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Help! Sudden mascara allergy?
  • DBritt
    I am 50 and have used Lancome mascara for about 20 years without complication. 5 yrs ago, I switched to Arbonne and had no issues until about a year ago. I started getting a pimple like thing in my lower lashes every now and then. This morphed into an occasional stye type sore near the corner of my eye in my upper lashes. Now, my eye(s) will turn red and bother me plus the lash area is itchy and sore. Over the past 6+ months, I have gone back to Lancome, back to new Arbonne, and even tried Maybelline out of desperation to find something which would work. The only thing that helps is going without mascara over the weekend or longer. Is there any product out there which is truly hypo-allergenic? It isn't a pretty sight without mascara.. Are these symptoms consistent with an allergic reaction to mascara? Thank you to anyone who can help!
  • lindygirl1960
    Not a Brain but the one question that immediately springs to mind for me is how often do you change your tube of mascara? From what I understand you should change mascara at least every 3 months or it can get bacteria in it and cause major problems. You should never add anything to mascara and never share it with someone else. 

    I think if I were having the continuing issues you are experiencing I would see a doctor when I am having the problem and find out for sure what is going on.

    I use Maybelline and Rimmel mascaras with no problems myself. Mascara doesn't have to be expensive to be good and it makes no sense to spend a lot on a product that has to be replaced so frequently in my opinion.
  • DBritt
    Thank you for your response. I have had several new tubes during this experience including Maybelline. I did a search on the net and many women complain of this problem but there are no solutions regarding a product which is working for anyone. I was hoping there was a company making mascara which is truly hypo-allergenic or has a different composition that works for people like me. I confess, over the 20 years a Lancome tube is used for 6 months until it is dry. :o)  cause it is so expensive...At the time, 25 years ago, I believe I was having trouble with Maybelline so my husband bought Lancome and I stuck with the Lancome for our wedding and after. I just bought another brand to try next week. I never add anything to tubes because of bacteria growth. Thanks again for responding. If I ever find one that works, I will change it every 3 months. :o) (this one is 1//3 the price too)
  • georgia
    Almay makes hypoallergenic mascaras. Have you tried them?
  • DBritt
    No, I will check it out. Thanks

  • sarahf
    I'm guessing once you have an infection you may keep re-contaminating your new mascara (and then re-contaminating your eyes with it) until a doctor treats the underlying infection.  Then you'd have to forego mascara for a while before breaking out a fresh tube.
  • NataliaPessoa
    Yes I agree with sarahf. Try treating your infection before buying a new mascara. 
  • DBritt
    The eye doc said there is no infection. My redness is inflammation which is more consistent with an allergy. Bummer
  • sarahf
    Thanks for the follow up!  I'm sorry to hear you have an allergy--I hope you can narrow down what you react to.  But try no mascara for a while and see how you do.  An allergist (? is that the name of that specialty?) might be able to tell you what the most common culprits are that are present in mascara.  Usually, certain things are more likely to cause allergy than others, so that might help narrow down what it is.  Your primary doc could refer you.  You could also ask if it would help to patch test a new product before applying it to the eyes.  In the meantime, use an eyelash curler and eyeliner (if you tolerate that) to enhance/define your eyes.
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