topic Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :((( in Beauty

Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

Cardamom — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 12:13:35 GMT

I've been having a problem for months with itchy raw eyelids. It's taken me a while to figure out what it was. I suspected my Chocolate Bar palette but sometimes I had no reaction at all. Turns out half the shades in the palette include this potentially irritating ingredient and so does my Shadow Insurance Primer I have loved for a while. Right along my lash line and outer corners were bothered the worst. That is where I line my eyes with the shadow since I don't usually use eyeliner. I checked other TF palettes and see they used this ingredient in all the palettes I checked. Looks like no more Too Faced for me. I was such a huge fan too. Oh well, at least half my palette will still work for me. I just thought I would bring this up in case anyone has been having any issues. I guess you can just become allergic to bismuth at any time!

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

shelinmi — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 13:08:35 GMT

Well that stinks! I get eczema from just about all eye shadows and that red rash with flaking skin look is soooo attractive. I will have to look for that ingredient on the one Clinique eyeshadow that doesn't give me an issue and see if that is the answer!

I once had a reaction to a Dior foundation that was the absolute best color match I have ever had. It was like a chemical peel gone wrong. No perfume smelling cosmetics for me!

Thanks for your story Cardamom.

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

Trix — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 13:14:38 GMT

It's never nice to have any kind of negative reaction to a cosmetic product. In addition to being irritating they can be self-consciously unsightly (rashes, red eyes, and so on). If you've used other products in the past which contained bismouth this may not be the culprit. Sometimes it is fragrances and dyes used by the manufacturers which are more irritating than anything else.

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

Cardamom — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 16:31:33 GMT

On 6/20/2014 shelinmi said:
Well that stinks! I get eczema from just about all eye shadows and that red rash with flaking skin look is soooo attractive. I will have to look for that ingredient on the one Clinique eyeshadow that doesn't give me an issue and see if that is the answer!

I once had a reaction to a Dior foundation that was the absolute best color match I have ever had. It was like a chemical peel gone wrong. No perfume smelling cosmetics for me!

Thanks for your story Cardamom.

Your welcome. I know Clinique is supposed to be hypoallergenic. I was so surprised when I recently tried two of their face washes and had a really bad reaction on my eyelids. I didn't even use it to wash my eyes. It just traveled off my forehead and over my eyes when I rinsed. That probably does not have bismuth so maybe I am sensitive to other things. Sorry about your experience. Itchy eyes does not sound so bad to a chemical burn. Dior, who would have thought?

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

Cardamom — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 16:32:50 GMT

On 6/20/2014 Trix said:
It's never nice to have any kind of negative reaction to a cosmetic product. In addition to being irritating they can be self-consciously unsightly (rashes, red eyes, and so on). If you've used other products in the past which contained bismouth this may not be the culprit. Sometimes it is fragrances and dyes used by the manufacturers which are more irritating than anything else.

You may be right. I am trying 4 bismuth free shades from the Chocolate Bar. So far so good. Tomorrow I will try 4 shades with it. I probably should have done that first before starting a thread. . I'll check back.

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

hicindy2 — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 16:34:53 GMT

Bismuth has always given me red rashy bumps. I always have to check ingredient decks. Goes away after a week though. I have to look out for mineral based products especially.

Purples (eye shadows and liners) can sometimes give you problems too. No perfumes even in lipstick and no SPF in lipstick for me either. Causes swelling. Don't do well with peppermint in glosses either.

Sigh...at least when you know, you save $$.

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

Cardamom — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:03:40 GMT

Ooh sorry Cindy. I think I only have the problem on my eyelids. It's in my Hourglass Lighting powders. I try to keep that and any make up away from my eyes. Interesting how it is in different colors. Some of the bismuth shades in my palate are shimmery and some are matte, some are colored and some neutral. I guess bismuth is natural too. I was looking for a new eye primer and it's even in Tarte's eye primer. . Tarte does a lot of those peppermint glosses, just FYI.

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

Katcat1 — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:09:05 GMT

Gosh, I feel for you. You should stick with cosmetics that are hypo-allergic like Clinique, alba Botanica, almay, Bobbi Brown & Laura Mercier (both have some), etc. Many years ago I became allergic to a certain brand mascara. after a month of no eye makeup (that was tough because I was about 21), I started using Clinique. Now I actually can wear several brands but I try to stick with ones for sensitive eyes. Good luck to you.

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

HappyDaze — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:15:05 GMT

I never even knew Too Faced used that ingredient. I wonder if that is just some of the newer products. I will have to check my older palettes. Fortunately, I haven't experienced a problem with that ingredient. Sorry you are experiencing that because it is not fun.

I actually had reactions to Clinique skincare and some of their eyeshadows years ago and they are suppose to be hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic does not guarantee you won't have a reaction because it depends on what you are allergic to.

