CHAMOMILE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Chamomile Its dried leaves make the beloved herbal tea, but chamomile belongs to the Asteraceae (compositae) family of plants, which includes arnica and chrysanthemum, and which is a top contact allergen. The nobilin in sweet chamomile and desacetylmatricarin in German chamomile are sequiterpenes, also top published contact allergens. Food and skin allergies aren’t straightforward, so work with your dermatologist if […]

PARABEN MIX: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Paraben Mix Paraben Mix is on published lists of common contact allergens, and includes Benzyl-, Butyl-, Ethyl-, Methyl-, and Propyl Paraben. As far as hypoallergenicity is concerned, if you have sensitive skin (and certainly if you have patch tested positive for them), it’s best to steer clear of parabens. Other health scares are less straightforward. A 2004 […]

DEAD SEA/DEAD SEA SALT & MUD: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Dead Sea/Dead Sea Salt & Mud Salt is not on published lists of common allergens and — when pure, unbleached, unprocessed, and without other allergens in a formulation — can be a yummy surface-exfoliating scrub for your skin. The Dead Sea, the saltiest and deepest lake on earth, is a popular tourist destination in […]

KITTY (Cats): Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Kitty I have super sensitive skin, with lots of positive reactions on my patch test. This means owning a cat is definitely out of the question, right? Maybe…but maybe not. Cats do produce allergens, most commonly in their sebaceous glands and saliva (which is then transferred onto its dander during grooming) but these […]

ORANGE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Orange Delicious and packed with awesome vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber, this fruit fave should definitely be in your diet unless you patch test positive for it. Many citruses, like lemon and lime, are common contact allergens. One allergen in citrus is d-limonene, which is the main component of the peel of all edible citrus […]

ISOBORNYL ACRYLATE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Isobornyl acrylate Acrylates have been creeping up contact allergen lists, and several regularly appear on published lists of common contact allergens. While not on standard patch test trays, there have been enough case studies reported on allergies to Isobornyl acrylate to make it 2019’s Allergen of the Year of the American Contact Dermatitis Society. Some general notes on […]

PROPYLENE GLYCOL: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Propylene Glycol Propylene glycol is the American Contact Dermatitis Society‘s Allergen of the Year for 2018. It causes contact dermatitis and also systemic contact dermatitis, meaning if you have a skin allergy to propylene glycol, it may also cause a reaction if you inhale it or are exposed to it orally, in an injection, or through the […]

ARGAN OIL: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Argan Oil There are published case studies of allergic contact dermatitis caused by argan oil but it is not yet on published lists of common allergens. This means that you should be able to enjoy this emollient. It may not have the clinical studies that virgin coconut oil does (check out this post comparing […]

SALICYLIC ACID: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Salicylic Acid This popular, well-studied keratolytic and micro-exfoliant is the only BHA (Beta-Hydroxy Acid) used in skin, and it is a staple, from acne to various scaly skin conditions. In acne, blackheads, and whiteheads, it works by deep-cleaning the follicles’ inner walls to prevent clogging. It also softens keratin, loosening scaly skin, […]