Frequently Asked Questions

Calling an ingredient a chemical can sometimes lead to concern yet the two terms can be used interchangeably. Absolutely everything is made up of chemicals as they are the building blocks of all substances, both natural and man-made. We tend to use the term ingredient for the chemicals that make up all different types of products, from cosmetics to cakes. We could equally call the many substances that make up the human body its 'ingredients'.

This means that nothing can be 'ingredient-free' and everything is '100% ingredients', and equally nothing can be 'chemical-free' as everything is '100% chemical'.

Since there are no 'chemical-free' products, the important question is whether the products and all their ingredients you choose are safe. You can rest assured that all cosmetic products are developed with safety at the forefront and are subject to strict UK legislation which requires a robust safety assessment for each cosmetic product before they are available for purchase.

The image below from Sense About Science gives us some perspective on some ingredients. While they may sound scary, many actually occur naturally in everyday foods like pears and apples.

Source: Sense About Science - Making Sense of Chemical Stories

No! Since absolutely everything is made from chemicals, from cosmetics, to water, to the human body, there is no such thing as a 'chemical-free' product and you shouldn't be alarmed by the term 'chemical'. We could equally use the term 'ingredient'.

To help to address the confusion surrounding terms like 'chemical-free', CTPA works closely with cosmetic and personal care product manufacturers to explain why using terms like 'chemical-free' on product advertising or packaging is misleading.

Here, Dr Chris Flower, a Chartered Biologist and Toxicologist, explains how there is no such thing as 'chemical-free'.

Chris was speaking at the 'Junk Science, Fair?' during the Canadian cosmetic association's annual conference in 2013.

Since there are no 'chemical-free' products, the important question is whether the products you choose are safe. You can rest assured that all products are developed with safety at the forefront and are subject to strict UK legislation which requires a robust safety assessment for each cosmetic product before they are available to purchase.

Chemicals in the EU are regulated under the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation. Its aim is to ensure a high level of protection for human health in the workplace and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals. If the risk cannot be managed, authorities can ban or restrict the use of substances as appropriate.

Chemicals in Great Britain are regulated under a new version of REACH, called UK REACH. UK REACH operates in a very similar way to EU REACH.

In addition to REACH, chemicals that are used as cosmetic ingredients are also covered by strict safety requirements under the UK Cosmetic Regulation, which also covers the safety of finished cosmetic products. This law is based on the EU Cosmetic Products Regulation, which was the previous cosmetics law in the UK.

Safety standards for cosmetics and their ingredients in the UK remain as rigorously controlled under specific UK legislations as under the previous EU law.

Some products claim to be free from specific ingredients or types of ingredients. Whilst this might help those consumers who wish to avoid that ingredient, it does lead to two negative effects. Firstly there is the risk that people may look for such 'free from' claims instead of looking at the ingredient list. Because 'free from' labels are not required by law, they can never cover all possible options whereas the ingredient list is a legal requirement and if an ingredient is not listed, it won't be present regardless of any claim.

We must remember that the ingredient list is to enable people who have been diagnosed as allergic to particular ingredients to avoid products which contain them.

Of greater concern is that people may come to see 'free from' as implying there is a safety issue with the ingredient in question and that 'free from' products are somehow safer. This is wrong. All ingredients used in cosmetic products must be safe. If there were a safety issue with any ingredient, it would be banned or restricted for all cosmetics equally.

The law requires that the safety of all ingredients is assessed when developing a product, irrespective of their source, and their use in cosmetic products must be safe. In fact, whether ingredients are natural or man-made has no bearing whatsoever on how safe they are. Also, the name of the ingredient, whether long and complex or short and memorable, has no bearing on how safe it is either. What is important is how much of the ingredient is used and in what way it is used. That's why you should always follow the instructions given.

We should also remember that anything has the potential to be harmful if used in the wrong way, even water or Vitamin A for example; too much or too little can cause severe harm in both cases.

Natural and organic ingredients are not always better for the environment than man-made ones. In fact, the source of an ingredient, whether it is from nature or from a laboratory, has no bearing on whether it is safer or whether it is better or worse for the environment. What is important is the way in which the ingredient is produced and whether this is sustainable.

Although nature can provide inspiration as a source of new ingredients for cosmetic and personal care products, natural resources are not always sustainable. For example, the excessive harvesting of plants from the wild can lead to a reduction in their numbers in nature or to a loss of natural habitat and biodiversity.

