Melanie is miserable: Recently, I had a terrible allergic reaction on my lips to the Primal Elements Lip Plumper. Shortly after putting it on I had severe swelling, bumps, peeling, on and on. My dermatologist prescribed cortisone cream that seems to be working it will be awhile until it’s completely healed. Do you have an idea of what could have caused a reaction. Maybe the cinnamon? Do you have any suggestions about lip balms that will be safe to use in the future.
The Left Brain provides lip service:
We’ve written about lip plumpers before, so I looked at the ingredient list of this product and I have some theories about which ingredients might be the problem.
Spicy hot?
First, you asked about cinnamon. That’s a good guess because Cinnamic aldehyde, a component of cinnamon oil, is known to cause allergy contact dermatitis. Symptoms include a rash, intense swelling, and redness of the affected area. (If you`re interested in learning more, here’s a good link from Dermnet.)
However, that doesn’t seem to be the likely culprit for your lip gloss because Primal Elements doesn’t contain cinnamon oil, it contains Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate which is a sunscreen. While the name sounds like cinnamon, it’s not. Some people are sensitive to sunscreens, however, so you could look at the ingredients on other products you buy and see if you’ve used this one before.
Icky irritants?
What else? Well, Menthol and Camphor are mild irritants that could be causing the problem. And Benzyl Nicotinate is added to give your lips the tingling feeling that lip plumpers are supposed to provide. You might be reacting to that.
Smells like fragrance
Finally, fragrance is always one of the usual suspects when it comes to skin reactions. The good news is, probably any lip gloss you try will have a different fragrance than Primal Elements. The rest of the formula seems unlikely to cause a problem.
The Beauty Brains Bottom Line:
If you look for a lip gloss that doesn’t have ethyl methoxycinnamate, menthol, camphor, benzyl nicotinate and that has a different fragrance, that should help.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
my daughter used the bare escentuals lip plumper and had a severe reaction. sore, burning, itching, red swollen lips. it has been three weeks ans is still dealing with the symptoms. any suggestions???
Hi there:
I had a similar reaction to a “Plump your Pucker” lip gloss. It is very uncomfortable and the first time it happened it lasted for over 3 months.
In the end, I did contact a dermatologist and broke down and started using a cortisone cream. This was the only remedy or treatment that worked. I tried all forms of natural balms, as well as traditional over the counter drug store brands like blistex and carmex.
If the problem persists, perhaps you should consult a skin specialist. Good luck.
Beverly
WELL, IT’S FRIDAY APRIL 16TH 2010 AND I AM EXPERIENCING THE WORST ALLERGIC REACTION IN RELATION TO BARE ESENTUALS BUXOM LIP GLOSS PLUMPER. I RECEIVED THE LIP GLOSS AS A THROUGH IN THE COSMETIC BAG PERK AT NORDSTROM A FEW MONTHS AGO. EVERYTIME I PUT IT ON I WOULD FEEL THIS INTENSE TINGLING SENSATION, NOT SO DIFFERENT FROM THE FEELING YOU GET FROM EATING A BAG OF SALTED SUNFLOWER SEEDS WITH SHELLS, EXCEPT YOU KNOW THAT IT GOES AWAY. THIS HIT ME ABOUT AN HOUR AGO AND WITH IN 10 MINUTES MY UPPER LIP WAS SO SWOLLEN AND OUT OF PROPORTION TO MY LOWER LIP THAT IT HAS BEGUN TO SPLIT OPEN AND IS VERY PAINFUL. I HAVE TAKEN 2 ANTIHISTAMINES AND AM GOING TO PUT A COOL RAG ON MY LIPS. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE INTENSE HEAD ACHE AND BLURRED EYESIGHT HOWEVER. I PLAN ON GOING TO THE EMERGENCY WITHIN 30 MINUTES IF I DON’T GET ANY RELIEF,. MY LIP IS STARTING TO BLEED FROM THE SPLITTING NOW. IT FEELS LIKE THE SWELLING WILL NOT STOP. WELL…..I HAVEN’T A CHOICE NOW. I’M OFF TO ER. I WILL TRY AND KEEP READERS POSTED. I KNOW ONE THING. BARE ESCENTUALS PLUMPING LIP GLOSS COMPANY WILL 100% HEAR FROM ME TODAY……