Allergen

Wipes, Wet Wipes

Shower wipes, intimate hygiene wipes for men, feminine wipes, makeup removal wipes, baby wipes … these handy cleaning sheets are convenient but they — even those labeled “hypoallergenic,” “for sensitive skin,” or “unscented” — do tend to contain several top contact allergens.

They also tend to have lots of natural extracts. This can sound appealing but (and while there are exceptions like virgin coconut oil) many natural substances are proven contact allergens, enough so that a study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology states, “We emphasize the misconception of clean, natural, organic, and vegan to equal safe … Many naturally derived ingredients are the cause of dermatitis.” Opt for validated hypoallergenic and use your patch test results to guide you.

Baby Wipes

Baby wipes seem to be safer with less ingredients overall and a larger selection of unscented options. But there are still several top contact allergens that are frequently found in baby wipes, such as:

• Fruit and flower extracts like chamomile and citruses
• Preservatives like sodium benzoate, ethylhexylglycerin, and phenoxyethanol
• Vitamin E
• Cocamidopropyl betaine, alkyl glucoside

Body, Intimate Hygiene, Shower, and Makeup Removal Wipes

These products tend to contain more top skin allergens. In addition to many of the same ingredients listed above in baby wipes, several also have:

• Fragrance, perfume and related ingredients like benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol
• Other allergenic preservatives like propylene glycol, polyquaternium-10, polyquaternium-51, methylisothiazolinone or MCI/MI (banned in Europe in products that are meant to stay on the skin), and parabens
• Mint or menthol, tea tree oil, eucalyptus, limonene, linalool, geraniol, lavender
• Amido-amines
• Acrylates, which are more of a concern when wet

Antibacterial wipes can have these ingredients plus allergenic antibacterials or strong irritants like bleach or chlorine.

Safer Alternatives

Your best bet is to get a patch test to find out exactly what you need to avoid. Wet wipes are certainly convenient to tote around, especially when on the go, camping, or for air travel. Just because something is a top contact allergen doesn’t mean that it’s one of yours. With your patch test results as a guide, you might find some wipes that you can actually use!

Otherwise, these are some options …

For Baby Wipes

If your baby has very sensitive skin or a condition like atopic dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis (or if you do!), a safer alternative for wipes during nappy changes is simple cotton and pure virgin coconut oil. Oil’s Well has both VCO and monolaurin for more baby-and-microbiome-safe antimicrobial action. Or, cotton and clean water work just fine, too!

Try Kid Gloves or Id Monolaurin Gel for allergen-free, non-drying hand sanitizing.

For Makeup Removal

The same goes for makeup removal: consider Know-It-Oil virgin coconut oil or an allergen-free makeup remover instead of makeup-removing wipes.

For Shower Wipes

Oil’s Well virgin coconut oil (VCO) with monolaurin, Id Monolaurin Gel, and Essence Skin-Saving Stay Fresh-ener Whole Body Deo (Essence Antiperspirant) are great, allergen-&-irritant-free options that actually get you clean (VCO’s molecules bond to dirt very well) and provide microbiome-safe antimicrobial care to reduce body odor.

For Intimate Hygiene

The genitals tend to have more hydration and friction than other skin areas and this can make them more susceptible to irritations and reactions. If you are allergic to an ingredient in your intimate hygiene wipes, the reactions (itching, pain, redness, etc.) can be especially uncomfortable.

Besides potentially causing irritant and allergic reactions, these ingredients can cause or lead to yeast or bacterial infections. For menopausal women, wipes may worsen vaginal dryness leading to more irritation or other problems. Antiseptic or antimicrobial products may contain allergenic antibacterials or seriously disrupt the balance of the healthy microbiome of the area, leading to yeast or other infections.

What to do instead?