Scientists can produce man-made replicas of many natural ingredients from oils to fragrances. These are the same in every way as their natural counterparts and behave the same when put on the skin. In fact, man-made ingredients can often be even purer than natural ones, since they are produced under very strictly controlled conditions.

Many people choose to support the principles of 'organic' as a lifestyle choice. The industry has developed products and ingredients to suit that choice. However, this does not mean that all other ingredients are automatically harmful to the environment.

The number of ingredients present in a product has no bearing whatsoever on its safety.

Cosmetic and personal care products are very complicated to make and they often have a long list of ingredients to get them just right. Each ingredient within that list will have a specific role to play, from making the product work effectively, to making it smell and feel nice, to making it last for a satisfactory amount of time.

Each one of these, individually and in combination, will have been rigorously assessed for safety before placing the product on the market. The safety assessor does not simply count the number of ingredients and use that as a guide to safety. Instead, they use their knowledge and skill that comes from many years of training to assess the safety of the final product.

If anyone says that a long list of ingredients is a cause for concern, think of an apple. This picture from Sense About Science lists the ingredients that are to be found in an apple. They may not be listed, but they are there nevertheless and no-one thinks apples are unsafe.

By law, all ingredients added to a cosmetic product must be labelled on the pack. These ingredients must be listed in descending order of weight at the time they are added to the cosmetic product. This list is extremely important for people who have been professionally diagnosed with an allergy, so that they can avoid the ingredients to which they are allergic.

A common concern is that ingredients in our everyday products, such as cosmetics and personal care products, might stay in our body and build up over time (possibly to reach unsafe levels). Scientists call this process "bioaccumulation". The potential for bioaccumulation is one of the factors that scientists look for when assessing whether an ingredient is safe to use or not, so we can be confident that the products we use are indeed safe.

Modern technology can now detect the tiniest traces of chemicals in the human body, even down to levels as low as parts per billion. To put this in perspective, one part per billion is equivalent to one second in thirty years!

Importantly, detecting the presence of an ingredient in the body is not evidence of bioaccumulation or of any harm being done by that ingredient. It simply shows that the person has come into contact with that ingredient at some point. In fact, the ingredient may well be on its way out of the body. The body is an amazing thing and eliminates effectively all the substances that it doesn't need; so, if the ingredient in question isn't required by the body, the chances are it won't be around for long.

The majority of people in the UK safely use cosmetic products without any problems. However a small number of people may have a reaction to certain ingredients.

If you have had a reaction:

• See your GP for further information. They may refer you to a specialist such as a dermatologist to determine the type of reaction and the possible cause.

• Contact the manufacturer to let them know you have had a problem with their product. They will be able to advise you further.

• If it is an allergic reaction, once the ingredient you are allergic to has been identified, you will be able to avoid it by checking the ingredient list on cosmetic product packaging. Ingredients are listed with the same names across Europe, and increasingly elsewhere in the world, so you should be able to identify your allergen even when travelling.

If you are colouring your hair, always perform an Allergy Alert Test every time you colour your hair.

No. In fact, babies are born with skin which is very nearly complete in its barrier function and this further matures within the first two to four weeks after birth, providing an effective barrier to external substances. Although baby skin may be physically more sensitive than adult skin, and thus requires gentle handling, from the point of view of being able to keep out unwanted substances, baby skin is an effective barrier.

In the case of cosmetics and personal care products, all products must be rigorously assessed for safety by appropriately qualified and authorised scientists before they may be placed on the market.

The safety assessment must take into account all the different situations and conditions in which the products are likely to be used, including their use by women during pregnancy. If any risks are identified, the law requires that product makers must put clear warnings on the product labels. In fact, since a woman may not know from the outset she is pregnant, manufacturers would not market any cosmetic that could be a risk during pregnancy.

Always ensure you read the label and follow its advice - then you can feel confident about enjoying your products safely.

Preservatives play an essential role in keeping the consumer safe against spoilage and contamination of their cosmetics products by micro-organisms during storage and also during continued use. In short, they make our products last.

There are very few ingredients that have the rare quality of being able to work across a variety of products in order to keep them safe and microbe-free.

It's not just ingredients that are considered when a product is being designed and manufactured.

