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Lipgloss left gran 'looking like a monster'

Lynda Roberts with her swollen lips Credit: MEN Syndication

A grandmother has revealed how she was left ‘looking like a monster’ after an allergic reaction to a lipgloss. Doctors thought Lynda Roberts, 62 had some kind of viral infection after her mouth to blistered.

The gran-of-four from Salford, never suspected her Dior Addict lipgloss was to blame, having used the product before.

But after months of agony, it emerged the French cosmetics firm had changed the formula - adding a preservative called propyl gallate in the new tube Lynda’s daughter had bought for her. After months of trying different medication, Lynda stopped using the lipgloss - and was amazed when her ‘viral condition’ disappeared.

Dior arranged for her to have tests with a dermatologist which revealed the allergy to propyl gallate, used to stop fats in food and cosmetics from reacting with oxygen. The company has since sent her a letter apologising for the ‘inconvenience’ and a free candle - and at Lynda’s request donated her refund to charity.

Lynda, from Salford told the MEN:

“I missed my 40th wedding anniversary because I looked like a monster and just didn’t want to go out...I think other people should know about propyl gallate because it can cause such a severe reaction.”

Consumer safety is our main priority. All cosmetic products placed on the European market are regulated by strict EU laws (the Cosmetic Products Regulations EC No 1223/2009). Propyl Gallate is not on the prohibited list nor is its use restricted in cosmetics. It is not carcinogenic. It is a food additive (E310).

We were sorry to learn of our consumer’s condition and were grateful that she had taken the time to return the product for analysis. Cases like these are fed into the industry scientific bodies to continue to inform research and regulation of this industry."

– Parfums Christian Dior