Silk Naturals

I am wondering if I have an allergy to the silk in the foundation. next time, I'm planning to order the vegan formula to test my theory, but in the meantime: can somebody with a silk allergy tell me what it looks/feels like?

Allergies from silk might really be considered a sensitivity, rather than an allergy unless you have more than just a skin reaction. Allergies technically have to ellicit more than one body response...like a rash and trouble breathing. Usually, a strong sensitivity would show up right away, within a few hours. Probably some kind of small red bumps that are hottish. I am not an expert, but I do have sensitive skin. The things I react to are pretty immediate...within hours. The ones that happen over time are harder to pinpoint exactly. It could be anything from a brush issue to developing a silk sensitivity, or the weather.

I just thought of something else.....have you used silk powder straight in the past? There is some in the foundation but it is a lower percentage than other ingredients. I know you have more of a non-traditional mix for your foundation...can you remind me what it is?

Yes, I've used the straight silk powder, and initially I didn't have trouble with it. But now I have all these bumps on my face that seem like perioral dermatitis or some kind of contact irritant. They are like milia in appearance, but they are sensitive and painful (and sometimes itchy) like a fledgling pimple, except they are indurated (hard) and don't go away, though it is possible to make them "weep" a clear fluid when they get a little older (a couple of weeks). I also had a cold sore on my lip recently - can one get them elsewhere on the face? Maybe it's that.

The only thing that helps them is Dr. Bronner's soap, but the relief is only temporary. It seems like the soap dries them out and makes them less irritated. But they're back after just a few hours.

I was wondering if I could have developed a sensitivity to the silk over time, like doctors do to gloves, y'know?

Usually I use either original coverage foundation OR perfecting powder with a refill baggie of silk powder, and then I tint it. I am kind of all over the place with my mix, though.

I haven't changed brushes or habits, or face care habits. I am wondering if it might be my hair product or laundry detergent, but since I knew some ppl on here had silk allergies maybe I'd just see if it could be that?...

I can't afford a doctor on this one, and I FULLY understand that nobody here is qualified to give me medical advice. I'm just looking for some helpful brainstorming, if possible. PM me if you like. Thanks.

Could anything have contaminated your silk powder? While minerals are technically inert, silk powder can harbor bacteria. Did you get it wet, or is it older than normal? Or could it it have been exposed to something without you knowing?

Not that I know of... I mean, there's always the chance it did get contaminated though - traveling, or whatever. Sneezing on it. Who knows. Maybe I should just start over with another package of foundation. I hadn't really thought about the bacteria -- good point.

It sounds like your skin isn't happy about something. Is it just on your face or is it on the rest of your body? Could it be something like keratosis pilaris or even chicken pox?

Usually I "self diagnose" by taking some Tagament (it's an antihistamine, but it won't make you drowsy). If it's an allergy it will go away after a few days of taking Tagament. If it doesn't go away then it's something else. When I get contact allergies from things it usually presents itself as a crusty rash, inflammation, redness, itching, or hives, but bumps are certainly not outside the spectrum of allergic responses.

It's on my face and neck. It's worse on my neck - more inflamed, more swollen, and more painful. It moves around - one week it'll be bad in one patch, the next in another. It's not chicken pox - but my acupuncturist told me it looked like keratosis pilaris (she didn't use that name, but said it looked "like those bumps people get on the backs of their arms"). Occasionally, I get them on my chest, but they're not very bad and they're isolated (not whole patches like on my cheeks and neck)

I note, upon reading further about the condition, that the BHA toner may be the way to go, and that I should probably exfoliate more regularly, if that's indeed what it is.

I'm glad I asked - thanks! I bet that's exactly what it is. It's been much worse since it got cold and dry here.

EDIT: I bet this is why I had such good luck with the hemp moisturizer. I confess I am not using it anymore and switched to a shea/aloe thing I bought at the farmers' market.

it kind of sounds like eczema... bumpy hard and dry reddish patches...Could also be KP...

Hi Zeebs,

It does indeed sound like KP, but you mentioned cold sores and when I re-read your post it sounds like it **could** be something to do with them.

Cold sores can crop up anywhere (I usually get them just inside my nose when I have a heavy cold and have been blowing my nose a lot) and once you've got 'em they never actually go away - they are a type of herpes virus which once you've contracted it 'hides' in your nerves and then when you're run down, exposed to UV light (or whatever your trigger is), redevelop - usually in the same place - at the site of the nerve ending.

This past year I have developed them in a little tiny trail between my nose & upper lip - can appear slightly bumpy, itchy, sometimes a bit scaly, but not always filled with fluid (whatever you do, in case your bumps are cold sores do NOT squeeze them - the clear fluid is what carries the heaviest viral load hence making it easier to spread). It could be that a brush you use for foundation or the lid of your foundation jar (if you use it for swirling) has become contaminated with some virus if it is an outbreak of cold sores.

I usually buy over the counter Zovirax (or something else containing acyclovir or vancyclovir) which does the trick; a couple of home remedies that some people find to work are neat tea tree oil, the funny looking red smudge you get left in a glass of red wine left overnight after you've finished your glass applied to your cold sore (the tannins apparently are what the cold sore virus doesn't like) and I've now got an infrared light wand which works wonders and only cost a few ££.

Whatever it is, I hope you find a solution soon

Txx