Skip to main content

Adverse Skin Reactions to Cosmetics and Skin Care Products

  • Living reference work entry
  • Latest version View entry history
  • First Online:
Contact Dermatitis

Abstract

Cosmetics have become ubiquitous and form part of daily life for many. With this rapid proliferation and diversification of cosmetic products, we have seen a corresponding increase in the number of cases of contact dermatitis to these products. In this chapter, we will explore this in more detail, by examining the definition of a cosmetic, the epidemiology, and clinical features and highlighting both old and newer cosmetic products and allergens reported to cause contact allergy. We will finish by exploring how and what to test to, in order to cover these exposures as well as what to tell the patient.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Corazza M et al (2018) Side effects of tango: connubial contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 80:241–242

    Google Scholar 

  2. US Food and Drug Administration (2018) [cited 2018 01/10/2018]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/guidanceregulation/lawsregulations/ucm074162.htm

  3. Orton DI, Wilkinson JD (2004) Cosmetic allergy: incidence, diagnosis, and management. Am J Clin Dermatol 5(5):327–337

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Smith VM, Clark SM, Wilkinson M (2016) Cosmetics. In: Johansen JD, Lepoittevin JP, Thyssen JP (eds) Quick guide to contact dermatitis. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, pp 257–273

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  5. Sedlewicz LB (2005) Cosmetic preservatives: friend or foe? SKINmed 4(2):98–100

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database (2011) [01/10/2018]. Available from: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/research

  7. Diepgen T et al (2016) Prevalence of contact allergy in the general population in different European regions. Br J Dermatol 174(2):319–329

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Vigan M (1997) New allergens in cosmetics. Cosmetovigilance. Ann Dermatol Venereol 124(8):571–575

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. de Groot AC et al (1988) The role of contact allergy in the spectrum of adverse effects caused by cosmetics and toiletries. Contact Dermatitis 19(3):195–201

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Goossens A (2011) Contact-allergic reactions to cosmetics. J Allergy (Cairo) 2011:467071

    Google Scholar 

  11. Fisher AA (1990) “Status cosmeticus”: a cosmetic intolerance syndrome. Cutis 46(2):109–110

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Willis CM et al (2001) Sensitive skin: an epidemiological study. Br J Dermatol 145(2):258–263

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Misery L et al (2014) A new ten-item questionnaire for assessing sensitive skin: the Sensitive Scale-10. Acta Derm Venereol 94(6):635–639

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Taieb C et al (2014) Sensitive skin in Brazil and Russia: an epidemiological and comparative approach. Eur J Dermatol 24(3):372–376

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Pons-Guiraud A (2004) Sensitive skin: a complex and multifactorial syndrome. J Cosmet Dermatol 3(3):145–148

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Muizzuddin N, Marenus KD, Maes DH (1998) Factors defining sensitive skin and its treatment. Am J Contact Dermat 9(3):170–175

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Foley P et al (1993) The frequency of reactions to sunscreens: results of a longitudinal population-based study on the regular use of sunscreens in Australia. Br J Dermatol 128(5):512–518

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Wakelin SH (2001) Contact urticaria. Clin Exp Dermatol 26(2):132–136

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Johansen JD et al (2015) European Society of Contact Dermatitis guideline for diagnostic patch testing – recommendations on best practice. Contact Dermatitis 73(4):195–221

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Siegfried E, Hebert A (2015) Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: mimics, overlaps, and complications. J Clin Med 4(5):884–917

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Zhang AJ, Warshaw EM (2018) Pet consort dermatitis: the importance of asking about pets. Dermatitis 29(1):45–46

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Jensen P et al (2012) Connubial allergic contact dermatitis caused by fragrance ingredients. Dermatitis 23(1):e1–e2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Latheef F et al (2015) A severe irritant reaction to antiseptic bath emollient. InnovAiT 8(11):701–702

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Loo WJ (2003) Irritant dermatitis due to prolonged contact with Oilatum Plus. Br J Dermatol 148(1):171–172

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Deza G, Giménez-Arnau AM (2017) Allergic contact dermatitis in preservatives: current standing and future options. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 17(4):263–268

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Minamoto K (2010) Skin sensitizers in cosmetics and skin care products. Nihon eiseigaku zasshi. Jpn J Hyg 65(1):20–29

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Laden K (1999) Antiperspirants and deodorants. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Book  Google Scholar 

  28. Zirwas MJ (2019) Contact dermatitis to cosmetics. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 56(1):119–128

    Google Scholar 

  29. Shaffer MP, Williford PM, Sherertz EF (2000) An old reaction in a new setting: the paraben paradox. Am J Contact Dermat 11(3):189

