Cosmetic allergens

Antioxidants form only a minor group of cosmetic allergens. Examples are propyl gallate, octyl gallate,66 which may cross-react with other gallates and are also used as food additives, and t-butyl hydroquinone, a well-known allergen in the United Kingdom but not in continental Europe.2... 

Le Coz, C.J. and Lefebvre, C., Contact dermatitis from maleated soybean oil last gasps of an expiring cosmetic allergen, Contact Dermatitis, 43, 118, 2000. 

Lomholt, H., Rastogi, S.C., and Andersen, K.E., Allergic contact dermatitis from sodium dihydroxycetyl phosphate, a new cosmetic allergen Contact Dermatitis, 45, 143, 2001. 

De Groot, A.C. (1997) Cocamidopropyl betaine a new important cosmetic allergen. Dermatosen in Berufund Umwelt, 45(2), 60-3. 

Botulinum toxin-A Botox cosmetic (Allergen) Strabismus blepharospasm glabellar lines cervical dystonia axillary hyperidrosis... 

Schnuch A. Osmaron B is a rare occupational, bnt a freqnent cosmetic, allergen. Contact Dermatitis 200I 44(2) I33-4. 

Le Coz CJ, Lefebvre C, Ludmann F, Grosshans E. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/eicosene copolymer an emerging cosmetic allergen. Contact Dermatitis 2000 43(l) 61-2. 

Hairdressing allergens Cosmetic allergens Deordorants Balsam of Peru, 25%... 

The Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) handles questions concerning the safety of consumer products (nonfood products intended for the consumer). In particular, the Committee addresses questions in relation to the safety and allergenic properties of cosmetic products and ingredients with respect to their impact on consumer health, toys, textiles, clothing, personal care products, domestic products such as detergents, and consumer services such as tattooing (EU 2006f). 

Lanolin and its numerous derivatives have been widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries for many years as vehicles for active ingredients and for their beneficial effects on skin function.3 Although purified lanolin is used without incident by millions of people, confusion still exists concerning the possible allergenic potential of lanolin. The extremely low incidence of sensitization of healthy individuals to purified lanolin used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries has been comprehensively reviewed.4-6... 

Taking the history of the patient and noting the clinical symptoms and localization of the lesions are critical. Allergen identification for a patient with a possible contact allergy to cosmetics is performed by means of patch testing with the standard series, specific cosmetic-test series, the product itself, and all of its ingredients. We can only find the allergens we look for. For skin tests with cosmetic products... 

The existing voluntary labelling of detergents now forms part of this Regulation and this has been expanded to list any preservative used in the product and the presence of allergenic perfume ingredients (as defined by the Scientific Committee on Cosmetics and Non Food Products) in excess of 0.01%. 

Rietschell RL (1982) Advances and pitfalls in irritant and allergen testing. J Soc Cosmet Chem 33 309-313 Wooding WH, Opdyke DL (1967) A statistical approach to the evaluation of cutaneous responses to irritants. J Soc Cos-met Chem 16 809-829... 

The presence of the hydroxy group on ricinoleate (12-hydroxy oleate) underlies many industrial uses, such as the manufacture of lithium grease, plastics, paints, coatings, and cosmetics. Castor oil contains 90% of its fatty acids (FA) as ricinoleate (Achaya et al., 1964) and is the only commercial source of ricinoleate. Since the castor bean contains the toxin ricin and potent allergens, it... 

Captan is one of the older fungicides. It is used for pityriasis versicolor and is included in some soaps and cosmetics to provide bactericidal and fungicidal effects. It is allergenic. It is carcinogenic in mice, and in several countries control agencies have taken steps to prohibit its use in cosmetics and non-drug products (SEDA-13, 236). 

Antimicrobial drugs are widely used in topical medicaments, cosmetics, household products, and industrial biocides. Depending on their concentrations, they can function as disinfectants, antiseptics, or preservatives. The prevalence and rank order of sensitization to antimicrobial allergens in Europe have been reviewed (1,2). The most frequent antimicrobial allergens in 8521 patients who were patch-tested between 1985 and 1997 in Belgium are given in Table 1 (2). 

Colophony, a natural unmodified gum resin from Pinus species (terebinth), used in cosmetics such as mascara, lipsticks, creams, and hair removal products, is a known contact allergen. Modifications have been made to colo-phonium, resulting in a variety of ester gums. 

Pahnitate-related substances are viscous oils used in cosmetics and topical medicaments. In lipsticks they replace castor oil (1). Allergic reactions to lipsticks have been reported to be caused by a variety of allergens, for example azo dyes, colophony, lanolin, castor oil, sunscreens, and para-tertiary butylphenol. 

De Groot AC. Contact allergens—what s new Cosmetic dermatitis. Clin Dermatol 1997 15(4) 485-91. 

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