SAFETY OF COSMETICS

Why it is important to Patch test the soap FIRST before adding it to your routine.

  1. The most common skin reactions to a cosmetic product are:
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    Irritation or “irritant contact dermatitis”. It is the most common skin reaction to a beauty or cosmetics product. You could have burning, stinging, itching, and redness in the area where you apply the product.
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  2. Skin allergies or “allergic contact dermatitis”. Sensitivity or a true allergy to a specific ingredient in the product causes redness, swelling, itching, or blisters on the skin. Essential oils are usually the biggest culprits.

 

Other safety concerns that may be associated with cosmetic and personal care products include eye infections, irritation and scratches on the eyes, or spreading of bacteria on the skin.

Using your cosmetics and personal care products properly can help reduce many risks.

A basic precaution is to do a patch test first:

Apply the soap (Create lather and spread it on your wet skin in a gentle circular motion) on your inner elbow/jawline and observe for the next 24 hours. If there’s no reaction, you can apply the soap to your face.

If the skin is sensitive, continue the test for 7 days. This helps ensure you are not allergic to any ingredient. If irritation occurs, please discontinue the soap and consult a dermatologist.

ESSENTIAL OILS AND PREGNANCY

Topical essential oils can cross the placental barrier and harm the fetus, especially during the first three months.

If you are interested in using essential oils or products containing essential oils during pregnancy, labour or breastfeeding, you should talk to your healthcare provider before use.

ESSENTIAL OILS AND CHILDREN

Infants and children have thinner skin and less developed livers and immune systems. This makes them more vulnerable to potential toxicity associated with essential oils use. Following safety guidelines and exercising extreme caution is crucial. You should always consult a healthcare provider before using essential oils on or around infants and children.

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After 2 years, certain essential oils can be administered topically and through aromatherapy methods, but at a much weaker concentration than adult dosing.

Special risks associated with the use of essential oils in infants and children are the following:

  • ​Peppermint essential oil should not be topically applied to children under the age of 6 years.
  • Eucalyptus essential oil should not be topically applied to children under the age of 10 years.
  • Lavender and tea tree oils should not be topically applied on males who have not reached puberty to prevent hormonal abnormalities that encourage breast growth.
  • Camphor oil should not be topically applied to children under the age of 6 years.

 

Talk to a medical provider before using these essential oils on or around infants and children.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SAFE USEOF ESSENTIAL OILS, PLEASE VISIT

https://naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/safety

​​These guidelines cannot be regarded as a complete safety guide for the use of oils, essential oils, herbs or spices. As a general rule, before using oils, herbs, spices or essential oils, internally or externally, always perform a test to look for and prevent adverse reactions.

​When in doubt, and especially in the case of disease or special conditions like pregnancy or breastfeeding, skin conditions, epilepsy, asthma or in the case of infants and children, you should seek the advice of a health care provider for guidance.