• Cleanse the genitals with a mild liquid body wash that’s allergen-free like Clark Wash or Superwash.
• You could also use virgin coconut oil (just be careful when using latex condoms as oils can degrade the material).
• Boo-Boo Balm can help with irritated or itching genital areas but if you do not notice an improvement within 24 hours (or if you notice other abnormal symptoms), consult your dermatologist. Note that Boo-Boo Balm contains both VCO and petrolatum, which can also degrade latex condoms.
• If you’re interested in a whole-body deo, choose one that’s allergen-free like Essence Skin-Saving Stay Fresh-ener (Essence Antiperspirant). Do not spray directly onto the genitals (and certainly not into the inner genital areas) — apply on the buttocks, backs of the thighs, inner thighs, etc. (external skin).
• Launder your underwear with allergen-free products like Superwash.
• Choose cotton underwear — non-stretchy, unchlorinated, unbleached, uncolored, pure organic cotton would be best. Cottonique has options. Avoid nylon and other synthetic materials, which can trap in heat and moisture.
• Don’t stay in sweaty or wet clothes. After swimming or working out, change quickly into dry clothes to prevent infections.

Check out this post for more on vaginal care and feminine washes or wipes.

Subscribe to VMVinSKIN.com and our YouTube channel for more hypoallergenic tips and helpful “skinformation”!

If you have a history of sensitive skin…

…don’t guess! Random trial and error can cause more damage. Ask your dermatologist about a patch test.

To shop our selection of hypoallergenic products, visit vmvhypoallergenics.com. Need help? Ask us in the comments section below, or for more privacy (such as when asking us to customize recommendations for you based on your patch test results) contact us by email, or drop us a private message on Facebook.

For more:

• On the prevalence of skin allergies, see Skin Allergies Are More Common Than Ever. 
• For the difference between irritant and allergic reactions, see It’s Complicated: Allergic Versus Irritant Reaction.
• For the difference between food, skin, and other types of reactions: see Skin & Food Allergies Are Not The Same Thing. 
• On the differences between hypoallergenic, natural, and organic, check out Is Natural Hypoallergenic? and this video in our YouTube channel. 
• To learn about the VH-Rating System and hypoallergenicity: What Is The Validated Hypoallergenic Rating System?

Main References: 

Regularly published reports on the most common allergens by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group and European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (based on over 28,000 patch test results, combined), plus other studies. Remember, we are all individuals — just because an ingredient is not on the most common allergen lists does not mean you cannot be sensitive to it, or that it will not become an allergen. These references, being based on so many patch test results, are a good basis but it is always best to get a patch test yourself.

