GLYCERIN: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Glycerin The classic humectant glycerin (also called glycerol) is naturally occurring and can come from animal or plant fats (the glycerin VMV Hypoallergenics uses is plant derived, usually from coconut oil) and it is not published as a top contact allergen. That it is not a contact allergen is especially impressive considering […]

HOTEL, GYM, SPA, AIRLINE AMENITIES: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Hotel, Gym, Spa, Airline Amenities You wouldn’t see these items in a patch test tray as such, but so many product amenities given to customers for free (or provided for their use) in hotels, gyms, spas, and airlines are not hypoallergenic and tend to contain lots of top contact allergens. Some popular amenities include […]

BUDESONIDE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Budesonide Published as a top contact allergen, this glucocorticoid steroid is important to use when prescribed and should not be stopped without first discussing options with your doctor. Budesonide is frequently used as a topical steroid for skin and by inhalation for the management of asthma, non-infectious rhinitis such as hay fever and other […]

COCAMIDE DEA : Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Cocamide DEA The irony. This popular emulsifier and foamer is frequently boasted about as a safer alternative to sulfates, when sulfates like SLS and SLES are non allergens (some can be irritants, highly dependent on concentration) and cocamide DEA is published as a top contact allergen. Another misconception is the belief that the coconut […]

TITANIUM DIOXIDE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Titanium Dioxide Some allergic reactions have been reported to titanium but not on the skin (more on that below) and titanium dioxide is not listed as a top contact allergen. In fact, both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are popular recommendations for people who have sunscreen allergy. And both are excellent, broad-spectrum […]

FRUIT EXTRACTS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Fruit Extracts Not all fruits — mostly mangoes (due to the cardol, urushiol and limonene in the fruit’s skin and tree’s leaves and bark) and citruses. But there are enough of them that if you see “fruit extract” on a product label and the fruit is not specified in the ingredients list, it’s best […]

SHEA BUTTER: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen … but Shea Butter This wonderful moisturizer is not listed on top contact allergen lists. But because it is extracted from the nut of the shea tree (which can have natural latex), if you’ve patch tested positive for latex, consult with your dermatologist before using shea butter. Another possible concern is that […]

QUATERNIUM-15: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Quaternium-15 Ever present in standard patch test trays, this popular preservative is a top contact allergen and related to another: formaldehyde (which was the American Contact Dermatitis Society’s Allergen of the Year in 2015). This means that if you’ve patch tested positive to quaternium-15 you should also avoid other formaldehyde-releasing ingredients such as: Quaternium-15 […]

FLOWER EXTRACTS, FLOWERS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Flower Extracts, Flowers Perhaps not all flowers are top contact allergens (butterfly pea flower is an exception, for example) but there are so many that it is prudent to classify them as allergens and best practice to avoid them and their extracts if you have sensitive skin. Many types of reactions Many flowers don’t […]