How Is Nickel Listed In Cosmetics?

What do “nickel tested” and “nickel free” mean? – There is no regulation requiring manufacturers to test or declare whether their products contain nickel residues. As a result, very few cosmetics companies carry out specific tests to ensure that their products are free of contamination and therefore offer consumers a greater sense of security. The cosmetics companies that carry out these tests label their products with the words ” nickel tested ” and the result of the test, e.g.< <0.00001%. This indication on the product packaging shows that the cosmetics have been tested and the results obtained are below the detectable limits. This does not completely rule out the possibility of an allergic reaction, but it does indicate that the risk is considerably low. Other products, on the other hand, are labelled " nickel free " or "zero nickel": these claims are illegal. This is because there is a limit of uncertainty in the detection method which makes it impossible to claim that nickel molecules are totally absent from any cosmetic. The phrase "nickel free" is therefore misleading and the law prohibits its use on labels. All San.Eco.Vit products are nickel tested with the goal, always achieved, of having less than 1 PPM of this metal

How can you tell if there is nickel in makeup?

Nickel and Cosmetic Products – Let us be clear – nickel is not allowed to be in cosmetic products, but there is always a trace (less than 1%) and some cross-contamination can occur. And why do we need nickel in cosmetic products? Because it provides glitter and shine.

Now, if you think about cosmetic products – that means almost ALL of the products contain nickel. For cosmetics, nickel contamination mainly occurs through iron oxides. Iron oxides are not listed as an ingredient in your cosmetic (and tanning) products. They show up in lettering: CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499.

Basically I have learned that “774” usually means this is not a product I can use. Photo by Liubov Ilchuk on Unsplash

Is nickel allowed in cosmetics?

June 20, 2022 Nickel compounds are not permitted in cosmetics, which is reassuring if you are one of the one in eight women who have a nickel allergy. However, trace nickel contamination is accepted to some extent by regulators, as low levels are inevitable in some cosmetic ingredients — in particular, mineral color pigments used in make-up including eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick and more.

Nothing can be guaranteed 100% ‘free’ of nickel. One of the main sources of nickel contamination is iron oxides, used in cosmetics to impart yellow, brown, red and even black color, and widely found in foundations, eyeliners, lip products and more. These iron oxides may be listed in ingredients by their Color International codes — CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499.

Unfortunately, there are relatively few make-up options available, especially if you are very sensitive, or have been advised to avoid iron oxides and other minerals, and are looking for products which use alternative pigments. The subject of cosmetics is covered in more detail in my new book The Metal Allergy Guide (pictured above right), but in brief, there are three categories of products which are or may be worth exploring, although cautious patch testing is always recommended, as there can never be any guarantees. Type 1. Products with plant-based pigments American brand 100% Pure Cosmetics have a range called Fruit Pigmented® Makeup, available worldwide, which is true to its name and goes further, using red wine, flowers, carrot, turmeric, berries, pomegranate and countless other botanicals to impart color.

Ingredients are fully disclosed and explained, so check individual products and choices of color, but the lipsticks, lip glosses, and tints look free of all minerals including iron oxides, and the eyeshadows look to be free of all except mica. Some foundations, eye liners and the mascaras contain (or may contain) iron oxides and other minerals, so you may wish to check or avoid those, although when queried, 100% Pure told me “We test our ingredients for purity to ensure there are no heavy metals present”.

Nickel is considered a heavy metal, which is reassuring, although they were unable to give specifics regarding testing levels. (NB. Use MIFree15 code for 15% off with 100% Pure Cosmetics.) Dr Lipp is a popular UK brand. You might like to try their mineral-free lanolin superfood lip tints, which come in three coloured varieties — red radish, elderberry and sweet potato — and are coloured with plant anthocyanins only. These are unlikely to be described as ‘nickel free’, but as ‘nickel tested’ (especially), ‘low nickel’ or ‘nickel aware’, and usually means that brands have tested their products to 1ppm maximum or taken measures to ensure that level is not surpassed.

NATorigin is a high-tolerance, very allergy conscious French cosmetic brand, distributed in the UK by Butterflies Healthcare, with a selection of makeup, including mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow, lipstick and foundation. They say: “The entire range can be considered nickel free. Some products (mascaras, liners) do contain iron oxides which can contain nickel as a contaminant.

