

Metals such as nickel are among the commonest causes of contact dermatitis. If you are allergic to nickel, you probably already avoid costume jewelry, but did you know that some cosmetics also contain nickel? Look for the label “nickel-controlled.”

WASH
DAY

Cosmetics aren’t the only products that touch our skin. A major cause of allergic-type skin reactions is laundry detergent. Opt for hypoallergenic, non-biological detergents and try rinsing twice to remove every last trace. Finally, a tumble dryer is a good investment as line-dried clothes can become laden with itch-inducing pollen.

PATCH
TEST

If you are buying products from a reputable and allergy-tested pharmacy brand, patch testing should not usually be necessary. But some products such as PPD hair dyes are particularly likely to cause allergic reactions, so consider patch testing before use.

  1. Take a small amount of dye onto a cotton bud and apply somewhere inconspicuous, such as behind your ear.
  2. Cover with a non-absorbent dressing (ask your pharmacist for something suitable).
  3. Leave on for 48 hours. That’s how long contact dermatitis takes to develop.
  4. Remove the dressing and look at the skin. If it is normal, you’re good to go. If there is any redness, scaling, rashes or blisters… steer well clear of that product.

If you’ve not followed these tips and are prone to “allergy face,” click HERE for quick fixes to soothe and conceal reactions.

Look HERE for basic information about allergies.

TRUE
OR FALSE

True or False Visual 3

YOUR MAKE-UP BRUSH
CAN GIVE YOU ALLERGIES.

TRUE  "True" answer image

Make-up brushes and applicators can be real dust and allergy traps, so need to be washed regularly. Clean your brushes with hypoallergenic soap, or make-up brush cleanser to get a clean bill of health.
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True or False Visual 1

NO SHOWER IS THE BEST
POLICY FOR ALLERGIC SKINS.

FALSE  "False" question image

If you don’t cleanse at the end of the day, you are leaving allergens and irritants such as pollen and pollution in contact with your skin all night long. They can interfere with skin's barrier function and cause irritation.
Learn More
True or False Visual 2

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
ARE NEVER ALLERGENIC.

FALSE  "False" question image

Certain fruits and vegetables contain high levels of compounds called salicylates(related to aspirin). In salicylate-sensitive individuals, foods rich in these compounds can actually make allergic symptoms such as hay fever, asthma, eczema and skin reactions worse.
Learn More
True or False Visual 1

ALCOHOL CAN MAKE
YOUR ALLERGIES WORSE.

TRUE  "True" answer image

Alcohol is a potential cause of skin allergy. In fact, scientists have shown that alcohol can make any allergic reaction worse, whether it’s asthma, allergic rhinitis, or different kinds of skin rash. It is partly due to the histamine and sulphites molecules contained in these alcoholic beverages.
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Question mark icon

Did you
know?

woman holding a jar of La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5, with a blue background

If not correctly treated, sensitive skin is 2 to 5 times more likely to develop medically diagnosed skin allergies*.

* Source: FARAGE 2008 British Association of Dermatologists. British Journal of Dermatology 2008 159, pp231–266

WE HAVE ALSO
A RANGE FOR THAT

TOLERIANE is a range of products designed to hydrate, soothe and protect sensitive to allergy-prone skin.

OUR SAFETY
COMMITMENTS

Safety standards beyond international cosmetics regulations.

a model with their eyes closed showing their skin being allergy tested

100% PRODUCTS
ALLERGY TESTED

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One Prerequisite = Zero Allergic reactions
If we detect a single case, we go back to the labs and reformulate
a product head with an essential active dose

JUST THE ESSENTIAL,
AT THE RIGHT ACTIVE DOSE

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Developed in collaboration with dermatologist and toxicologist, our products contain only the necessary ingredients, at the right active dose.
a baby model with sensitive skin

TESTED
ON VERY SENSITIVE
 SKIN

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Our products' tolerance is verified on the most sensitive skin: reactive, allergic, acne-prone, atopic, damaged or weakened by cancer treatments.
a model's face with a product on their forehead to protect their skin

FORMULA PROTECTION
OVER TIME

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We select the most protective packaging associated with only the necessary preservatives, to guarantee intact tolerance and efficacy over time.

LEARN MORE ABOUT
WHAT IS ALLERGIC SKIN