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

suzyQ3 — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:38:53 GMT

On 6/20/2014 HappyDaze said:
I never even knew Too Faced used that ingredient. I wonder if that is just some of the newer products. I will have to check my older palettes. Fortunately, I haven't experienced a problem with that ingredient. Sorry you are experiencing that because it is not fun.

I actually had reactions to Clinique skincare and some of their eyeshadows years ago and they are suppose to be hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic does not guarantee you won't have a reaction because it depends on what you are allergic to.

I was under the impression that "hypoallergenic" means about as much as "natural" when it come to labeling terms.

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

HappyDaze — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:41:17 GMT

On 6/20/2014 suzyQ3 said:
On 6/20/2014 HappyDaze said:
I never even knew Too Faced used that ingredient. I wonder if that is just some of the newer products. I will have to check my older palettes. Fortunately, I haven't experienced a problem with that ingredient. Sorry you are experiencing that because it is not fun.

I actually had reactions to Clinique skincare and some of their eyeshadows years ago and they are suppose to be hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic does not guarantee you won't have a reaction because it depends on what you are allergic to.

I was under the impression that "hypoallergenic" means about as much as "natural" when it come to labeling terms.

exactly! lol! Or as much as "Dermatologist tested"!

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

Cardamom — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:41:47 GMT

On 6/20/2014 KatCat1 said:
Gosh, I feel for you. You should stick with cosmetics that are hypo-allergic like Clinique, alba Botanica, almay, Bobbi Brown & Laura Mercier (both have some), etc. Many years ago I became allergic to a certain brand mascara. after a month of no eye makeup (that was tough because I was about 21), I started using Clinique. Now I actually can wear several brands but I try to stick with ones for sensitive eyes. Good luck to you.

Thanks KatCat. I recently got a Clinique GWP with a shadow quad and mascara and have no problems with them, just their cleansers unfortunately. They work so good!!

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

Wackers3 — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:41:54 GMT

On 6/20/2014 HappyDaze said:
I never even knew Too Faced used that ingredient. I wonder if that is just some of the newer products. I will have to check my older palettes. Fortunately, I haven't experienced a problem with that ingredient. Sorry you are experiencing that because it is not fun.

I actually had reactions to Clinique skincare and some of their eyeshadows years ago and they are suppose to be hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic does not guarantee you won't have a reaction because it depends on what you are allergic to.

Very true - hypoallergenic is not any guarantee that you won't have a reaction to something in any product. I stated having problems with powder shadows about 10 years ago so have to really watch what I use. I have reacted to bismuth since trying MM with it in them. I have noticed bismuth in some of the oddest products lately - even skincare which I found surprising.

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

Cardamom — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:44:22 GMT

On 6/20/2014 HappyDaze said:
On 6/20/2014 suzyQ3 said:
On 6/20/2014 HappyDaze said:
I never even knew Too Faced used that ingredient. I wonder if that is just some of the newer products. I will have to check my older palettes. Fortunately, I haven't experienced a problem with that ingredient. Sorry you are experiencing that because it is not fun.

I actually had reactions to Clinique skincare and some of their eyeshadows years ago and they are suppose to be hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic does not guarantee you won't have a reaction because it depends on what you are allergic to.

I was under the impression that "hypoallergenic" means about as much as "natural" when it come to labeling terms.

exactly! lol! Or as much as "Dermatologist tested"!

The Clinque cleansers burned my eyelids quickly. I felt it immediately and they felt burned where with my eyeshadow problem they feel itchy, not nearly as bad. I am wearing Clinique powder foundation which has the bismuth *sigh* but I'm doing okay with it. I just don't apply it near the eyes.

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

Cardamom — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:46:34 GMT

On 6/20/2014 wackers said:
On 6/20/2014 HappyDaze said:
I never even knew Too Faced used that ingredient. I wonder if that is just some of the newer products. I will have to check my older palettes. Fortunately, I haven't experienced a problem with that ingredient. Sorry you are experiencing that because it is not fun.

I actually had reactions to Clinique skincare and some of their eyeshadows years ago and they are suppose to be hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic does not guarantee you won't have a reaction because it depends on what you are allergic to.

Very true - hypoallergenic is not any guarantee that you won't have a reaction to something in any product. I stated having problems with powder shadows about 10 years ago so have to really watch what I use. I have reacted to bismuth since trying MM with it in them. I have noticed bismuth in some of the oddest products lately - even skincare which I found surprising.

I'm surprised too it seems to be in everything. I'm also wondering if it is bothering me more since the heat and humidity have arrived. ??

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

Cardamom — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:49:07 GMT

On 6/20/2014 HappyDaze said:
I never even knew Too Faced used that ingredient. I wonder if that is just some of the newer products. I will have to check my older palettes. Fortunately, I haven't experienced a problem with that ingredient. Sorry you are experiencing that because it is not fun.