We use as pure a form of iron oxide as possible (nickel content less than 1ppm) and also the minimum amount necessary. Therefore, if anyone has a nickel allergy, they are unlikely to have a reaction due to this.” Their packaging is also nickel free. Some of their range is available through Amazon in the US, In the US, it is available via Nigel Beauty, Italian brands, like other mainland European nations, boast strong nickel allergy awareness too, with many claiming to be ‘nickel tested’ (or ‘nichel’ as it’s spelled in Italian). For instance, many PuroBIO mineral makeup products — these are clearly and individually shown on their website with a green ‘nickel tested’ logo — and include blush, concealers, primers as well as a range of eye and lip products.

To purchase in America, try Amazon US ; In the UK, try browsing through Ecco Verde — an online retailer which has a ‘nickel tested’ filter, incidentally, and many products available — or else Amazon UK, Particularly impressive are Bionike, who go far lower than the usual ‘nickel tested’ threshold and state that their products contain ten times less nickel — 0.1ppm, as they explain here,

If you want an additional and independent ‘guarantee’ for your nickel-tested or low-nickel cosmetics, you might like to look at certified products. Allergy Certified is a highly respected certification programme, based in Denmark, with a number of strict criteria, among which is a restriction on nickel content in products to no more than 1ppm of releasable nickel is allowed. You can search the site for certified products. For instance, if you conduct a search on ‘ mascara ‘, you’ll see a number of options, including several by the Danish brand Nilens Jord, These all contain iron oxide, but the brand has clearly sourced purified low-nickel iron oxide and/or used the compound in a careful and low enough level formulation so as to meet the stringent requirements of 1ppm.

A large selection of Nilens Jord lipsticks and other products are also certified. You can buy Nilens Jord products from Hogies in the UK, Another Scandinavian brand with multiple Allergy Certified make-up products is Sandstone, Type 3. Products with other non-mineral pigments Some brands avoid iron oxides altogether and instead of botanical extracts use by-product, artificially produced or even animal-sourced colouring agents, which tend to be more stable and reliable, providing deeper, longer lasting colors than natural extracts.

These colors can potentially be contaminated with minerals — through shared production lines or storage facilities, for example — but purity requirement criteria are applied to some, and many products using them seem tolerated by women with nickel allergies, and are sought after by those avoiding iron oxide minerals for other reasons. The Body Shop has a few which appear to shun iron oxides but use artificial azo colors instead. Azo dyes are chemically organic (carbon-based) rather than inorganic (carbon-free) molecules, which many tolerate. The Body Shop’s Lip and Cheek Stain (click here for US ; click here for UK ) contains two azo colors Acid Red 33 (CI 17200) and Acid Yellow 22 (CI 19140) in the Pink Hibiscus and Red Pomegranate colors, and a larger variety of azo and other organic dyes in the Deep Berry version, which also contains titanium dioxide, and may therefore be slightly less safe for those with nickel allergy.

Their Born Lippy in Strawberry (click here for US ; click here for UK ) contains a red azo color (CI 15850) but is more of a lip balm than color, and may impart very little. There is a Raspberry version, which contains titanium dioxide. The Benefit Benetint Rose-Tinted Cheek & Lip Stain looks to be coloured only with carmine (CI 75470) which is a natural but non-vegetarian red dye derived from beetles.

Click here for US ; click here for UK,e.l.f. cosmetics also have a lip stain — Radiant Gel Lip Stain — which as you’ll see is available in three colors, but seemingly in the US only. These use azo lake colors. They also have a number of eye makeup options which don’t include iron oxide black (CI 77499) and instead use carbon black (CI 77266) only — which is quite uncommon.

CI 77266 is derived from some by-product of carbon-based combustion processes. The data on metal purity levels for carbon black are lacking, and although some health concerns have been raised about it, anecdotally it seems some women can tolerate it quite well, and given the products are often easily affordable, you may like to cautiously experiment.

So, the 3-in-1 Mascara fits the bill (click here for US ; click here for UK ). So does the Volumizing and Defining Mascara (click here for US ; click here for UK ). The Lash Extending Mascara has no iron oxides, but does have mica and titanium dioxide (click here for US ; click here for UK ).

There is a large selection on the e.l.f. site; you may find others, though one or two appear available in the US only. There are also eyeliners. The H2O Proof Eyeliner Pen looks iron oxide free (click here for US ; click here for UK ). As does the Precision Liquid Eyeliner (click here for US ; click here for UK ).