1. Urban K, Giesey R, et al. A Guide to Informed Skincare: The Meaning of Clean, Natural, Organic, Vegan, and Cruelty-Free. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022 Sep 1;21(9):1012-1013.
2. Cheng HS, Fernández-Peñas P. Allergic Contact Dermatitis of the Anogenital Region in Men and Women. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2020 Apr;24(2):221-224. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000516. PMID: 32097200.
3. Yale K, Awosika O, et al. Genital Allergic Contact Dermatitis. Dermatitis. 2018 May/Jun;29(3):112-119. doi: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000371. PMID: 29698355.
4. Houle M-C, DeKoven JG, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group Patch Test Results: 2021–2022. Dermatitis®. 2025;36(5):464-476. doi:10.1089/derm.2024.0474
5. Urban K, Giesey R, et al. A Guide to Informed Skincare: The Meaning of Clean, Natural, Organic, Vegan, and Cruelty-Free. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022 Sep 1;21(9):1012-1013.
6. DeKoven JG, Warshaw EM, Reeder MJ, Atwater AR, Silverberg JI, Belsito DV, Sasseville D, Zug KA, Taylor JS, Pratt MD, Maibach HI, Fowler JF Jr, Adler BL, Houle MC, Mowad CM, Botto N, Yu J, Dunnick CA. North American Contact Dermatitis Group Patch Test Results: 2019-2020. Dermatitis. 2023 Mar-Apr;34(2):90-104. doi: 10.1089/derm.2022.29017.jdk. Epub 2023 Jan 19. PMID: 36917520.
7. Uter W, Wilkinson SM, Aerts O, Bauer A, Borrego L, Brans R, Buhl T, Dickel H, Dugonik A, Filon FL, Garcìa PM, Giménez-Arnau A, Patruno C, Pesonen M, Pónyai G, Rustemeyer T, Schubert S, Schuttelaar MA, Simon D, Stingeni L, Valiukevičienė S, Weisshaar E, Werfel T, Gonçalo M; ESSCA and EBS ESCD working groups, and the GEIDAC. Patch test results with the European baseline series, 2019/20-Joint European results of the ESSCA and the EBS working groups of the ESCD, and the GEIDAC. Contact Dermatitis. 2022 Oct;87(4):343-355. doi: 10.1111/cod.14170. Epub 2022 Jun 24. PMID: 35678309. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35678309/
8. DeKoven JG, Silverberg JI, Warshaw EM, Atwater AR, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group Patch Test Results: 2017-2018. Dermatitis. 2021 Mar-Apr 01;32(2):111-123.
9. DeKoven JG, Warshaw EM, Zug KA, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group Patch Test Results: 2015-2016. Dermatitis. 2018 Nov/Dec;29(6):297-309.
10. DeKoven JG, Warshaw EM, Belsito DV, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group Patch Test Results 2013-2014. Dermatitis. 2017 Jan/Feb;28(1):33-46.
11. Warshaw, E.M., Maibach, H.I., Taylor, J.S., et al. North American contact dermatitis group patch test results: 2011-2012. Dermatitis. 2015; 26: 49-59.
12. W Uter et al. The European Baseline Series in 10 European Countries, 2005/2006–Results of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA). Contact Dermatitis 61 (1), 31-38.7 2009.
13. Wetter, DA et al. Results of patch testing to personal care product allergens in a standard series and a supplemental cosmetic series: An analysis of 945 patients from the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group, 2000-2007. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010 Nov;63(5):789-98.
14. Warshaw EM, Buonomo M, DeKoven JG, et al. Importance of Supplemental Patch Testing Beyond a Screening Series for Patients With Dermatitis: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience. JAMA Dermatol. 2021 Dec 1;157(12):1456-1465.
15. Verallo-Rowell VM. The validated hypoallergenic cosmetics rating system: its 30-year evolution and effect on the prevalence of cosmetic reactions. Dermatitis 2011 Apr; 22(2):80-97.
16. Ruby Pawankar et al. World Health Organization. White Book on Allergy 2011-2012 Executive Summary.
17. Misery L et al. Sensitive skin in the American population: prevalence, clinical data, and role of the dermatologist. Int J Dermatol. 2011 Aug;50(8):961-7.
18. Warshaw EM1, Maibach HI, Taylor JS, Sasseville D, DeKoven JG, Zirwas MJ, Fransway AF, Mathias CG, Zug KA, DeLeo VA, Fowler JF Jr, Marks JG, Pratt MD, Storrs FJ, Belsito DV. North American contact dermatitis group patch test results: 2011-2012.Dermatitis. 2015 Jan-Feb;26(1):49-59.
19. Warshaw, E et al. Allergic patch test reactions associated with cosmetics: Retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data from the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, 2001-2004. J AmAcadDermatol 2009;60:23-38.
20. Marks JG, Belsito DV, DeLeo VA, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch-test results, 1998 to 2000. Am J Contact Dermat. 2003;14(2):59-62.
21. Warshaw EM, Belsito DV, Taylor JS, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch test results: 2009 to 2010. Dermatitis. 2013;24(2):50-99.
22. Verallo-Rowell V. M, Katalbas S.S. & Pangasinan J. P. Natural (Mineral, Vegetable, Coconut, Essential) Oils and Contact Dermatitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 16,51 (2016) . https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-016-0630-9.
23. de Groot AC. Monographs in Contact Allergy, Volume II – Fragrances and Essential Oils. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group; 2019.
24. De Groot AC. Monographs in Contact Allergy Volume I. Non-Fragrance Allergens in Cosmetics (Part I and Part 2). Boca Raton, Fl, USA: CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, 2018.
25. Zhu TH, Suresh R, Warshaw E, et al. The Medical Necessity of Comprehensive Patch Testing. Dermatitis. 2018 May/Jun;29(3):107-111.

Want more great information on contact dermatitis? Check out the American Contact Dermatitis Society, Dermnet New Zealand, the Contact Dermatitis Institute, and your country’s contact dermatitis association.

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