Makeup for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) has been linked to the prevalence of toxic synthetic ingredients in our daily lives, including our makeup products. There are steps you can take to minimize its effects and lower your risk of developing MCS.

Choosing makeup for multiple chemical sensitivity is an effective and important step.

What is MCS? There is sensitive skin, and then there is skin with multiple chemical sensitivity. Two very different conditions. Sensitive skin is a skin type that is irritated by certain ingredients, chemical or natural. MCS is a severe sensitivity to a variety of pollutants – Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), solvents, synthetic fragrance, and petro-chemicals – and can occur in any skin type.

 

While MCS produces an allergic-type reaction, unlike common allergies the cause can be difficult to pinpoint, making treatment challenging. Avoidance of toxicants is the primary course of action for MCS sufferers. While MCS symptoms vary widely, they are often the same as of common allergies. This often results in misdiagnosis by healthcare professionals. Symptoms of MCS may include:

  • burning, stinging eyes
  • wheezing, breathlessness, nausea
  • extreme fatigue/lethargy
  • headache/migraine/vertigo/dizziness
  • poor memory & concentration
  • runny nose (rhinitis)
  • sore throat, cough
  • sinus problems
  • skin rashes and/or itching skin
  • sensitivity to light & noise
  • sleeping problems
  • digestive upset
  • muscle & joint pain

To determine whether symptoms are the result of MCS certain criteria are taken into account. MCS usually exhibits allergic-type reaction to both high and very low levels of toxins, is ongoing and recurrent, and caused by many different triggers. Symptoms of MCS most often decrease when triggers are absent.

 

What makes certain people more susceptible to MCS? A variety of factors can make an individual more chemically sensitive. Those with frequent or longer exposure to toxins, genetic predisposition of sensitivity to a wide range of everyday toxic chemicals, and allergy-sufferers are all more likely to suffer from MCS. While MCS often comes on later in life, children are especially sensitive to chemical sensitization.

Most conventional makeup products contain ingredients that can cause MCS, such as synthetic fragrance, petrolatum, and parabens. Artificial fragrance ingredients are some of the most harmful cosmetic ingredients, and high on the list of ingredients that cause MCS. Even products labeled fragrance-free can contain synthetic fragrance ingredients to mask the real scent of the product. Other cosmetic ingredients may become reactionary because of chemical processing. Using makeup for multiple chemical sensitivity, made with natural and organic ingredients by manufacturers with clear commitment to safety in cosmetics, is helpful in minimizing your exposure to toxic chemicals.

At True Natural, we are very selective in the products we carry, only stocking the very best in safe, natural products. Our makeup lines include products made with healthy natural and organic ingredients, never any toxic synthetics. For a closer look at how we choose our products read our Ingredient Policy. Lavera, Benecos, and True Natural are high performance, natural brands that create beautiful makeup with your safety and good health in mind. You do not have to compromise your health (or looks) with these quality nontoxic products.