Severe Skin Irritation from Applying Pure Bisabolol

Asked by: alphal3et On: January 04, 2015 Product Type: Cosmetics

Question

I applied pure (100%) bisabolol directly to my skin and experienced symptoms like burning, stinging, redness, dryness, and rash. What caused this reaction?

Answer

Based on your description, the symptoms you experienced (burning, stinging, redness, dryness, rash) after applying pure bisabolol are most likely due to severe irritation from using the ingredient at a 100% concentration.

  • Bisabolol, like many cosmetic ingredients, should not be applied directly to the skin in its pure, undiluted form.
  • Ingredients need to be properly formulated and diluted to safe and effective concentrations. For bisabolol, the recommended usage rate is typically 0.5-1%.
  • Applying it at 100% far exceeds the safe limit and can cause significant skin reactions like the ones you experienced.
  • While it's possible to develop an allergy, the immediate burning and stinging you felt are more characteristic of acute irritation caused by the high concentration, rather than a typical allergic reaction.

It is crucial to always follow the recommended usage rates and instructions for cosmetic ingredients to avoid adverse effects and ensure safety.