Preventing cosmetic allergies

PREVENTING COSMETIC ALLERGIES

At CODAGE Paris, we are committed to offering skincare that is both effective and respectful of your skin. We carefully select the highest-quality ingredients for their safety and tolerance, ensuring formulations that are strictly allergen-free*. However, despite these precautions, it is important to note that we cannot guarantee a complete absence of skin reactions, irritations, or allergies. Every skin type is unique and may react differently, even to the gentlest ingredients.

WHAT IS A COSMETIC ALLERGY?

Also known as allergic contact dermatitis, a cosmetic allergy occurs when a product triggers an immune response. This reaction may appear as redness, itching, swelling, or rashes. Symptoms can vary from person to person depending on skin sensitivity and may appear immediately after application or after repeated use. Allergic reactions can worsen over time and require immediate cessation of product use.

NUT AND PLANT OIL ALLERGIES IN COSMETICS

At CODAGE Paris, we frequently receive questions about allergies, particularly those related to nuts.

Our formulas may contain certain plant oils, including oils derived from nuts (sweet almond, hazelnut, macadamia, shea, coconut, etc.), which are carefully selected for their purity and skin tolerance. These ingredients are widely used in cosmetics for their beneficial properties and are generally well tolerated.

It is important to make a clear distinction between two types of allergies:

• Food allergy, which occurs when the immune system reacts to an ingested food.
• Skin allergy, which occurs after direct contact between the skin and a substance perceived as foreign.

These two forms of allergy are not automatically linked. Even if someone is allergic to a nut when ingested, they may not react **to a cosmetic oil derived from the same nut, especially when **refined, since refining removes most proteins that trigger food allergy reactions.

However, caution is advised, as each skin type is unique and highly sensitive individuals may still react to trace amounts.

For this reason, we always recommend:

• Performing a patch test before using any new product.
• **Consulting a healthcare professional **(physician or allergist) if you have a known history of allergies, especially severe ones.
• Contacting us with any questions about the composition of our products – our team is here to provide clear and transparent information.

At CODAGE Paris, we formulate our products with the most sensitive skin in mind, using ingredients selected for their purity and tolerance, to provide a safe and sensorial experience.

DIFFERENTIATING IRRITATION FROM ALLERGY

Irritation is an immediate, localized reaction caused by contact with a potentially aggressive agent. It is not an immune response. It often depends on the skin’s sensitivity and tolerance to the concentration of active ingredients. Fragile or reactive skin may be prone to irritation.

How to distinguish irritation from an allergy?

If the reaction occurs immediately after application and disappears quickly after rinsing, it is likely irritation. If the reaction persists, worsens, or occurs with every use, it may be an allergy.

TESTING A PRODUCT BEFORE FULL USE

To minimize risk, we recommend always testing a new product before applying it to your entire face or body, especially if you have a history of allergies. Here’s how to perform a tolerance test:

1. Apply a small amount of the product to a clean, dry, small area of skin, such as the inside of your forearm or behind the ear.
2. Leave it for 24 hours without rinsing and observe for any reactions.
3. If no redness or irritation appears, you may begin using the product as normal.

If in doubt, or if you have particularly sensitive skin, it is always recommended to perform this test before each new application.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION

If an undesirable reaction occurs after applying a product, follow these steps:

1. Immediately stop using the product(s).
2. Rinse the affected area thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove all traces of the product.
3. Apply a soothing or gentle reparative cream to calm irritation.
4. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a dermatologist, who can advise you on appropriate measures based on your reaction.

We also recommend keeping the product and its packaging, as they provide valuable information for your doctor or dermatologist.

As part of our cosmetovigilance approach, we encourage you to complete the cosmetovigilance form available on our website. This form allows you to report any adverse reactions and provides us with the information needed to investigate. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve our products and ensure their safety.

*Excluding our three therapeutic body oils containing essential oils (Relaxing Oil, Stimulating Oil, and Draining Oil).

Updated on: 06/11/2025