Shampoo and sneaky allergens

Shampoo was a difficult area for me to find something that worked and I didn't react to.  I used to be a huge fan of Lush Shampoos, in particular Daddy-O (cos its purple and smells of violets).  But the reality is that they have far too many allergens in that I am sensitive to.  When I started the strict RPAH Elimination Allergy Diet I had to change many aspects of my routine that you wouldn't think of.  It took my 4 weeks to figure out that my toothpaste was the cause of the rash around my mouth. I spent a fair chunk of time and money buying hair products and I thought I would talk about the items I keep repurchasing because they are safe for me.

I should say first that I am very lucky with my hair.  Its not excessively dry - I do heat-style it frequently during term time when teaching, which is why I look for "moisture replenishing" products, I can get away without conditioning if I'm not styling.  It takes a few days for me to get greasy.  My hair is dead straight but I dont have issue with static and it grows quickly.  So I dont look for major help with my haircare products (unlike my skin). Therefore I tend to keep things simple. 

I tried the no-shampoo routine with Bicarb and Vinegar (cept I had to use Citric acid because of the amines in vinegar).  Yeah, no. Didn't care for it too much.  I worked through massively greasy bit and my scalp had adjusted, but I didn't find the "wow" factor that many people rave about.  And when it came time to re-dye my hair, I needed a shampoo and conditioner to get the henna out and couldn't be bothered going through all that again.

The shampoo and conditioner I am currently using is Tresemme Moisture Rich Shampoo and Conditioner (light blue label below). 

Why do the new bottle crumple?  Why?!

Shampoo Ingredients : Aqua (Water), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ammonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Tocopheryl Acetate, HelianthusAnnuus (Sunflower) Extract, Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Leaf Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Extract, FoeniculumVulgare (Fennel) Seed Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl, Hydrolyzed WheatProtein, Dicaprylyl Ether, Lauryl Alcohol, Quaternium-22 Polyquaternium-39, Polyquaternium-10 Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, ButyleneGlycol, Citric Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Triethanolamine Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone Methylisothiazolinone,Butylphenyl Methyl Propional Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool Parfum (Fragrance)

Conditioner Ingredients : Aqua (Water, Eau), Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, AsparticAcid, Quaternium-18, Parfum (Fragrance), Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Linalool, HexylCinnamal, Limonene, Panthenol, Geraniol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, PEG-9, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Amyl Cinnamal,Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Methylisothiazolinone, Butylene Glycol,Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) Seed Extract, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Epilobium AngustifoliumFlower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (SweetAlmond) Seed Extract, Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Leaf Extract

The ingredient list isn't short, but there are some good things in there such as the camellia sinesis oil which is well known in AB for its excellent hair conditioning abilities.  Both have some keratin in as well, but I'm not too sure how much of a true benefit they provide at the levels they sit at.  on the plus side the scent is very mild and you cant detect it the next day apart from smelling "clean" so I dont get a headache from it.

Once a week I use the clarifying Tresemme Deep Cleansing Shampoo (green label above).  This helps greatly with product build up, this was an issue I had because I am very fond of styling my hair. 

Ingredients:
Water (Aqua, Eau), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ammonium Chloride, Fragrance (Parfum), Disodium EDTA,Dicaprylyl Ether, Lauryl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citric Acid, Methylchloroisothiazolinone,Propylene Glycol, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Green 5 (CI 61570), Methylisothiazolinone, Ascorbic Acid,Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Triethanolamine,Hexylene Glycol

I was concerned about the Grapefruit and Lemon extract but they are very low on the list and as I use this once a week I think that reduces the risk of allergen build up.  I have not noticed an increase in hives or such after using this product.
I tend to focus the conditioner on the lower 10 cms of my hair. I tend to use 2 full bottles of shampoo to one bottle of conditioner - no matter the brand.  You can see that the Moisture Shampoo is the new bottle and the conditioner is still the old bottle!

If I don't condition I will use Schwartzkopf Extra Care 6 Miracles Oil Essence.  
Cyclomethicone, Dimethiconol, Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, GardeniaTahitensis Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Oil, Octocrylene, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool,Limonene, Coumarin.

