I’m Allergic to Belo Intensive Whitening BB Cream

It was March 11, 2016 when I decided to use the Belo Intensive Whitening BB Cream that I received as a sample. Sadly, it was March 13, 2016 when I regretted using it.

*According to Belo Essentials’ Facebook Page:

Product details:

Instantly covers blemishes and imperfections as it works to intensively whiten skin. Use alone for a flawless no make-up look, or layer under your favorite foundation or powder.

TONE CORRECTING FORMULA evens out skin tone and leaves a flawless natural finish

KOJIC ACID + TRANEXAMIC ACID whitens skin deeply and reduces the appearance of stubborn dark spots

With SPF 50 and PA+++ that protects skin against age-accelerating UV rays

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*Taken from Belo Essentials’ Facebook Page*

When I got this Belo Intensive Whitening BB Cream, I didn’t think twice about using it because even though I already had an allergic reaction (all over my body) to one of Belo’s products (check this review: Belo Sunexpert Body Shield SPF60) before, I figured that it wouldn’t happen again because maybe, just maybe, my experience with this one would be totally different.

Well, I was wrong. So wrong.

I used this product last March 11, 2016 (Friday) and although it’s been a while already, I still remember that date because I took note of everything. I just wasn’t brave enough to blog about it before because I didn’t want to share photos of the allergy since it was on my face. I am now ready to share it here.

Last March 11, after washing my face, I proceeded to apply this BB Cream. After application, I also used a face powder and a cheek tint. That was it.

On March 13, 2016, as I was driving on my way to my parents’ house, I noticed that there was something odd on my cheeks. I saw a few spots and, initially, I thought that those were pimples but then after a few more minutes, I started seeing more spots, some of which were quite itchy. I got really nervous because I didn’t know what it was and the fact that it was on my face made me nervous even more.

By the time I got to my parents’ house, there were already a lot of spots on my face but mostly on the cheeks area. I knew right there and then that I had an allergic reaction to one of the products I used on my  face. The thing is that the only new product I ever used on my face that time was Belo’s Intensive Whitening BB Cream.

To be 100% sure, I even tried to do a patch test and as you can see in the photos above, I also started getting spots the day after application. I do regret not doing the patch test first before applying it on my face but, in my defense, I didn’t really think it would result to allergies since I have never experienced getting allergic reactions to any of the products that I have used on my face. Given that it was the second time that I had an allergic reaction using a Belo product, it did make me wonder what was it in the list of ingredients that Belo uses in their products that’s causing this to happen.

I honestly don’t know which was worse: allergies all over the body or on the face.

When I had an allergic reaction to Belo’s Sunexpert Body Shield SPF60, I sure had a difficult time resisting the urge to scratch because the spots were all over my body BUT, at least, I was able to hide it from prying eyes by wearing pants and long sleeves. However, with the allergies on my face, I found it harder because there was no way for me to cover my entire face.

I sent a message to Belo Essentials’ Facebook Page in hopes that they could get their doctor to check the allergies on my face so that I wouldn’t have to go seek medical help somewhere else. The first time I had an allergic reaction using their sunblock lotion, I also sent them a message but by the time they scheduled me for a check-up with their doctor, the spots were already gone so it became difficult for them to assess what happened. This time around, I made sure to send them a message the day after the spots started appearing on my face.

 

When they replied to my message less than 2 hours from the time I contacted them, it gave me hope that they will be able to help me right away.

After answering all the questions they asked, they didn’t respond anymore. I sent them a message on March 16 but still no response.

The first few days were very difficult since my entire face was so itchy. I was so afraid that I would end up scratching my face while asleep that I had to cover my hands with something before going to bed.

When Belo Essentials didn’t reply to my message, I wanted to just go see another doctor but I didn’t do it in the first week of my allergy. I was so embarrassed with how my face looked like that I feared that if I go to the nearest clinic in my area, people would notice how horrible I looked so I decided to wait for a few more days.

For about a week, I didn’t have the energy to go anywhere except my parents’ house. I felt so vulnerable. I couldn’t use anything on my face, not even soap because I was scared that it might make the situation worse.  Washing my face with water was already bad enough because I got so grossed out touching my face that time.

On March 19, I finally decided to see a doctor since the spots on my face weren’t as red and weren’t as much anymore. Still, I didn’t feel comfortable with my looks since it was possibly the first time I ever went out without any makeup on my face. I was able to use an eyeliner and eyebrow pencil but I left my entire face makeup-free. I lost all confidence I had because even though the spots weren’t that reddish anymore, my face still looked awful. I had to cover my cheeks with my hair and I had to keep my head down the whole time I was in the clinic so that no one else (except the doctor) would see.

The doctor prescribed some medicines that helped me a lot with the itch. After a week of taking the pills, the itching stopped but the spots remained for a few more weeks.

After a month, the spots were completely gone but, even then, I couldn’t find the courage to put any makeup on my face. I WAS TRAUMATIZED. For months, I would only use an eyeliner, an eyebrow pencil and a lipstick. It took a while before I finally had the strength to paint my face again.

On March 31, 2016, Belo Essentials responded to my message but, by that time, it was already too late. Whether it was intentional or not on their part, I could not believe that they waited that long to respond to my message. They knew from the very start that my situation was serious and one that needed urgent attention so no, I did not appreciate that they made me wait for weeks. Now, every single time I see any Belo products, I cringe. I know some people might say that it’s my fault because I didn’t do a patch test beforehand so shame on me for that BUT shame on them for not showing that they cared and for not showing any sense of urgency at all.

 

Belo Essentials

Website: http://beloessentials.ph/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/beloessentials/?fref=ts