I actually had reactions to Clinique skincare and some of their eyeshadows years ago and they are suppose to be hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic does not guarantee you won't have a reaction because it depends on what you are allergic to.

HD bismuth is also in Mally's easy on the eyes 2 pallete. The one with the white cover. I haven't checked her other ones. I'm using her primer now. I don't love it but it's not giving me any problems. At least in her shadows it seems to be way down the ingredient list. I would wear and love your Too Faced shadows if they don't bother you. Lucky!! I love Too Faced, I hear Primer Potion is just as good as Shadow Insurance and it doesn't have it.

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

suzyQ3 — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 18:18:18 GMT

On 6/20/2014 HappyDaze said:
On 6/20/2014 suzyQ3 said:
On 6/20/2014 HappyDaze said:
I never even knew Too Faced used that ingredient. I wonder if that is just some of the newer products. I will have to check my older palettes. Fortunately, I haven't experienced a problem with that ingredient. Sorry you are experiencing that because it is not fun.

I actually had reactions to Clinique skincare and some of their eyeshadows years ago and they are suppose to be hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic does not guarantee you won't have a reaction because it depends on what you are allergic to.

I was under the impression that "hypoallergenic" means about as much as "natural" when it come to labeling terms.

exactly! lol! Or as much as "Dermatologist tested"!

I always got a kick out of "dermatologist tested." Okay, so some derm tested it. And??? Did it pass the test? Fail? What????

I know, I know. It's just semantics, but still.

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

Cardamom — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 18:23:01 GMT

I thought hypoallergenic meant it does not have irritating ingredients but from what I read on line bismuth is irritating to many people. It's like these little glass shards poking you. My clinique powder has it and it's supposed to be hypoallergenic. When I returned a Clinique face wash the lady seemed shocked, that it was impossible I had a reaction to it. She suggested it was something else but oh no! I felt it immediately. It was the clinique. I tried a different cleanser and had the same reaction. Both were really highly rated by PC (BEST.) I guess you never know.

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

suzyQ3 — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 18:40:52 GMT

On 6/20/2014 Cardamom said: I thought hypoallergenic meant it does not have irritating ingredients but from what I read on line bismuth is irritating to many people. It's like these little glass shards poking you. My clinique powder has it and it's supposed to be hypoallergenic. When I returned a Clinique face wash the lady seemed shocked, that it was impossible I had a reaction to it. She suggested it was something else but oh no! I felt it immediately. It was the clinique. I tried a different cleanser and had the same reaction. Both were really highly rated by PC (BEST.) I guess you never know.

Cardamom, I thought I had remembered looking up this ingredient in PC's Cosmetic Ingredient dictionary. Here is her analysis, which seems to make sense. Note that she gives it only an "average" rating but does seem to indicate that adverse effects usually occur when it's the main ingredient in powder products, but maybe some people, like you, are more sensitive to it:

<h1>bismuth oxychloride</h1>

Rating:: Average
Categories:: Thickeners/Emulsifiers , Absorbent

<h2>What is bismuth oxychloride</h2>

The standard primary ingredient included in most powders that are referred to as "mineral makeup." The claim for bismuth oxychloride (which is also known as synthetic pearl) is that it is all-natural and better for skin than talc. In fact, in many ways talc is a more natural, unadulterated, pure ingredient than bismuth oxychloride. Bismuth oxychloride, which seldom occurs in nature, is manufactured by combining bismuth, a by-product of lead and copper metal refining, with chloride (chlorine compound) and water. It's used in cosmetics because it has a distinct shimmery, pearlescent appearance and a fine white powder texture that adheres well to skin. Bismuth oxychloride is heavier than talc. Pure bismuth is a naturally occurring, grayish-white powder. It and its derivatives are used as skin protectives, thickeners, and absorbent agents. Bismuth oxychloride was permanently listed by the FDA as a coloring agent in 1977 and as a synthetic ingredient (Source: The International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, Eleventh Edition, 2006).

<h2>Is bismuth oxychloride irritating?</h2>

Some people react to bismuth oxychloride due to its unique crystalline structure. What happens is that the crystals can "poke" at skin and get stuck in the pores, where the sharper "spokes" can cause irritation. This is more of a problem when bismuth oxychloride is the main ingredient in powder makeup.

Re: Suddenly allergic to bismuth oxychloride and Too Faced :(((

Katcat1 — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 18:45:52 GMT

There are two cleansers that I use: alba Botanica Hawaiian with coconut milk & Avalon Organics CoQ10 soap free. In your case, you would have to read all the ingredients but I personally have no reaction to either one. Under $10 & both last a long, long time. Check out iherb.com Take care.