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Bruzzoniti MC et al (2017) Chromium, nickel, and cobalt in cosmetic matrices: an integrated bioanalytical characterization through total content, bioaccessibility, and Cr(III)/Cr(VI) speciation. Anal Bioanal Chem 409(29):6831–6841

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Wilkinson M, Orton D (2017) Acrylate allergy: time to intervene. Contact Dermatitis 77(6):353–355

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Knopp E, Watsky K (2008) Eyelid dermatitis: Contact allergy to 3-(dimethylamino) propylamine. Dermatitis 19(6):328

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  33. Alessandrini A, Piraccini B (2016) Essential of hair care cosmetics. Cosmetics 3(4):34

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Gach JE, Stone NM, Finch TM (2005) A series of four cases of allergic contact dermatitis to phthalic anhydride/trimellitic anhydride/glycols copolymer in nail varnish. Contact Dermatitis 53(1):63–64

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Chowdhury MM, Statham BN (2002) Allergic contact dermatitis from dibutyl phthalate and benzalkonium chloride in Timodine cream. Contact Dermatitis 46(1):57

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Spencer A, Gazzani P, Thompson DA (2016) Acrylate and methacrylate contact allergy and allergic contact disease: a 13-year review. Contact Dermatitis 75(3):157–164

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Thomson KF, Wilkinson SM (2000) Allergic contact dermatitis to plant extracts in patients with cosmetic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 142(1):84–88

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Schnuch A et al (2012) Surveillance of contact allergies: methods and results of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK). Allergy 67(7):847–857

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Poulsen PB, Strandesen M (2011) Survey and health assessment of cosmetic products marketed as “non-preserved”. Environmental Protection Agency

    Google Scholar 

  40. Werbrouck J, Lambrecht C, Goossens A (2015) C12-15 alkyl benzoate: a new cosmetic allergen? Contact Dermatitis 73(4):249–250

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Gallo R et al (2016) Scutellaria baicalensis extract: a novel botanical allergen in cosmetic products? Contact Dermatitis 75(6):387–388

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. de Groot A, Jagtman BA, Woutersen M (2017) Contact allergy to neem oil. Dermatitis 28(6):360–362

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Fasth IM, Ulrich NH, Johansen JD (2018) Ten-year trends in contact allergy to formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasers. Contact Dermatitis 79(5):263–269

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Hauksson I et al (2016) Formaldehyde in cosmetics in patch tested dermatitis patients with and without contact allergy to formaldehyde. Contact Dermatitis 74(3):145–151

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Gimenez-Arnau AM et al (2017) Contact allergy to preservatives: ESSCA∗ results with the baseline series, 2009–2012. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 31(4):664–671

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Kamstrup MR et al (2017) Contact allergy to methyldibromo glutaronitrile is still of clinical relevance. Contact Dermatitis 77(4):250–251

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Latheef F, Wilkinson SM (2015) Methylisothiazolinone outbreak in the European Union. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 15(5):461–466

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Urwin R et al (2017) Methylisothiazolinone: the epidemic is declining – but not gone. Contact Dermatitis 76(5):301–302

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Gallo R et al (2016) Methylisothiazolinone contact allergy – are rinse-off cosmetics and household products relevant sources of exposure? Contact Dermatitis 75(5):319–321

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Flury U, Palmer A, Nixon R (2018) The methylisothiazolinone contact allergy epidemic in Australia. Contact Dermatitis 79(3):189–191

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Opstrup MS et al (2015) Chlorhexidine in cosmetic products – a market survey. Contact Dermatitis 72(1):55–58

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Wong CS, Beck MH (2001) Allergic contact dermatitis from triclosan in antibacterial handwashes. Contact Dermatitis 45(5):307

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Field S et al (2007) Allergic contact dermatitis from tertiary-butylhydroquinone and Laureth 12 in a hair dye. Contact Dermatitis 56(2):116

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Corazza M et al (2012) Vitamin E contact allergy: a controversial subject. Dermatitis 23(4):167–169

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Schneller-Pavelescu L et al (2019) “Crossed” allergic contact dermatitis caused by oxidized vitamin K1 in a patient previously sensitized to non-oxidized vitamin K1. Contact Dermatitis 80(1):64–65

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Holcomb ZE, Van Noord MG, Atwater AR (2017) Gallate contact dermatitis: product update and systematic review. Dermatitis 28(2):115–127

