Can You Be Allergic to Makeup? We Asked the Experts.

You don’t have to be a hardcore beauty junkie to appreciate a good foundation that hides all traces of a sudden breakout or an MLBB lippie with serious staying power. Makeup is, arguably, a girl’s best friend—especially for those days when stress finally catches up with your complexion. But what happens when your go-to cosmetics are actually the ones causing your skin to sting, itch or turn red in all the wrong places?

Recognizing a makeup allergy can be tricky, particularly when you’re also exposed to other potential allergens, use certain active ingredients in your skin care products or have a pre-existing skin condition. To help you figure out if your cosmetic products are causing your newfound rash, we asked top dermatologists and allergists to share their expert tips on how to spot—and deal with—a makeup allergy.