A whole team of scientists develop, manufacture and market each cosmetic product. From concept to final product the sequence will include basic biological research into specialist ingredients, the development of the formulation, efficacy testing, scaling up to manufacturing from laboratory development, packaging, further efficacy testing, safety assurance and regulatory compliance. Each and every step involves many different scientific disciplines.

The key step is that of safety assessment. The safety assessor signs off the product safety in a personal capacity. That person must be appropriately qualified and experienced to do so. Without the sign-off of the safety assessor, the product cannot be placed on the market.

No cosmetic product may be tested on animals anywhere in the UK or EU.
The ban on animal testing of cosmetic products in the UK and EU came into effect in September 2004. It has been illegal to test cosmetic product on animals in the UK and Europe since that time. In the UK, testing of cosmetic products was banned in 1997 after a voluntary initiative by industry which led to all licences for testing cosmetic products to be withdrawn.

No ingredients used in cosmetics may be tested for that reason anywhere in the UK or EU.

The ban on animal testing of cosmetic ingredients in the UK and EU came into effect in March 2009. It has been illegal to test cosmetic ingredients for that purpose on animals in Europe since that time. However, many cosmetic ingredients are also used by other industries some of which still require animal testing. Therefore, most if not all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients tested on animals by someone at some time.

No cosmetic product tested on animals anywhere in the world to comply with UK or European cosmetics law may be sold in the UK or Europe.

However, some countries still require animal testing of cosmetics under their own laws. Such products may still be sold in the UK or Europe. Companies, individually and through Cosmetics Europe, along with the European Commission are working with those countries to explain why animal testing of such products in not necessary to ensure safety.

No cosmetic product containing ingredients tested on animals anywhere in the world to comply with UK or European cosmetic laws may be sold in the UK or Europe.

However, many cosmetic ingredients are used by many other industries and may be tested on animals to comply with the laws of those countries. Therefore, most if not all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients tested on animals by someone at some time.

The UK and European cosmetics industry has invested heavily in developing alternative methodologies to animal testing and promoting the adoption of these methods globally.

The safety of products placed on the market is the highest priority of the cosmetics industry. The cosmetics industry has therefore been at the forefront of developing alternatives methodologies to animal testing for more than 25 years. This sustained commitment, and the significant funds (over €50 million) that have been invested in relevant science and research programmes, means that the cosmetics industry is now a leader in the alternatives to animal testing field. Further information about the development of alternative methodologies may be found in Cosmetics Europe's Non Animal Approaches to Safety Assessment of Cosmetic Products.

Research into alternatives to animal testing is founded on a multidisciplinary partnership including industry, the regulatory community, validating agencies, Governments, NGOs and academia. Regulatory acceptance of alternative methods is a key priority in order to promote the use of these methods globally.

The UK cosmetics industry has worked tirelessly in collaboration with others to develop and validate alternative methods and promote their adoption globally. For example, scientific exchanges, workshops and demonstrations have been conducted with Authorities in China regarding how the system works in the UK and EU. Training workshops and similar events have been held to demonstrate the practical application of many in vitro alternative testing methods. We are aware that China has invested heavily in new laboratories and in training scientists and technicians in these techniques.

The UK's decision to leave the EU did not alter the strict safety laws that govern our cosmetic products, including the current ban on animal testing. The new UK cosmetics laws maintain the high standards of safety and the animal testing ban that were in place under the previous EU laws.

We know that some people may have concerns about the ban on animal testing, but we would like to stress that the UK cosmetics industry voluntarily abandoned animal testing seven years ahead of the EU-wide ban, so you can be assured this is not going to change.

All cosmetics sold in the UK could make the same claim now.

The common criteria for cosmetic claims, which are now part of UK cosmetics law, prohibit claims that are no more than claiming compliance with legal requirements. Since the ban on animal testing applies equally to all cosmetic products on the UK market, it would appear that claims relating to avoidance of animal testing would not be permitted. That law covers claims in the form of text, illustrations, logos or pictorial forms and similar depictions.

However, explicit statements relating to a company's philosophy regarding animal testing ought to remain acceptable under the common criteria.

No sunscreen can provide 100% protection. The term "sunblock" should not be used on sun protection products and this has been an industry recommendation since 2002. Sunscreens should never be used in order to stay in the sun for longer.

Read more about protection levels here.

A double application of an SPF 15 product does not give a level of protection equivalent to SPF 30. Reapplying sunscreen acts to maintain the expected level of protection and will not increase this level beyond the SPF on pack. Always follow the instructions for application and use.