You may be able to find black eye make-up from other brands which avoids using iron oxide black. For example, this Essence Eye Liner Pen (US only) or By Terry ‘s Ligne Blackstar (for US, click here ; for UK, click here ) — but, as so often, there are no guarantees with regard to contaminant nickel content.

1. A few final words Patch test, patch test, patch test — on your inside elbow pit, for example, applying a small amount, covering it with a band aid, and checking it 24 hours later.
2. Remember that some cosmetics may contain a complex blend of the coloring agents discussed above — for examples, mixes of various iron oxides and assorted azo dyes, for example, are common, as is a blend of iron oxide black and carbon black.

Check all ingredients carefully, not merely the ones you’re looking for. Looking for hair dye or color? My article on Nickel Tested Hair Dye might help. If you’re uncertain about anything here, ask below, and I’ll do my best to answer or source one for you.

What ingredients contain nickel?

Following points must be taken into consideration while drafting a low nickel diet –

1. Avoid all foods that are routinely high in nickel content such as cocoa, chocolate, soya beans, oatmeal, nuts, almonds and fresh and dried legumes.
2. Avoid all drinks and vitamin supplements with nickel and canned food. Nickel dissociates from the alloy of the can and thus increases the total nickel content of the canned food.
3. Animal tissues generally contain less nickel in comparison to plant tissues. Meat, poultry and eggs are suitable for low nickel diet. Except for a few varieties of fishes that show high concentration of nickel such as tuna, herring, shellfish, salmon and mackerel, other fishes can be used for low nickel diet.
4. Nickel content of milk is low; therefore, milk and its products such as butter, cheese, curd and cottage cheese (paneer) can be consumed.
5. Nickel content of cereals is low. Foods prepared from rice (polished), refined wheat or corn (corn flakes, macaroni, etc.,) are allowed.
6. Vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage and cucumber can be used. However, vegetables such as onion and garlic, which are very popular in our country, should be used in moderation.
7. Green leafy vegetables are an inseparable part of Indian food; if desired, they may be taken sparingly due to the possibility of high concentration of nickel. Young leaves are preferred than older leaves as they contain relatively lower concentration of nickel. Mushroom can be used.
8. Among the fruits, one may partake bananas (in moderation), apples (up to 3-4 times a week) and citrus fruits (up to 3-4 times a week).
9. Tea and coffee are very popular in India; in weaker concentration, these beverages can be taken in moderation (up to 2 cups a day).
10. While cooking, nickel-plated utensils should not be used and should be replaced. Acidic food should not be cooked in stainless steel utensils as the acids may lead to the dissociation nickel from the utensils and it may increase the nickel content of the food. The initial water flow from the tap in the morning should not be drunk or used for cooking as nickel may be released from the tap during night.

However, it should be understood that the dermatitis will not clear completely during the diet period; however, it is likely to lead to fewer and milder flare-ups. While planning a low nickel diet, the dietary habits of the patients should be considered to encourage the acceptability of the diet.

Do eyeshadows contain nickel?

Eyes – Eye Shadow – Again, this one is super tricky to navigate because ALL eyeshadows contain nickel. I bought the Fruit Pigment Pretty Naked Palette and as with all things 100 Percent Pure, it did not disappoint. Yes, it is pricey but it will last a really long time and the colors are lovely muted naturals. The eyeshadow also lasts pretty well and long once applied.

How do you identify nickel plating?

Where the world gathers for plating, anodizing, & finishing Q&As since 1989 – Current question and answers: March 8, 2022 Acronyms: DMG = dimethylglyoxime Q. @Jon Barrows : Testing for tin is quick, simple and easy using DMG which is not available in Australia.

• What is an alternative to DMG that can be done using chemicals that are locally available. Alex T.
• Hampton Park, Australia March 9, 2022 A.
• Do a search for ‘nickel spot test’ or ‘nickel allergy spot test’ and you will find some ready made dropper kits that are less than $10 and available in Australia.

So many people have allergies to nickel In their jewelry that there are many sellers. They may have some at a local jewelry store or cosmetic store also. They are all based on DMG. Years ago, I used to have to make my own solution and put it in a dropper bottle, but now it is much easier to buy the kit than it is to buy the raw chemical. Jon Barrows, MSF, EHSSC GOAD Company Independence, Missouri April 12, 2022 A. You can try sodium sulfide based tin spot test – you need pure hydrochloric acid and 10 grams sodium sulfide/100 mll water solution. Drop acid on object, wait 10-20 seconds and with filter paper remove that droplet.Drop sulfide solution on it.