This is the second hair oil I have tried. The first one was Aldi's Lacura Argan Oil.  Didn't really like that - was too heavy for normal wear so I tend to use that as a hair treatment.  To be honest - I only bought this was because it was 50% off at Woolworths.  But I do like it and have found it to be light enough to use frequently, I can also use it as longer treatment if I apply more.  Also no irritation from this one.

Schwartzkopf can be a bit hit-and-miss for me.  I cant use their hair-sprays, but I haven't been able to pinpoint what it the trigger for me, so I just avoid all of them.  I tend to use Tresemme hairsprays or VO5 (blue cans - never ever the pink cans) hairsprays.  

What I trialled along the way was Schwartzkopf Extra Care Nutri-Protect with Rose Oil, but this provided too much moisture for my hair and my hair would look sad and lank the very next day, but did not irritate my skin.  I wash my hair every 2 to 3 days, and have a collection of dry shampoo's that I rotate and use when the urge strikes.  Typically I go for Klorane but have also started branching out into Batiste.  One important thing I have to do is check to see what the main powder - Corn Starch (Maize) or Rice (Oryza Sativa).  I avoid any dry shampoo that has corn starch.  Made that mistake once.

Overall I tend to get for Tresemme products because I've not had a bad reaction to any of them.  that for me is the main selling point for buying hair products.
What do you look for when buying hair products?

Triggers and Flare-ups Part 1 - Always read the label

As much as I would like my skin sensitivity to be a relatively straightforward contact dermatological reaction, my reality is that I have allergies that are affected by what I eat as well, and environmental factors. So with Melbourne's fairly confusing Autumn weather, my hayfever is acting in a similar way as when its spring.  Such fun.

To say my immune system has been through some battering at the moment would be an understatement - what with getting sick and then having an alleric reaction last week (thanks rain). However I pretty much can rule out any thing I've put on my skin or eaten because I've been VERY strict with my diet at the moment.

I have the trifecta of immune issues - asthma, eczema (genetic mutation and lack of filaggrin) and allergies (with anaphylactic reactions for some triggers).
"Allergies get better as you get older", well no, in my case they have become worse.  The difference is that now I am more aware of what my particular allergens are.  I've been to a few Immunologists for this, not dermatologists as the issue is not just skincare - its the whole body.

I follow the RPAH Failsafe allergy diet 90% of the time (family celebrations excluded). I manage my diet quite carefully and have to make choices about my food and the long term effects.
This diet aims to eliminate Salicylates, Glutamates, Amines and Preservatives from ones diet to minimise immune system flareups which can present as hives, mood swings, migraines, increased blood pressure to name a few.

The worse culprit for me is Salicylic Acid.  Common use?  Aspirin - derived from willow bark.  Also found in these foods (not a full list, and the ones with an asterisk I simply avoid totally).

-tomatoes

-strawberries

-green apples* 

-onion*

-corn

-oranges*

-lemons (lesser extent to orange)

-mint family

This website : FedUp Food Intolerance Network is my go-to-guide.  

So if I wanted to have pizza for dinner - I could have it one night.  The in the week leading up to it my food would have to be to very plain and for about a week afterwards as well.  Only through my recent testing did I discover the enormous range of foods that have Salicylic acid in (like spinach, I love spinach, spinach does not love me).  Meals out and "treats" have to be calculated for the risk they will present.

Salicylic acid is found in many acne-treatment products, so I am very lucky that I don't get acne! Otherwise I'd be in a bother.  It is also the main acid used in BHA products, so I tend to look for AHA products for chemical exfoliation.  AHA's are better for dry skin generally and BHA's are targeted for oily skin.

How does diet link to skincare and makeup?  Read the ingredients list on the back of the product.  I had an allergic reaction to a dry shampoo and could not figure out why UNTIL I read that ingredient list throughly - Benzyl Salicylate was quite high on the list.  I have now become the crazy lady who reads the ingredient list in the shop and mutters to herself.  There has been a steep learning curve.  I wish Australian/US/UK products made it easier to buy samples like Asian products do, considering the high mark-up cost of products in Australia, trial-and-error can be very costly.

