BENZYL ALCOHOL: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen A common misconception is that anything “alcohol” is bad for the skin but there are lots of alcohols (which is just a molecular categorization; many waxes and oils are alcohols) that are actually good for the skin. This isn’t one of them. Benzyl alcohol is related to fragrance but can be found in several […]
Is Aluminum Chlorohydrate Safe in Skincare?
We take great care in selecting our ingredients, with hypoallergenicity and efficacy being our primary filters. Aluminum chlorohydrate is generally well tolerated in skincare. Aluminum Chlorohydrate and Skin Safety Aluminum salts are widely used in deodorants and antiperspirant preparations. Allergic sensitivity to aluminum chlorohydrate is very rare considering the extent of exposure from antiperspirants. In […]
ANXIETY: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen … But Quite Bad for Skin Anxiety If anxiety could be put in a patch test, we bet it would make the top of published allergen lists quickly — it’s quite common (the World Health Organization calls “anxiety disorders … the world’s most common mental disorders”) and triggers lots and lots of […]
WILD YAM: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Wild Yam Perhaps because Dioscorea villosa is still relatively new in skincare, it is not a top contact allergen (the more common an ingredient is, the higher the risk of it becoming a contact allergen). It also does not yet have many clinical studies to validate its claims. Wild yam contains a […]
ESTROGEN: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Estrogen This sex hormone is produced by our bodies and plays an important role in human reproductive systems. It can also be taken orally, via transdermal patch, gel, spray, cream, or injection. While there is a condition called estrogen dermatitis and some case reports of systemic contact dermatitis to orally taken estrogen, […]
BRACES, RETAINERS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Braces, Retainers Nickel in the metals is normally the top culprit (it has also consistently ranked number one in published lists of top contact allergens for decades and was the American Contact Dermatitis Society’s Allergen of the Year in 2008). But there are other materials to look out for like glues, acrylics, and latex […]
SESQUITERPENE LACTONE, TERPENES: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Sesquiterpene lactone (STL), Terpenes “Terpenes” is the broader term for the compounds responsible for the odor of most plants (they’re the primary constituents of essential oils, so many of which are top contact allergens). Sesquiterpene lactones are a class of terpenes and are standard inclusions in patch test trays. Contact dermatitis to these substances […]
CLOTHES: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Clothes, Textiles No, not all clothes, but yes, enough clothes have top published contact allergens in them for us to call the category an allergen. If you’re noticing dryness, darkening, itching, redness, or other skin issues on areas that come into contact with your clothing — from underwear areas to your knees, elbows, abdomen, […]
PEN, MARKER: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Pens and Markers Many pens and markers have top contact allergens to look out for. This doesn’t mean you can’t write with any of them but it does mean that if you have sensitive skin, there’s some stuff to look out for (and as always, be guided by your patch test!) Top contact allergens […]