Solutions for Women Who Experience Makeup-Induced Migraines

Have you ever found that makeup such as blush, finishing powder, eye shadow or mascara causes migraine headaches? While there are no major long-term, conclusive studies on the issue, anecdotal evidence of migraineurs (those experiencing migraines frequently) indicates that makeup can cause migraine headaches.

I first noticed this when I started using mineral makeup. About an hour after applying the makeup, I would experience a small headache in the sinus region that would escalate into a full-blown migraine, complete with light sensitivity, disorientation and vomiting.

Like other women in this situation, I assumed that the migraines were stress-related. After all, they seemed to start up as soon as I got to work. On days off, I had no migraines which I attributed to stress-free days-but I also wore no makeup. I finally made the connection between the makeup and the migraines when I attended a wedding. I was stress-free, but wearing makeup-and I got a migraine.

In particular, the powders irritate my eyes. Even wearing mascara alone produces an instant migraine, though I have not determined the reason for it. Because there is little scientific information out there regarding makeup and migraines, I had to come up with some solutions on my own. Hopefully some of my solutions will benefit you as well.

Hypoallergenic Brands

While I still can't wear mascara of any type, my switch to hypoallergenic brands lessened my occurrence of migraines. Neutrogena's blush is particularly useful as it provides a natural look without producing too much excess powder.

Paraben-Free Makeup

Although it's more expensive, I started trying paraben-free products. Paraben is a preservative used in makeup to increase the product's shelf life. Some believe that paraben includes or interacts with estrogen levels, and varying estrogen levels can produce migraines (this may specifically apply to you if you get migraines at specific points during your menstrual cycle).

PABA-Free Makeup

Many makeup products now include sunscreen. This is helpful in protecting the skin from the sun's UV (ultra violet) rays, especially if you walk to work or find yourself next to a car window for long periods of time each day.

While sunscreen and products containing it can help reduce damage to your skin and the risk of cancer from sun exposure, they can contain PABA (Para-amenobenzoic acid). PABA is an acid that can help your body block UV rays and it is found in small amounts in food-however, many people are allergic to it.

When I use makeup or sunscreen containing PABA, I develop a migraine within a few hours, even if I do not go out into the sun.

Avoid Scents, Lotions and Perfumes

Most migraineurs can identify their own triggers-things that cause migraines. For many of us, certain scents can cause migraines. Perfume is a frequent culprit. In some cases, your makeup may not cause migraines, but the perfume you spray on after you finish your makeup application could cause the problem.

While I was always conscious of perfumes and body lotions due to my high level of sensitivity, it took a while before I realized that the mineral makeup I was using was also scented. Since the finishing powder smelled like baby powder, I never really thought of it as anything but clean-but the scent was probably contributing to my migraines.

Mainstream manufacturers (such as Tide) now produce scent-free products, though it can still prove challenging to find scent-free makeup as most people don't think of it as a 'scented' item.

Minerals

Many migraineurs are sensitive to minerals such as copper. While it's fairly obvious that mineral makeup contains minerals, few know that some mainstream makeup contains minerals also.

Liquid Makeup

Using makeup in powdered form usually causes problems for me. Even a light application of powdered makeup immediately irritates my eyes and causes a migraine. While browsing Neutrogena's hypoallergenic products, I discovered liquid foundation.

I now use the liquid foundation to cover up blemishes and problem areas on my skin (being fair-skinned, blemishes are rather obvious unless hidden).

When I explained these results to my Avon consultant, she provided me with a sample of liquid eye shadow. As long as the application of the liquid eye shadow is light, I no longer experience problems.

Additionally, you should consider other beauty regimens such as manicures, pedicures and eyebrow waxing, especially if you see others for those services. While I am not sensitive to nail polishes or removers, some of the lotions beauticians use following an eye brow wax cause skin reactions and migraines. Eventually, I determined that the waxing process itself causes migraine headaches, so I now get eyebrow threading services instead.

Unfortunately, I have yet to find a safe or legal alternative to mascara (eyelash and eyebrow dye products are illegal in the United States due to an FDA regulation).

The right makeup for migraineurs varies by woman, but you are more likely to find success by avoiding makeup that hardens, makeup in powder form, scented makeup and makeup that is not labeled hypoallergenic.