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Ethylhexylglycerin: a low‐risk, but highly relevant, sensitizer in ‘hypo‐allergenic’ cosmetics
Author(s) -
Aerts Olivier,
Verhulst Lien,
Goossens An
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/cod.12546
Subject(s) - cosmetics , medicine , dermatology , allergic contact dermatitis , allergy , immunology , pathology
Summary Background Ethylhexylglycerin is a relatively new cosmetic ingredient that is used for its surfactant, emollient, skin‐conditioning and antimicrobial properties. Since 2002, it has been occasionally reported as a contact allergen. Objectives To report on 13 patients who presented with allergic contact dermatitis caused by ethylhexylglycerin, evaluated at two Belgian university patch test clinics during the period 1990–2015. Patients and methods The patients were patch tested with the European baseline series, a cosmetic series, and – if indicated – additional series. Both the cosmetic products used and their single ingredients were patch tested. Results All but one of the ethylhexylglycerin‐allergic patients were female, with a median age of 43 years (range: 29–81 years), most often suffering from dermatitis on the face, and sometimes on the hands and/or axillae. As the culprit products, leave‐on cosmetics were identified, including a high number of proclaimed ‘hypo‐allergenic’ and ‘preservative‐free’ facial creams, sun protection creams, and deodorants. Conclusions Ethylhexylglycerin is a rare, but highly relevant, cosmetic sensitizer, even in those products advertised to be safe for consumers. Targeted patch testing with ethylhexylglycerin 5% pet. is very useful, and routine patch testing in a cosmetic series may be considered. Higher test concentrations might be indicated in selected cases.