Positive result yellowish brown colored spot. Hope it helps and good luck! Goran Budija – Cerovski vrh Closely related historical posts, oldest first, “Atomic and Nuclear Analytical Methods: XRF, Mössbauer, XPS, NAA and Ion-Beam Spectroscopic Techniques” by Hem Raj Verma from Abe Books or Affil. Link Your purchases make finishing.com possible January 14, 2011 Q.

I am a project engineer working on a proposal to switch electronic buss bar coating from tin plating to nickel plating in an attempt to improve thermal properties of the buss bar. Occasionally the folks requesting the change don’t provide all details so unfortunately I don’t have the plating specifications for either process.

What I do know is that we are plating copper with tin and the result is a bright shiny surface. The same look will be sought in the nickel plating; I’ve been told that a visual comparison will be very subjective and may not be absolute. Is there a non-destructive method or tool (visual, electronic, magnetic, chemical, taste test) to immediately determine if the buss bars are plated in tin or nickel? The tin and nickel plated buss bars are both shiny reflective surfaces.

Victor Serrano Project Engineer – Buffalo Grove, Illinois, USA January 21, 2011 Acronyms: EDX = energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy SEM = scanning electron microscope A. The only non destructive methods I can personally think of require either EDX or a very high powered microscope.

• If you do happen to have a very high powered scope knocking around (able to see on the micron scale).
• I assume you don’t have EDX or you would have used it.
• If you do have something like an SEM microscope around you can look for the formation of tin nodules/whiskers on the tin.
• I seem to vaguely remember a chemical test you can use as well involving lye water, which will react with tin.

Mark McKinnon – Rugby, United Kingdom January 24, 2011 A. Victor, If you have access to X-Ray Diffraction (often called XRD) this will readily identify tin from nickel. These can be tabletop machines or hand-held portable units. If you have access to EDX for SEM that will do the job as well. Jon Barrows, MSF, EHSSC GOAD Company Independence, Missouri February 8, 2012 Acronyms: MSDS = material safety data sheet, largely replaced these days by SDS = safety data sheet A. I am not an engineer, but I have heard that a cotton swab soaked with Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner will turn a color (pink?) if contacted with nickel.

• According to the MSDS, available on-line, it contains N-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides.
• Martin Richardson – Westerville, Ohio, USA – Ed.
• Note: “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows” – Bob Dylan “Rapid Spot Testing of Metals & Alloys” by Andrew Holmes from Abe Books or Affil.

Link Your purchases make finishing.com possible January 22, 2021 Q. Spot check for testing for Sn on Al substrate? Acronyms: XRF = x-ray fluorescence Hi Just wondering if there would be any simple lab check to test for the presence of tin on aluminium substrate, We have use of an handheld XRF gun which is perfect, but after our tinned aluminium bus bar is housed we are unable to use this to do specific spot checks, is there a test which can be done that reacts with the tin to give i.e., a precipitate or colour change to show presence? This would need to be a non destructive test if possible.

• Thanks in advance for any response.
• Ryan McGrory – Derry City, Ireland January 2021 A. Hi Ryan.
• Since you are very happy with XRF, but apparently can’t get the gun into proper position is an assembled unit, I wonder if there is some sort of flexible extended probe either for XRF or beta backscatter which would allow you to reach the area.

Another possibility would be to check whether you can reliably determine that tin is present with a hall-effect thickness tester? I hope to be corrected if wrong, but it sounds to me like a non-destructive chemical reaction test is an oxymoron. Luck & Regards, Ted Mooney, P.E. RET Striving to live Aloha finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey January 26, 2021 A. Hi Ryan. As Ted says, even a spot test is destructive. Probably you can try to use a small swab with a drop of Hydrochloric acid to pick up some Tin ions and after that put a drop of diluted Cacotheline (CAS Number:561-20-6, may be toxic) on the swab. Disclaimer: It’s not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author’s employer.

Is nickel banned in EU?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Directive 94/27/EC

European Union directive
Text with EEA relevance
Title	Directive amending for the 12th time Directive 76/769/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations
Made by	European Parliament and Council
Made under	Art.100a (EC)
Journal reference	L188, 22 July 1994, pp.1–2
History
Date made	30 June 1994
Came into force	30 June 1994
Implementation date	30 December 1994
Preparative texts
Commission proposal	COM (1993) 134 final, C116, 27 April 1993, p.18
EESC opinion	C304, 10.11.1993, p.2
EP opinion	2 December 1993, C342, 20 December 1993, p.15
Other legislation
Amends	Dir.76/769/EEC
Amended by	Dir.2004/96/EC
Replaced by	§ 27, Ann. XVII, Reg. (EC) No 1907/2006
Repealed

The Nickel Directive was a European Union directive regulating the use of nickel in jewellery and other products that come into contact with the skin. Since 1 June 2009, it has been subsumed into the REACH Regulation, specifically item 27 of Annex XVII to that regulation.