These allergies are the main reason why I dont like to use "organic" and "natural" products, because they frequently have the addition of oils or extracts.  For example the Natio Rosewater and
Chamomile Gentle Skin Toner (sounds lovely), but here's the ingredients:

Looking so innocent

Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Rose (Rosa Spp) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Cymbopogon Martini (Palmarosa) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Oil, Ceteth-20, Fragrance (Parfum), Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glucose, Bisabolol.

Simply due to the orange oil being in there, this product is one I will avoid.  Oranges are one of the worst things for me to have (the sad part is I absolutely love the smell of orange).




Garnier Fructis Conditioner also has a range of essential oils, which sound lovely in practise, but in reality would cause an allergic reaction.

So friendly, how could it go wrong?

Aqua / Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Starch Acetate, Niacinamide, Saccharum Officinarum Extract / Sugar Cane Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Camellia Sinensis Extract / Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Pyrus Malus Extract / Apple Fruit Extract, Pyridoxine Hcl, Cetyl Esters, Citric Acid, Citrus Grandis Oil / Grapefruit Peel Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract / Lemon Peel Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Parfum / Fragrance,

I avoid Garnier Fructis as par the course - they always seem to cause a reaction - whether they have allergens in or not.  This is a brand I would suggest not using if you have uber-sensitive skin.

Sukin is a brand that touts itself as using organic and natural products, but make sure you carefully read those ingredients!  I was tempted to buy some of their range when Priceline had 3 for 2 recently, but there were no testers available so I just didn't risk it.  I've heard rave reviews about their Sensitive Cleansing Gel, but the presence of avocado made me wary, which I why wanted to test it first.

I'm organic, look I've got a leaf on my label.

Ingredients: Purified Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (Chamomile), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil (Rose Hip), Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Citric Acid.




DermaSukin seems to be their hypoallergenic range - I have their Daily Gentle Wash and it is gentle enough to use on my face as well.  So bonus points for that.  I got this in a Goodie Bag from Priceline, I dont know if I would repurchase it.  It's not mind blowing in terms of what it does.

Only actual innocent one of the lot

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid.






It takes a lot of research and reading of labels to know what is safe and what to avoid, but the risk of having an allergic reaction makes the time spent researching very worthwhile.  I would say 70% of my shopping time is reading the labels.  And googling up Latin names of plants - I've learnt quite a few now.  I would say the next step of refining the products I use is to research the chemicals used in them and see if there's any connections to skin flare-ups, which there probably are.

Another area to be aware of is the Laundry Detergent you use.  I don't go near any supermarket laundry detergents.  Even walking along that aisle will make me sneeze!  I make my own laundry detergent, and have been doing so for around 3 years.  I use the recipe from the Down-To-Earth Blog and am very happy with how it works.  If I have a flare up (like now) washing gets put in the drier to make sure all nasties are killed/removed from heat.

My next post will be on things I've been trying to help reduce the inflammations in my skin, both for face and body.

Do any of you have allergies?  How do you manage it in your lifestyle?

When things go from bad to worse.

My immune system is taking a fair beating at the moment.

I've just gotten over the conjunctivitis I developed before Easter, but that itself caused a sinus infection.  Days of migraines from the pressure so I haven't been able to do very much at all apart from watch YouTube and go down the rabbit-hole that is reddit.

And thanks to Melbourne's very confused weather my allergies have gone nuts.  I haven't eaten anything that would cause a massive reaction like this and its very localised on my cheeks (butterfly rash/mask).  I currently have a red and sore face so am feeling quite sorry for myself.

I have applied my Avene Cicalfate about 3 times today and yesterday as well, but gave in this evening and applied a light layer of a cortisteroid cream to help it settle overnight.

I managed to test some products before everything went crazy, so I will be posting them up over the next few days, but at the moment, sticking to my trusty products. But I know it will take up to week to settle down realistically.  I'm also going to have to stick to the stricter version of the RPAH Diet for a while.

Does anyone else get bad allergies when it rains and then clears up?  Or get irritated skin when you actually get rained on?