Premium
FC04.1
Some new and unexpected allergens in cosmetics
Author(s) -
Goossens An
Publication year - 2004
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/j.0105-1873.2004.0309dm.x
Subject(s) - cosmetics , chemistry , ingredient , polyvinyl alcohol , organic chemistry , allergic contact dermatitis , polyethylene glycol , emulsion , contact urticaria , allergy , contact dermatitis , food science , medicine , immunology
Labels on cosmetics with statements such as ‘recommended by dermatologists’, ‘allergy‐tested’, ‘hypo‐allergenic’, and more recently ‘for use on intolerant’ or for ‘sensitive skin’ have become very popular. Indeed, many ingredients are used precisely because of their low irritancy potential. However, this does not preclude the occurrence of contact allergic reactions from such cosmetic products. During the last few months several of these substances have been identified as allergens. Examples are: – Alkylglucosides, e.g. coco‐, decyl‐, and laurylglucosides, which are condensation products of the corresponding fatty alcohols with glucose, are widely used as emulsifiers in skin‐care products, mild surfactants and cleansing agents, as well as in fragrance products, hair dyes, sunscreens and tanning products. – Ethylhexylglycerin (syn.: octoxyglycerin) is used as a skin conditioning agent (and for miscellaneous purposes). – Methoxy PEG‐17 and PEG‐22/dodecyl glycol copolymers, which are alkoxylated alcohols and synthetic polymers, are used as emulsion stabilizers and suspending and viscosity‐increasing agents, and also as skin‐conditioning agents. – Butylene glycol and pentylene glycol are aliphatic alcohols with applications similar to those of propylene glycol, which is considered to be more irritant and allergenic. These agents are widely used in a wide variety of cosmetic products because of their solvent, humectant and antibacterial effects. Butylene glycol is also usd as a fragrance ingredient and as a skin conditioner.