An area of my life that really gets me down, is my allergies. What really gets to me is that there’s nothing much I can do to prevent my symptoms. Taking an antihistamine treats my symptoms after the allergy shows up. One of my allergies flares up with drastic changes in temperature, like getting out of a warm bed to tend to a crying baby. A vast temperature change will almost always cause a sneezing fit, itchy roof of my mouth, itchy/watery eyes and congested sinuses. Yuck!
My other allergies have to do with my skin. Specifically, I’m allergic to colophony or rosin and lots of things contain this product. When it comes to finding skincare products, it can take a few applications before I get a reaction. My reactions can be as severe as puffy, almost closed eyes to pimply-itchy spots on my face. Needless to say, my skin is never blemish free as it’s so difficult to pin point what product caused the reaction.
Rosin – iStock Photo
The concealer brand I have used for years, has suddenly started making my eyes puff up. I found myself standing in the cosmetics department of my local department store reading the minuscule ingredients list on the concealers. I found one that didn’t seem to have any dirivations of colophony printed on it, grabbed a foundation for safe measure and headed to the counter.
The sales assistant was curious as to why I’d chosen this particular brand. Perhaps she was making small talk, or possibly she was devising a product pitch to launch my way. I told her about my allergies, the list of nasties I need to avoid and my frustrations in finding make up.
She immediately told me about all of the allergy testing Clinique does (on humans) before launching a product and offered to show me the range and test some on my skin. She matched a foundation to my skin tone and gave me samples to take home and try for a few weeks as my allergies often appear after a few days. She had such a lot of time for me (even with a hungry toddler in tow) that I walked away feeling optimistic.
I’ve been using my cleanser, moisturiser, foundation and make up remover for a week and my skin is actually healing! It covers up my sun spots from too many years spent on sailing boats and gives my skin a healthy sheen. I am going to give it a few more weeks but I have to say, it’s looking like I may have found a product to suit my allergy prone skin. I’m so excited! I have gone make up free for too long. It’s nice to feel good about my skin at the moment.