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Fernandes RA et al (2018) Allergic contact dermatitis caused by dexpanthenol-probably a frequent allergen. Contact Dermatitis 79(5):276–280

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Andersen KE (2015) Hesperidin methyl chalcone – a new cosmetic contact allergen. Contact Dermatitis 72(6):402–404

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Rodrigues DF, Goulart EM (2016) Patch-test results in children and adolescents: systematic review of a 15-year period. An Bras Dermatol 91(1):64–72

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  60. Ozkaya E, Kilic S (2018) Polyethylene glycol as marker for nitrofurazone allergy: 20 years of experience from Turkey. Contact Dermatitis 78(3):211–215

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Fisher AA, Pascher F, Kanof NB (1971) Allergic contact dermatitis due to ingredients of vehicles: a vehicle tray for patch testing. Arch Dermatol 104(3):286–290

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Fransen M et al (2018) Contact allergy to lanolin: temporal changes in prevalence and association with atopic dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 78(1):70–75

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Mertens S, Gilissen L, Goossens A (2016) Allergic contact dermatitis caused by cocamide diethanolamine. Contact Dermatitis 75(1):20–24

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Corazza M et al (2016) Contact sensitization to emulsifying agents: an underrated issue? Dermatitis 27(5):276–281

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Bhoyrul B et al (2019) Patch testing with alkyl glucosides: concomitant reactions are common but not ubiquitous. Contact Dermatitis 80(5):286–290. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.13186. Epub 2018 Dec

  66. Boucneau F et al (2018) Arachidyl glucoside: another cosmetic allergen. Contact Dermatitis 79(5):321–323

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Bennike NH, Johansen JD (2016) Sorbitan sesquioleate; a rare cause of contact allergy in consecutively patch tested dermatitis patients. Contact Dermatitis 74(4):242–245

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Yokota M et al (2007) Allergic contact dermatitis caused by tosylamide formaldehyde resin in nail varnish: an old allergen that has not disappeared. Contact Dermatitis 57(4):277

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Teik-Jin Goon A et al (2007) Contact allergy to acrylates/methacrylates in the acrylate and nail acrylics series in southern Sweden: simultaneous positive patch test reaction patterns and possible screening allergens. Contact Dermatitis 57(1):21–27

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Montgomery R, Stocks SJ, Wilkinson SM (2016) Contact allergy resulting from the use of acrylate nails is increasing in both users and those who are occupationally exposed. Contact Dermatitis 74(2):120–122

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Goon AT et al (2008) Screening for acrylate/methacrylate allergy in the baseline series: our experience in Sweden and Singapore. Contact Dermatitis 59(5):307–313

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Aerts O, Verhulst L, Goossens A (2016) Ethylhexylglycerin: a low-risk, but highly relevant, sensitizer in ‘hypo-allergenic’ cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis 74(5):281–288

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Mangodt EA et al (2019) Capryloyl glycine: a polyfunctional cosmetic ingredient and potential skin sensitizer. Contact Dermatitis 80(6):400–402. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.13215. Epub 2019 Feb 27

  74. Natkunarajah J, Ostlere L (2008) Allergic contact dermatitis to idebenone in an over-the-counter anti-ageing cream. Contact Dermatitis 58(4):239

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Jacob SE et al (2016) Benzoate allergy in children – from foods to personal hygiene products. Pediatr Dermatol 33(2):213–215

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Leysen J et al (2014) Polyhexamethylene biguanide is a relevant sensitizer in wet wipes. Contact Dermatitis 70(5):323–325

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Vandeweghe J, Decoster E, Lapeere H (2018) First report of allergic contact dermatitis caused by sorbitan caprylate. Contact Dermatitis 78(2):162–164

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Goossens A et al (2008) New cosmetic allergens: isononyl isononanoate and trioleyl phosphate. Contact Dermatitis 59(5):320–321

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Higgins E, Collins P (2013) The relevance of 7-day patch test reading. Dermatitis 24(5):237–240

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Goossens A, Drieghe J (1998) Computer applications in contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis 38(1):51–52

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Faheem Latheef .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Latheef, F., Wilkinson, M. (2020). Adverse Skin Reactions to Cosmetics and Skin Care Products. In: Johansen, J., Mahler, V., Lepoittevin, JP., Frosch, P. (eds) Contact Dermatitis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72451-5_83-2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72451-5_83-2

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-72451-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-72451-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Adverse Skin Reactions to Cosmetics and Skin Care Products
    Published:
    10 June 2020

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72451-5_83-2

  2. Original

    Cosmetics and Skin Care Products
    Published:
    06 March 2020

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72451-5_83-1