• Nevertheless, the term Nickel Directive is still used to refer to the restrictions on nickel usage and the prescribed test method for quantifying nickel release from products EN 1811,
• Allergy to nickel is a common cause of contact dermatitis, with roughly 10% of the population in Western Europe and North America being sensitive to nickel.

Initial sensitisation frequently occurs from jewellery such as ear studs and other body piercings, and nickel allergy is more prevalent among women than men. Once sensitised, an individual can develop contact dermatitis from shorter term contact with nickel-containing products: this is a particular problem given the use of nickel in coinage, such as the European one- and two-euro coins and the Canadian five-cent piece,

This led to moves by two European countries to prevent the initial sensitisation of jewellery wearers by limiting the use of nickel in piercing studs and other products which are in prolonged contact with the skin, and then to the European Union Nickel Directive in 1994. The Nickel Directive imposes limits on the amount of nickel that may be released from jewellery and other products intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin.

These limits, known as migration limits, are:

• 0.2 µg/cm 2 /week for post assemblies which are inserted into pierced ears and other pierced parts of the human body;
• 0.5 µg/cm 2 /week for other products intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin.

Nickel release is measured by a test method known as EN 1811, which involves placing the object in an artificial sweat solution for one week, then measuring nickel by atomic absorption spectroscopy or any other appropriate technique (e.g. ICP-MS ). Other, equivalent test methods may also be accepted. Wear and corrosion can be simulated by a method known as EN 12472.

What is the permissible limit of nickel in cosmetics?

4.3 Nickel – Nickel is one of the metal impurities which is inevitably found in several natural ingredients used in cosmetic products. Most of the salts containing nickel are green in color, hence also its potential use as a colorant. However, nickel is considered to be a contact allergen that may provoke dermal sensitization, allergies, and dermatitis by direct and often prolonged exposure. Persons have been diagnosed with Ni allergy due to its presence in topical cosmetic products and jewelry, Nickel may also affect the respiratory system which may result in nasal and lung cancer, Despite of the potential use of cosmetics to maintain the skin in a rejuvenating state, Ni in such products may lead to oxidative stress and hence promote skin aging, This may be due to the overexpression of collagenases in the skin leading to the weakening of the skin matrix and a subsequent loss in elasticity, The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified metallic Ni as a potential carcinogen to humans (Group 2B) and its compounds as carcinogenic (Group 1), Nickel may be found occurring naturally in soil and volcanic dust. This may be acquired from industrial dust and fumes. Due to the potential skin sensitization, limits for Ni presence in products have been proposed. Limits of 5 ppm and 1 ppm were suggested for certain household products and detergents, respectively. Likewise, in cosmetics, a Ni limit was also proposed particularly aimed for sensitized persons. Most “nickel-free” products on the market, contain less than 1 ppm of Ni, The permissible level is 0.20 ppm according to for oral consumption. Nickel and a number of its salts are prohibited in any cosmetic product within the EU, These include nickel monoxide, dinickel trioxide, nickel dioxide, trinickel disulphide, tetracarbonynickel, nickel sulphide, nickel dihydroxide, nickel carbonate and nickel sulphate. Due to its possible implications in allergenic reactions, the content of Ni in a number of cosmetic products was reported by a number of research groups ( Tables 1 – 3 ). The risks associated with Ni intoxication is more possible with cosmetics that are potentially ingested. Lipsticks and lip products are amongst these candidates. Most lipstick products investigated by research groups rarely contained less than 0.20 ppm of Ni for oral consumption. Due to the short-term duration of lipstick on the lips, these products are applied frequently by consumers. This may pose a further exacerbation if ingested. The maximum levels in most studies range from 1.61 to 22.8 ppm of Ni in lipsticks, However, in one study it was reported that the mean Ni content was 0.10 ± 0.14 ppm, It was demonstrated that the price has no impact on Ni content of lipsticks (high-priced 8.24 ± 3.29 ppm and low-priced 5.15 ± 4.19 ppm), Oral consumption may be due to the accidental swallowing of toothpaste. Studies have shown the range of Ni content in most toothpaste is between 0.02 and 2.54 ppm but another study reported maximum levels of 18.535 ppm, Dermal sensitization has been associated with eye cosmetic products. In this situation the 1 ppm threshold is applicable. Several studies have reported levels of Ni which exceed 1 ppm. Only two studies show that the minimum level of Ni in eye-shadows was less than 1 ppm, In several studies, maxima for Ni levels ranged between 4.133 and 359.4 ppm, Nickel has been found in a green eye liner which provoked a form of contact dermatitis in a 47-year-old woman whereas another study reported contact allergy to a Ni-containing mascara, A study reported a mean Ni content of 6.31 ± 4.21 ppm in eyebrow pencils, Most make-up foundation products seem to contain high amounts of Ni, quoting the minimum values above 3 ppm and the maximum values to 13.01 ppm, Only one study reported values being less than the detection limit, In a study on face paints, the average Ni content was 7.6 ppm, However, in other facial formulations such as face washes and creams, the content was reported to be very low with a mean of 0.04 ± 0.11 ppm or not detectable for these formulations respectively. Hair products are of no major concern, as the levels in shampoos and conditions do not exceed 0.06 ppm whereas the highest content of Ni in hair dyes is 4.167 ppm, Body products vary in Ni content. In general, Ni does not exceed 12.37 ppm, but the 1 ppm of Ni is exceeded for most products that include skin lightening creams, sun blocks, tonic creams and body creams, Body lotions and cleansers seem to contain very low Ni contents (<0.08 ppm), Whereas Ni in mascaras and eye shadows has been implicated in its involvement in allergic chronic dermatitis, several studies have reported that Ni allergy cannot be considered as the main risk factor in patients reporting eye-lid dermatitis,

