Importance of Reading Ingredients List!!

Mar 21, 2014

Shelley W.

I had bought Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in late February to save my lips from the brutal cold weather. Just to use as a night-time treatment. I wasn't using it consistently as I was using my Nivea for night. So recently I decided to get back into using Bite. After 8 nights of wear on day 9 I woke up to these fine little bumps on my top lip, bottom lip slightly swollen and just this overwhelming feeling of tightness.

Left it alone and the next day my lips were feeling a lot better. Over the course of a few days my lips went back to normal and were fine. Dumb me decided to give it another go. So I used my lip scrub and applied the Bite Lip mask. Oh how I regret that decision as I woke up the next morning with both lips on hyper pigmentation mode...PURPLE...almost black. And the bumps were on full-effect.

Last year my husband had conducted an allergy test to locate an irritant from a product that I had used on my skin. Of the common and not so common irritants Lanolin was on that list of "Do Not Use" on my skin because my skin reacted to it. Silly me failed to read the ingredients of the Bite Beauty Lip Mask because guess what? Lanolin is number one on the list. Medical grade lanolin.

So while I've been able to reduce the bumps with applying massive doses of lip butter I have yet to see much fading of my pigmented contact cheilitis which my husband was able to diagnois via Skype he said it could take up to a year for it to resolve itself but did call in a bunch of scripts for me to try and speed it up.

So sorry for the long post...I just wanted to stress how important is to pay attention to how your skin reacts to products (just don't brush it off) and to read those itty bitty lists on the back of those boxes plus include heavy research when trying out a new product that hits the market (especially skincare).

I think my days of playing guinea pig are over now.

Mar 21, 2014

Erica K.

Awwww Shelley! I'm so sorry! Thank you for sharing.

Mar 21, 2014

Traci L.

Completely agree with Shelley know your ingredient deck.

Mar 21, 2014

Shelley W.

Thank you Erica. I figure in the meantime it gives me the perfect excuse to rock black lipstick from time to time. :)

Mar 21, 2014

Bree B.

How awful!
I've found something in Sensodyne toothpaste gives me (forget what the medical name is but basically) a small yeast infection in the corner of my mouth. I haven't figured out what ingredient it is.
Hope you heal fast, Shelley!

Mar 21, 2014

Traci L.

It's called thrush Bree and ohh no

Mar 21, 2014

Tina K.

Ohhh...Shelley! I'm so sorry! *hugs* I hope it doesn't take that long to fully recover, but thankfully hubby to the rescue!

Mar 21, 2014

Naomi S.

Damn Shelley!. you allegic lanolin?. lanolin is so bomb..
but I'm allergic to coconut n ppl love that stuff. I have to miss out. ;-)
I'm sorry Shelley. I hope you resolve the issue soon. I hate when stuff like that happens. :(

aww bree. sensodyne gives you thrush. this is so annoying!..

Mar 22, 2014

Shelley W.

@Bree...yikes!! I thought I had it bad. Thrush is no joke.
@Naomi...its a bummer...lanolin is the bomb.com I think if it sat lower on the ingredient list I probably wouldn't have reacted in such an insane way.

@Tina...thank you Tina. I'm going to be thinking positive thoughts...that it clears up sooner rather than later. In the meantime its all about TLC and no lipsticks for awhile as I was just ordered to not use any lipstick just yet.*putting away my purple black lipstick*lol

Mar 22, 2014

Mary T.

Omfg!! That is crazy! A yr to heal from the hyper pigmentation. Sry to hear that but at least your hubby can help you. I'd love to have a screening to see what irritates me. I get the same kind of allergic reactions (tiny itchy swollen bumps) from permanent markers, adhesives and glues from anything from band aids to shoes, fake tatoos, Hand soaps, carpet, sunscreens, a lot cheaper foundation type cosmetics and skincare, body wash etc. It makes me wonder if adhesives end up in cheap makeup, soap and sunscreen since I always have a similar reaction. Who knows since they don't include ingredients in adhesives I may never know. I haven't pinpointed it yet. I'm also allergic to cheap metal but it's totally different reaction. Blah blah blah, wish you the best! You'll still be gorgeous no matter what!!

Mar 22, 2014

Shelley W.

Mary...you are too sweet. Thank you. I can't do costume jewelry due to the nickle either. I wear only sterling silver because of it. And even then I have to watch where I buy that. :(

Mar 23, 2014

Tina K.

I noticed that after I developed fibromyalgia, I became much more sensitive and can't always pinpoint the source. I can no longer tolerate wearing a watch whatever metal or leather. I can only wear a necklace or earring for the day max. Only rings and some bracelets. Even fabrics can affect me and it's not just an intolerance...if I push it, I get a rash. I really hope it resolves quickly for you and with very few lasting negative effects. Our bodies are so intricate!