Clinique - Allergic Reactions

I have been using Clinique Perfume and body smoother for approximately 10 years and never had a problem. The perfume is called Aromatic Elixir. The last bottle of perfume which I received a couple of months ago and was purchased in the States I used for the first time about 2 weeks ago. When I sprayed it on my neck I received an immediate burning sensation and my neck turned very red. I also sprayed on the insides of my elbows with the same reaction. A couple of days later I broke out in a a dreadful rash and my skin on my neck and chest felt very rough.

I went to a dermatologist who diagnosed contact dermatitis and prescribed a cortizone based ointment. I have been using this for five days already and although my skin has improved the rash hasn't completely disappeared yet. With the perfume I also received two tubes of the Body smoother. I used the first tube with no ill effects but am afraid to try the second one as the colour is different from what I've used before. It has a pearl like colour.

used free sample of face cleanser followed by turnaround cream. That evening face felt hot, swelled and developed a chemical burn and terrible damage to my skin. According to my surgeon I had a systemic reaction. Glands on the side of my face by my ears continued to swell when I would get tired. I got a lump in my beast due to my whole immune system being impacted. I even lost eyebrow!

I used to have a complexion that people would walk up to me and comment how nice it was and since I was in my 50s my face has not recovered and the texture became like leather and I had bumps under my skin that cortisone did not rectify. I went to a homeopath and their treatment elimated the bumps, which had to be repeated when they would again appear. I was in job transition and when my face was swollen and burned I would not even go out of my home. It has negatively affected my self-image.

It took Clinique months to get the ingredients to my dermatologist for testing to find out I was allergic to EVERY ingredient in their hypoallergenic face wash! Not to mention additional ingredients in the turnaround cream.

My face is permanently damaged and now very sensitive to products, although I seem able to use cetaphil, doctor recommended, Shaklee, to a degree, and now another product.

Clinique seems to be very damaging to me. My eyebrows were affected but in general my complexion has been ruined. My complexion was one of my assets and becaue I was in my 50s my skin did not recover and in order to receive help it is not covered because insurance considers it cosmetic. I spent for prescriptions, co-pays, time from work, visits to the homeopath and remdies and the visit to the surgeon, the distress with a lump in my breast and my ruined skin when I was supposed to be looking for a job!

I have never had an allergic reaction in the past, but about 6 months ago I developed a "contact dermatitis" from cosmetics. It was so severe that I had to go on a topical and oral steroid. I had devloped what looked little red pimples all over my face, mostly on my cheeks and around my mouth.

My doctor instructed that I had extremely sensitive skin and to only use "hypoallergenic" products. I went 2 1/2 weeks without the use of as much as soap. I then started to use Neutrogena products (dr's suggestion) with the same reaction. I then switched to Clinique. To no avail, I have had the same reaction to both.

My complaint is that how can a company claim their products are "hypoallergenic, for sensitive skin, and dermatoligist tested" when they still cause allergic reactions. Clinique claims to test their products on 500 people and if there are any reactions within the group they dont produce the product.

I have spent over $500 with the combination of products that I purchased, couldn't use and the dr's bills as well as emotional distress. I cannot wear cosmetics and therefor cannot cover up this "acne like" stuff on my face. It has caused me a lot of money, embarassment, and distress and more dr's bills to follow to find out what ingridient is causing this.