What is another name for nickel in ingredients?

Other Name(s): Atomic number 28, Chlorure de Nickel, Ni, Nickel Chloride, Nickel Sulfate, Nickelous Sulfate, Níquel, Numéro Atomique 28, Oligo-Élément, Sulfate de Nickel, Sulfate Nickeleux, Trace Element.

Is everyone allergic to nickel?

What is nickel allergy? – Nickel is a common metal that is found in many metallic items, either electroplated or as an alloy and is used to make many things, including:

Costume jewelry (especially earrings, silver and white gold) Eyeglasses Apparel (clothing fasteners like snaps, zippers, and buttons) Coins Keys Metal tools Utensils Instruments Bathroom fixtures Furniture parts Batteries Machinery parts Nickel plating for metal alloys Mobile phones

Nickel is one of the most common causes of an allergy that causes itchy and inflamed red skin and rashes. This kind of allergy is called an ” allergic contact dermatitis,” sometimes called ” eczema,” Allergic contact dermatitis (a form of delayed allergy) occurs when skin that has become sensitive (allergic) to a substance, comes into contact with that substance.

• Symptoms may take as long as 72 hours or more after exposure to appear, usually at the site of nickel contact.
• There are also rare cases of immediate allergy to nickel appearing as a contact urticaria or hive-like reaction at the site of contact with the nickel-containing item.
• There is another type of contact dermatitis called irritant contact dermatitis, which happens when skin is repeatedly exposed to a mild irritant, such as from detergents or frequent wet work.

Symptoms of this type of cumulative irritant contact dermatitis are usually gradual in onset or can be immediate with severe exposures. Irritant contact dermatitis may predispose an individual to develop allergic contact dermatitis, for instance, to nickel.

What common products are made with nickel?

Nickel Today – Recent studies have shown that nickel processing and refinement can produce harmful health consequences. Research during the 1960s showed early indications that nickel compounds such as nickel carbonyl could cause lung tumors in laboratory rats.

Later studies conducted during the 1980s by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) demonstrated that prolonged exposure to high levels of nickel refinery dust, nickel carbonyl or nickel subsulfide — all direct byproducts of nickel refining and metals processing — could cause cancer.

Inhalation of nickel-containing fumes from welding of stainless steel was also found to be associated with increased cancer risk. This led to federal regulations limiting the amount of certain nickel compounds acceptable in the workplace and the environment.

1. If inhaled in certain forms at high concentrations over a long enough period of time, nickel is indeed carcinogenic to human beings.
2. Modern industrial hygiene practices have helped to curb these nickel-induced health complications.
3. By far the most common health-related effect of exposure to nickel is an allergic reaction.