Sunscreen should never be used to extend the amount of time that you spend in the sun. The SPF category and number provides an indication of the amount of protection sunscreen provides against UVB rays - the higher the SPF number, the greater the protection the sunscreen will give. 

An SPF of 15 will filter out approximately 93% of UVB rays and an SPF of 30 will filter out around 97%. While this might not seem like a big difference, it can have a significant improvement in sun protection for someone who burns easily. SPF15 is the recommended minimum by most health experts.

The relationship between the quantity of sunscreen applied and the SPF protection you will receive is not straightforward. In fact, applying half the recommended amount of sunscreen can reduce the level of protection by as much as two thirds*.

The recommended amount to be applied is based on 2mg/cm² body surface area, the amount used in the scientific test to determine the product is effective. This is quite hard to visualise, but it can be more easily thought of as about 35ml for an average person or a "golf ball" size amount per body; or six to eight teaspoons.

*British Association of Dermatologists Sunscreen Factsheet

It is possible to get a tan whilst wearing a high factor SPF. Even though the tan may take longer to develop, your risk of skin damage is lower. Trying to tan quickly by using a low factor SPF will increase the risk of damaging the skin and may also result in sunburn.

Most health experts consider the development of a tan to be an indication that the skin has been damaged and is trying to protect itself against further damage. While some people may want their skin to have some degree of a tan, it is essential that they are made aware of the risks of sun exposure and are discouraged from developing a deeply coloured tan or getting burned. In order to achieve a tanned looking skin, you could consider using self-tanning products, but remember in most cases they will not offer any sun protection unless labelled with an SPF /UVA logo.

There is a wide range of sunscreen products available to accommodate various lifestyles and budgets. Just because a product is cheaper does not mean that it will work less effectively than a more expensive product claiming the same level of protection. The laws that cover the manufacture of cosmetic products require that all claims made, including sun protection claims, must be substantiated. However, it is important that you buy your sunscreens from a reputable retail outlet.

Scientific studies¹ have found that wearing sunscreen does not prevent vitamin D production. 

It is still possible to get all the vitamin D the body needs from incidental sun exposure, even if you're wearing sunscreen. Most people have sufficient exposure to the sun in their day-to-day lives to produce adequate amounts of this vitamin. It is not normally necessary to seek extra unprotected sun exposure. 

The NHS advises that most people can make enough vitamin D by spending short periods of time outside during the summer months, with some skin exposed to the sun, and not allowing the skin to burn. The NHS does acknowledge that it is difficult to know exactly how much time is needed in the sun.  We also believe it is difficult for each person to judge what a safe short period of time in the sun is for them. For example, before the skin burns visibly, invisible changes can be taking place such as DNA damage. Therefore, CTPA recommends to always wear sunscreen when in the sun during the summer months. 

¹Br J Dermatol. 2019 Nov;181(5):907-915. doi: 10.1111/bjd.17980. Epub 2019 Jul 9. 

The sun's UV rays can penetrate light cloud and therefore it is still possible to be sunburned in the summer when the sky is cloudy and particularly the closer you are to the equator. It is therefore always best to be safe and apply sunscreens, even on cloudy summer days.

‘Microplastic’ refers to tiny pieces of plastic of all kinds present in the marine environment.  This microplastic originates from a variety of sources, mainly from the breakdown of larger plastics, and these microplastics are known as ‘secondary microplastics’.  ‘Primary microplastics’ are those which are directly released to the environment as small particles.

Microplastics do not break down easily in the environment so they are described as ‘environmentally persistent’.  These substances are likely to remain in the environment for a long time.

Although evidence does not show that microplastics in the environment are causing harm, due to their persistent nature, environmental concentrations may increase in the future.  This is the basis of the concern.

Yes.  As an environmentally responsible industry, in 2015 the UK and European cosmetics industry volunteered to phase-out exfoliating plastic microbeads in wash-off personal care products, because ingredients in wash-off products go directly down the drain. 

The vast majority of plastic particles in wash-off products were used as exfoliants to help clean the skin by exfoliation and to remove stains and plaque from teeth. Exfoliation removes dirt and helps to unclog pores. Dead skin cells are loosened and removed to leave a surface layer composed of fresh, younger cells. This leaves the skin feeling soft, smooth and looking brighter.

