The first thing to remember is the less fragrance the better. Perfumes and perfumed cosmetics are the major allergens. Besides the usual redness and irritation, they can do strange things in sunlight. A brownish or smoky streak may appear where perfume was applied to the skin, usually behind the ears or on the neck – a reaction unique a fragrances.

Certain lipsticks and deodorant soaps, too, have been known to cause burning and irritation only under exposure to sunlight. If you still want to splash on a pleasant scent, make your own scented water by packing rose petals or lavender in a jar of cold water. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice. After 10 days, strain and use as a subtle, refreshing perfume.

Lipstick are usually made of oil, waxes, dyes and perfumes. If you like the ”wet look” on your lips but react to the lanolin in lip gloss, smooth petroleum jelly over applied lipstick. If the perfume causes trouble, look for unscented lipstick. Use a sponge applicator, not your finger, to apply foundation, lipstick and eye shadow (rubber sensitive people should use latex or natural sponges).

Nickel sensitive people should use only stainless steel eyelash curlers and tweezers. They may also have to avoid nail polish with a metal mixing ball – solvents in the polish may leach out nickel. Eye irritation is less likely if mascara is applied just short of the inner and outer corners of the eyes. Also, brush mascara only on the outer two thirds of your lashes.

When applying eye shadow or liner, leave a thin makeup free zone along the edges. Never use liner on the inner rim of the eyelids. Wand style applicators should be used for no longer than four month, to avoid the build up of bacteria and the risk of eye infection. Also, do not spit on liner, mascara or eye shadow to moisten it – that, too, fosters growth of bacteria.

If your makeup starts to wear off during the day, it's safer to patch it up than remove it and start all over again. This minimizes exposure. Use plain mineral oil to remove eye makeup. Commercial eye makeup removers are generally composed of mineral oil and fragrance. Nonoily removers, on the other hand, are harsh and drying.

Never go to sleep at night without removing your makeup. Above all, don’t use any eye product that irritates your eyes it the hope that you will get used to it. The irritation will only get worse.

If you find a product that agrees with you, stick with it. Jumping from one brand to another only increase the like hood of exposing you to a new allergen. For a nondrying, alcohol free astringent, combine four parts water to one part apple cider vinegar. Swab on with cotton balls.

People allergic to corn should not use powders containing cornstarch. Apply nail polish carefully, to avoid bumping it against cuticle or skin. Also, nail polish is not allergenic once it has thoroughly dried, so allow 10 to 15 minutes before touching anything – especially your eyelids, face or neck.

Be wary of cream and lotion collecting under your rings. Mouthwashes can create all kinds of problem on the soft, delicate tissue inside the mouth, including redness, ulcers and even ”bald spots” on the tongue. The reactions disappear as soon as the mouthwash is discontinued. If you feel you need a breath freshener, chew on a spring of fresh parsley or suck on a whole clove.

The hair dyes most likely to produce a reaction are the oxidation type and those containing the chemical paraphenylenediamine. The allergic reaction may occur a few hours after application and usually becomes full blown after one or two days – so a patch test done just before your hairdresser is about to dye your hair is really no predictor of reaction.

Other coloring methods – progressive dye, semi permanent organic dyes (like henna) and hair rinses – seldom cause trouble. Ask your hair-style-list to help you choose a less allergenic product. Sunscreen lotions are a must for sunbathing. But have you ever used a sun-block and gotten a reddened, blistery rash anyway?

You could be allergic to the fragrances or benzocaine in the product – or even to PABA, a highly effective and otherwise safe sunscreen ingredient. An effective alternative is sunscreen containing benzophenone. Fragrance free deodorants and antiperspirants with aluminum chlorohydrate are less likely to cause Allergic Reaction.