Some people are genetically predisposed to becoming sensitized to nickel if they directly handle the metal often enough. Once sensitized, dermatitis — an allergic reaction on the skin — can occur at the site of contact, causing rashes and, in extreme cases, asthma attacks.

An estimated 5 to 10 percent of the population is susceptible to nickel allergies. Though nickel is used primarily in the steel industry to strengthen and add corrosion resistance to high-quality steels, it has found its way into a host of everyday objects. Nickel-containing household objects include faucets, kitchen utensils, appliances, rechargeable batteries (nickel-cadmium or Ni-Cad variety), jewelry and of course coins.

Like the ancients, most of us probably use nickel products without even knowing it.

Does MAC lipstick contain nickel?

SkinSAFE has reviewed the ingredients of M.A.C. Satin Lipstick, MAC Red, 0.1 oz and found it to be 91% Top Allergen Free and free of Gluten, Coconut, Nickel, Top Common Allergy Causing Preservatives, Lanolin, Paraben, Topical Antibiotic, MCI/MI, Soy, Propylene Glycol, and SLS.

Is there nickel in nail polish?

What Makes You Allergic? – There are tons of substances in nail polish and nail products that might cause an allergic reaction in any one individual. Nail polishes contain literally hundreds of different chemicals in each different formulation that may lead to allergies in anyone using them.

Does mascara have nickel?

– A mascara allergy or sensitivity usually relates to a hypersensitivity to preservatives, dyes, and fragrances. If you have sensitive skin and have reacted to certain ingredients in the past, you’re more likely to have a reaction to those ingredients in mascara.

Preservatives are a common culprit because water-based makeup, like most mascara, often contains them in especially high amounts. It must be emphasized, though, that preservatives aren’t inherently bad. In fact, they play an essential role in preventing the growth of harmful microorganisms that could cause irritation and infection.

Some common preservatives in mascara that can lead to irritation include:

parabenssodium benzoatequaternium-15 (formaldehyde releaser)

Allergic to nickel or other metals? The black iron oxide sometimes used to color mascara might also cause an allergic reaction, due to nickel contamination. Fragrance, another common component in mascara, can also cause irritation. “Fragrance” serves as an umbrella term for the various ingredients that give cosmetics a pleasant scent — or help mask the less-than-pleasant scents of other ingredients.

Does nickel stick to a magnet?

Metals That Attract To Magnets –

• Metals that naturally attract magnets are known as ferromagnetic metals; these magnets will firmly stick to these metals.
• For example, iron, cobalt, steel, nickel, manganese, gadolinium, and lodestone are all ferromagnetic metals.
• Some metals, including iron, are referred to as magnetically soft because they become strong temporary magnets when a strong magnetic field is placed near them and then lose their magnetism when the magnet is removed.
• Other metals, such as rare-earth metals like and and alloys of iron will maintain most of their magnetism even when they aren’t in a magnetic field, which is why they are known as magnetically hard and make good permanent magnets.

How can you tell if something is nickel or silver?

The Magnet Test – Most precious metals-like gold and copper -are nonmagnetic, and silver is no exception. Grab some magnets and see if they are drawn to your object. “Silver is not noticeably magnetic, and exhibits only weak magnetic effects unlike iron, nickel, cobalt, and the like,” says Martin.

Is there a test for nickel?

Diagnosis – Your doctor can usually diagnose nickel allergy based on your skin’s appearance, and a recent exposure to items that may contain nickel. If the cause of your rash isn’t apparent, however, your doctor may recommend a patch test (contact hypersensitivity allergy test). He or she may refer you to an allergy specialist (allergist) or a skin specialist (dermatologist) for this test.

What are the characteristics to identify nickel?

Nickel is silvery-white. hard, malleable, and ductile metal. It is of the iron group and it takes on a high polish. It is a fairly good conductor of heat and electricity.

What does nickel look like naturally?

The Facts on Nickel Nickel is a silvery-white metal found naturally in the earth’s crust. The world’s 24th most abundant element, nickel is a transition metal, meaning it occupies the middle of the periodic table of elements. This indicates it has chemical properties that enable it to form multiple chemical compounds, some of which are toxic.

1. Pure nickel is hard yet ductile pliable and for this reason it is used as a strengthening component in metal alloys.
2. It is also an excellent conductor of both heat and electricity.
3. The element was discovered unintentionally in 1751 by Baron Axel Frederick Cronstedt, who extracted it from a mineral called niccolite.