Companies that previously used plastic microbeads have replaced these with alternatives, including beeswax, rice bran wax, jojoba waxes, starches derived from corn, tapioca and carnauba, seaweed, silica and clay.

Since the voluntary phase-out by industry, the UK Government has also banned plastic microbeads in wash-off personal care products in 2019, four years after the industry began its voluntary removal. 

The UK ban includes plastic glitter as well as plastic exfoliating particles.  The UK cosmetics industry supports this ban because it is science-based and proportionate.

Over recent years, solid, man-made polymers which do not break down in the environment have also been considered microplastics by regulatory authorities and other organisations because these ingredients are likely to remain in the environment for a long time.  However, there are solid, man-made polymers which do break down in the environment. 

Solid polymers are safe ingredients which play an essential role in many cosmetic and personal care products.  For example, solid, man-made polymers bind together the ingredients in toothpaste to make it easy to use to protect our oral health.  Solid polymers boost the effectiveness of certain UV filters in suncare, allowing a non-greasy, spreadable product which covers skin evenly.  They also enable make-up to have an even, long-wearing finish.  Polymer-based coatings ensure that makeup is waterproof, long lasting and does not smudge.

A survey of the European cosmetics industry conducted in 2018 found that no alternative ingredients were available in 85% of cases.  Therefore, removing all microplastics from cosmetics would mean we are likely to notice a big difference in the way our cosmetics look, feel and work, or even that some are no longer available.  We hope that this figure is decreasing as innovation progresses, but the process of developing new ingredients and products which are just as safe and effective as before takes time.

In the EU, a law is being developed which will ban solid, man-made polymers which do not break down in the environment from being used in cosmetics and personal care products.  However, these safe ingredients currently play an essential role in many cosmetic and personal care products and alternative ingredients which do the same job are not yet available. 

As companies across Europe begin to phase-out these ingredients in preparation for the new law, we are likely to notice a difference in the way our cosmetics look, feel and work, or even that some are no longer available.  This will also be the case in the UK because most companies in the UK also sell in Europe so they will need to ensure their products can be sold in both regions.

In the UK, the cosmetics industry is working with the Government and will be contributing to the Government’s Evidence Project on microplastics to promote a science-based, proportionate approach which meets environmental objectives whilst ensuring that our products still support our health and wellbeing.

All cosmetic products and their ingredients must be safe to use. In the case of microplastics used within cosmetics, we can be confident that these are subject to the same extremely strict UK and EU safety laws as for all cosmetic ingredients. The use of these substances in cosmetics will have been carefully reviewed and approved by an experienced and qualified safety assessor who will have confirmed that they do not pose any risk to human health before they are made available as required by the strict laws. 

The cosmetics industry is an innovative, science-based industry.  Companies are working hard to increase the range of ingredients which break down easily in the environment whilst ensuring that our everyday products work as they should and remain safe.

To prove that substances break down in the environment, companies use internationally standardised test methods which have been developed as a collaborative effort by expert environmental scientists from industry, regulatory authorities and universities.  Companies won’t just do one test, but will follow a defined and stringent process to make sure that the tests are relevant to real-life conditions. 

The cosmetics industry works together at a global level, and with other partners, to further scientific research into environmental science.  Outputs are published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, shared in technical reports and presented at academic conferences, with the ultimate aim of being shared widely as best practice across many companies and industries.

Every cosmetic and personal care product sold in the UK will display a full ingredients list.  Microplastics cannot be identified by name because they are defined by whether they are solid, whether they break down in the environment, and other factors which are not described by the ingredient’s name.  For example, an ingredient with the same name could be solid in one product but liquid in another.  If you would like information on any of the ingredients in your product, please contact the manufacturer.  Contact details will be available on the pack.

The cosmetics industry and Governments around the world have already taken extensive action to ban plastic microbeads in cosmetic products.  For example, in 2015, the cosmetics industry across Europe chose to voluntarily remove plastic microbeads from rinse-off products because these substances went directly down the drain, and alternative ingredients are available.

A survey conducted by Kantar TNS on behalf of the European cosmetics industry in 2018 interviewed 8,000 consumers in 8 European Union Member States (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden) to gain insights into consumer removal and disposal habits of leave-on cosmetics products. The survey found that 75% of make-up users removed their make-up using wipes or cotton pads which were disposed of in the bin.  Therefore, any make-up products containing plastic microbeads are very unlikely to end up in the aquatic environment.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has undertaken the most extensive investigation of microplastics by a regulatory authority anywhere in the world.  ECHA has estimated that microplastic emissions from cosmetics account for 0.03% of the total amount of plastic waste.  This is equivalent to 3 in 10000, or 3 drops in a pint of water.

