allergy to MAC products?

sincitylulu · 11-02-2005, 07:24 PM #1 (**permalink**)

I have been using MAC eye shadows, mascara, eyeliner the whole bit for a year..and all of a sudden when ever I use it my eyes turn pink...everyone else uses my make up and they are just fine. Does anybody else have this problem? I hope I am not allergic. I have a lot of money spent on MAC.

cathys312 · 11-02-2005, 07:32 PM #2 (**permalink**)

You let other people use your eye make up? That's probably why your eyes get irritated. Everyone has different germs and such in their eyes that get into the products. They might not be allergic/irritated by them but there's a good chance you are. Hope that helps! =)

sharronmarie · 11-02-2005, 07:34 PM #3 (**permalink**)

The very same thing happens to me!! At first I thought it was my contacts, but when i would wear my glasses the same thing would still happen!!! I agree, i've spent soo much on MAC this past year that I dont know what I would do if I couldnt even use any of it!!!

glorie · 11-02-2005, 07:34 PM #4 (**permalink**)

it's because your product may be old. eyeshadows have a 1 year shelf life...i believe.
That's what we were told at the counter I work at.

caffn8me · 11-02-2005, 07:53 PM #5 (**permalink**)

Products with a shelf life of less than 36 months are required by both US and European law to display a symbol on the packaging that looks like the one below (it indicates six months shelf life)

Eye shadows don't display this symbol because their shelf life is longer than 3 years. They don't really deteriorate with age - at least not according to one of M·A·C's senior trainers who taught the M·A·C course I attended recently.

caffn8me · 11-02-2005, 08:39 PM #6 (**permalink**)

OK, I've done a bit of poking around and have found a very interesting website which lists ingredients in cosmetics and potential hazards associated with them;

M·A·C Eye Shadows

Please note: the risks may be overplayed as this is an environmental lobbying group with a political agenda. The "risk score" and associated "concern rating" is not particularly scientific as different factors aren't appropriately weighted according to their real risk factors such as prevalence and potential severity of adverse reactions. Also, no weighting is attached to the concentration of particular ingredients used in a product.

What I would strongly suggest is that anyone experiencing an adverse reaction which they believe to be caused by M·A·C cosmetics should contact M·A·C customer services on US phone number 800.387.6707 as they have a team that specifically deals with reports of adverse reactions.

If there are sufficient reports of adverse reactions to a particular product they may reformulate the product to remove particular ingredients which could cause such a reaction but they do need to know that there are reactions occuring. If nobody contacts them they will simply assume that the formulation is right for everyone.

72Cosmo · 11-02-2005, 09:34 PM #7 (**permalink**)

I wouldn't let anyone use my eye make up expecially since your eyes seem to be sensitve.

sincitylulu · 11-02-2005, 10:23 PM #8 (**permalink**)

the only person who ever uses my eye make up is my cousin and she doesen't use all my eyeshadows.I bought some new eyeshadows that nobody ever touched and used them...within two days I got, red, itchy eyes, I take zyrtec and it goes away..I guess no more MAC..I am afraid to wear any type of eyeshadow now

user4 · 11-02-2005, 10:27 PM #9 (**permalink**)

did anyone that used it have some kind of infection? they might have given it to you.

caffn8me · 11-02-2005, 10:29 PM #10 (**permalink**)

Sincitylulu - it's probably a good idea to get an appointment with a dermatologist if you can for patch testing to determine what ingredient is actually causing your reaction. That will give you a much better idea which products you should avoid in future.

Please also contact M·A·C and let them know about your reaction.

bluegrassbabe · 11-02-2005, 11:45 PM #11 (**permalink**)

That has happened to me when my mascara gets past it's prime. Now I make sure to replace it every six weeks to avoid irritation. My eyes are sensitive anyway. I haven't had any reaction to other products. I have some eyeshadows that are 3 or more years old.
It's most likely an allergy. You are not too likely to get an infection from sharing a powder product. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but most likely not. Bacteria needs moisture to grow, and there is nothing in the powders for it to feed on.

rose_arcana · 11-03-2005, 01:06 AM #12 (**permalink**)

sincitylulu, is it just particular colours that do it, or everything? I've heard some people say that reds or dark purples can sometimes create allergies, because of some ingredient in it. And I recently found that my new Nocturnelle e/s and Macroviolet fludiline give me slight red eyes the next day after wearing them, so I think I'm in the same boat.

I've also been allergic to other brands of makeup and didn't connect that most of the products have been dark purple e/s or eyeliners until I read that others were allergic to purples also!

72Cosmo · 11-03-2005, 12:10 PM #13 (**permalink**)

I have heard for years that of all the allergies to makeup that purple tones are the worst. Were these purple tones? If they are you might only be allergic to that dye.

caffn8me · 11-03-2005, 01:09 PM #14 (**permalink**)

Putting my scientific hat back on yet again, if folks would like I can post a new thread on what a sensitization reaction is and how it might affect folks. Any takers?

sharronmarie · 11-03-2005, 03:23 PM #15 (**permalink**)

That would be great!!!

joytheobscure · 11-03-2005, 05:59 PM #16 (**permalink**)

Do you use fluidliners? I have had an allergy to a black dye in mascaras and blacktrack fluidline and certain other mascaras, if I find one that works I stick with it but it only seems to be the shades with black in it. It makes my eyes very itchy (eyelids) but I can use them sparingly. There is only one mascara I use and I have no clue why it doesn't bother me.

sincitylulu · 11-03-2005, 07:16 PM #17 (**permalink**)

well I find this allergy happens with all colors. I also use Zoom lash mascara, and Engraved E/L..I changed mascaras, I thought maybe it was the mascara...but I bought new Zoom mascara and still the same thing happens.my eyes turned red and very itchy I also noticed I was starting to get red bumps on my eyelids...a dermatologist gave me a lotion and it cleared up..The doc says some times it takes a several uses before you start reacting to it..It would be a good a idea to post a thread on sensitization reaction..thanks