Intending to extract copper, the Baron’s efforts produced a white substance rather than the reddish substance he expected. He dubbed the new metal “kupfernickel”, a German word that roughly translates to “Devil’s copper.”

How do you know if your makeup has metal in it?

Cleaning up Your Makeup Bag – All types of makeup, whether natural or high-end, may contain heavy metals such as lead, aluminum, cadmium, arsenic, or mercury, to name a few. Heavy metals will not be listed on the ingredients list because they are contaminants.

Look for brands that disclose all of the ingredients in their products publicly (including those as part of “fragrance”) and actively test ingredients for heavy metals. Companies that recognize the importance of testing raw materials and/or finished products will proactively display this information on their website. Simply being “FDA compliant” does NOT ensure safety, as there is little to no regulation on cosmetic products. The brands I have researched and purchase from are Beautycounter, Primally Pure, and Jane Iredale.Researching a specific brand? Search Google for the beauty brand’s name and “heavy metals” or “safety testing” and see what kind of results you get. If you can’t find information about ingredients or how they test for contaminants, reach out to the company personally and ask for information about what kind of additional testing they do on ingredients and/or finished products.Check out the EWG’s Skin Deep database for unbiased cosmetic safety reviews.Stop using antiperspirants as they all contain aluminum. There are many safe deodorants that work great! I personally love Primally Pure’s Charcoal Deodorant,Check my list of 10 Harmful Ingredients to Avoid in Makeup and Skin Care Products for more insight on how to make healthful decisions when purchasing personal care products.

Over the past two years, I’ve switched myself and my family over to all cosmetics that are tested for safety, and the majority of the products I use are from Beautycounter. I love that they have set their own allowable limits (lower than the FDA) for heavy metals and actively test products every step of the way in manufacturing to ensure finished products don’t contain dangerous levels of heavy metals.

• When I’m wearing Beautycounter, I know I’m safe—and using products that actually work.
• After years of using a variety of natural brands and always feeling like my skin was terrible, I switched to Beautycounter (specifically, the Countertime anti-aging line ) and haven’t looked back.
• Want to know more about safer brands, cosmetics, and cleaning products? Join my Safer Beauty Tribe here ! I send out exclusive information (pretty hefty emails all about safe skin care, beauty, and household products!) and do promotions and giveaways.

Be strong,

How do you find out what you’re allergic to in makeup?

Testing for Allergens – There is some good news. You don’t have to wait until you have an allergic reaction to try and figure out what you are allergic to. You can get tested. Knowing precisely what allergen has caused a reaction will help you to avoid further exposure to the substance. Your healthcare provider may recommend you undergo patch testing or some other, less frequently used tests.

Patch Test This test is often used to diagnose dermatitis, or irritation and swelling of the skin. This test involves placing a small amount of allergen on the skin and covering it for 48 hours. A doctor will inspect the skin after 72 to 96 hours and check for signs of an allergic reaction, including, redness, a rash, or hives. Based on the symptoms present, the physician can determine whether the patient has had an allergic reaction. Patch testing requires two to three office visits. If a patient has very sensitive skin, this type of testing may not be specific enough to help identify allergens and other methods may be used.

Prick Test This type of testing involves placing an allergen on the patient’s skin and pricking the skin in that same spot with a needle. The areas that were pricked (usually on the forearms) are then monitored. Redness, itching, or swelling may develop if the person is allergic to the substance. Intradermal Test This test is like the prick test; however, for this test, allergens are injected into the top layer of skin and monitored for any signs of allergic reaction; redness, swelling, itching, etc. Allergy Blood Test This test involves taking a blood sample from a patient and adding an allergen to it to see if antibodies are created. If antibodies are produced in response to the allergen, then the patient is likely allergic to that substance.

How can I tell if I’m allergic to nickel?

Diagnosis – Your doctor can usually diagnose nickel allergy based on your skin’s appearance, and a recent exposure to items that may contain nickel. If the cause of your rash isn’t apparent, however, your doctor may recommend a patch test (contact hypersensitivity allergy test). He or she may refer you to an allergy specialist (allergist) or a skin specialist (dermatologist) for this test.

What does a nickel allergy look like on skin?

What does an allergic reaction to nickel l​ook like? – The skin allergic reaction to nickel looks like eczema. Signs and symptoms include an itchy rash with redness, swelling, scaling and possibly a crusty appearance. The rash generally appears on the area of the skin that comes into contact with the metal.