Cosmetic allergies are a reaction to the products that people use every day to cleanse, protect and beautify their bodies. Soaps, sunscreens, deodorants, lipsticks and perfumes are just some of the everyday products capable of causing an allergic reaction or asthma attack in millions of Americans.

Many experts are concerned about what they perceive as an increasing threat to public health. Over the past several decades, cosmetics have become a growing part of American life, both for men and women. The average adult uses at least seven different cosmetic products each day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Cosmetic allergies occur when the body reacts to a substance it mistakenly believes is harmful. Cosmetic allergies usually appear as contact dermatitis (a rash where the product was applied). However, in some cases allergies or asthma symptoms can be triggered by inhalation or ingestion.

Avoidance is the primary treatment for most cosmetic allergies. This is particularly troublesome for those who have fragrance allergies, where exposure is often an inevitable part of daily life that is beyond the sufferer’s control.  Some have equated the problem to the danger of secondhand smoke.

Though some manufacturers may advertise their products as "allergy free," there is no such thing as a non–allergenic cosmetic. All cosmetics have the potential to cause allergic reactions.