A polymer is a substance made up of a repeating sequence of one or more types of units, or monomers, which are bonded together to form a chainlike structure.

Polymers made up of one type of monomer unit are called homopolymers e.g. A-A-A-... and polymers made up of more than one type of monomer unit are called co-polymers e.g. A-B-A-B-....

Polymers can have different properties depending upon the type of monomer unit, the number of monomers in the polymer, how the monomers fit together and whether the monomers have any additional chemical groups. They can be elastic, durable, flexible, hard, soft, solid or liquid.

There is a vast number and variety of polymers, including natural, man-made, plastic and non-plastic.  DNA, oyster shells and starch are examples of natural, solid polymers. 

Baby skin is more delicate than that of adults and can be damaged by coarse fabrics or rough towels, for example. This is partly because baby skin is slightly thinner than adult skin (about 20 to 30%). It is also because skin responds to the environment and babies are making the transition from life in the womb to life in the outside world, and therefore experiencing it for the first time. Baby skin also has a higher surface pH (a scientific measure of acid or alkaline).

Personal care products made for babies and infants are formulated to take these factors into account; for example, they use milder cleansers, low levels of fragrance and the pH is carefully controlled to ensure compatibility with the skin. Also, there is an enhanced safety assessment legally required for all cosmetic products intended for use on children under three years of age.

Generally, bathing a baby in water only is the recommendation for the first two to four weeks of life but after this point, it is safe to use personal care products which are intended to be used on babies and infants. NHS Choices has advice on washing and bathing your baby.

No. In fact, babies are born with skin which is very nearly complete in its barrier function and this further matures within the first two to four weeks after birth, providing an effective barrier to external substances. Although baby skin may be physically more sensitive than adult skin, and thus requires gentle handling, from the point of view of being able to keep out unwanted substances, baby skin is an effective barrier.

Yes. While it is true that children's skin can be more sensitive in its early years, it is safe to use products specially designed for children. That's because these products are formulated for children. For example, they may use milder cleansers, low levels of fragrance and have a carefully controled pH to ensure compatibility with younger skin.

That is not necessary, no. It is a common misconception that 'natural' and 'organic' products are safer or less irritating than other products, but this is not the case. All ingredients, whether 'natural', 'organic' or 'man-made', must be safe as they are used in cosmetic products. Often it's just a case of finding products that suit each individual and there are lots of ranges designed for all types of skin, including sensitive skin.

The following image from Sense About Science gives us some perspective on ingredients – while they may sound scary many actually occur naturally in everyday foods like pears and apples.

Source: Sense About Science - Making Sense of Chemical Stories

If your child is under three years old, we would advise that you only use products specifically created for babies and children under three. Such products will be clearly labelled for this age range and will be specially formulated, for example they use milder cleansers, low levels of fragrance and have a carefully controlled pH to ensure compatibility with babies' skin.

Manufacturers will have ranges of products to suit various ages, skin types, lifestyles and budgets. It is good to use products that match the age of your child(ren). However once a child is over three then it is also fine to use family products. Of course with any cosmetic product, irrespective of the target age, it is always important to follow the instructions for use and to keep them out of reach of children.

The majority of people use cosmetic products without any problems. However a small number of people may have a reaction to certain ingredients. Not every reaction is an allergic reaction but all are upsetting to the person concerned.

If your child has had a reaction:

• See your GP for further information. They may refer you to an allergy specialist such as a dermatologist to determine the cause.

• Contact the manufacturer to let them know your child has had a problem with their product. They will be able to advise you further.

Once the ingredient your child is allergic to has been identified, you will be able to avoid it by checking the ingredient list on product packaging. Ingredients are listed with the same names across Europe and most of the world, so you should be able to identify your allergen even when travelling.

Read more in our factsheet.

There are some tell-tale signs that a child might be having an allergic reaction. The diagram below from Allergy UK explains what to look out for when spotting allergic reactions:

Source: Allergy UK - Spotting symptoms in a child

Such reactions may be allergic or not, but if the signs are more than minor or do not go away quickly, it is best to seek medical attention or see a pharmacist for advice.