CHEWING GUM, BUBBLE GUM: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Chewing Gum, Bubble Gum While you might not be touching gum a lot, there are frequently several ingredients that are top contact allergens in popular chewing and bubble gums. As with toothpaste and eating utensils, the contact can be enough to cause perioral dermatitis, contact dermatitis, irritations, and other skin concerns. Some top contact […]

INDIGO: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Indigo While disperse blue and many dyes are well known to cause contact dermatitis, and while some allergic reactions to it have been reported, natural indigo is not currently in published lists of top contact allergens. Indigo is also known as Indigo Carmine, Indigotine, and FD&C Blue No. 2. Another important thing […]

GLYCERYL STEARATE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Glyceryl Stearate Considering how common this ingredient is in cosmetics and personal care products, that it is not published as a top contact allergen speaks to its safety (the more common an ingredient is, the higher the likelihood of it becoming a contact allergen). Glyceryl stearate is from two other non-allergens glycerin […]

FACE TAPE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Face Tape Whether you’re face taping for the temporary face lift effect (very temporary) or for the style of it (it’s a classic technique among drag performers and celebrities), face tapes tend to have contact allergens that are published as some of the more common. Silicones tend to be fairly well tolerated but, as […]

TRIETHANOLAMINE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Triethanolamine This pH adjuster (a combination of monoethanolamine and diethanolamine) does tend to be in patch test trays and has been known to occasionally elicit allergic reactions but not enough to make it to published lists of top contact allergens. As usual, be guided by your patch test results as your reaction […]

TOLUENE-2, 5-DIAMENE SULFATE (PTDS): Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Toluene-2,5 Diamene Sulfate (PTDS) This hair dye is sometimes used as an alternative to highly allergenic dye (paraphenylenediamine or PPD) but is, itself, also a top contact allergen. It has the dubious honor of being named Allergen of the Year for 2025 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. It’s also a colorant in other […]

CORN OIL: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Corn Oil Both corn and corn oil are not published as a top contact allergens. Skin reactions are uncommon enough so that neither is a standard inclusion in patch test trays. Some brands use corn oil as an ingredient for dry or sensitive skin. But virgin coconut oil — due to many […]

SODIUM PHYTATE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Sodium Phytate This skin-safe synthetic salt form of the antioxidant phytic acid is derived from rice and oat bran is not in published lists of top contact allergens. In skincare, it is used as an antioxidant, as a booster for other actives, a hydrator, and as a chelating agent. When using products […]

ACNE PATCH, PIMPLE STICKER: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Acne Patch, Pimple Patch Also called hydrocolloid patches for pimples, the hydrocolloid part is actually pretty well tolerated. It’s the other materials of the patch that have some top contact allergens, many of which are similar concerns in bandages, medical tapes, dressings, transdermal patches and continuous glucose monitors. This does not mean you should […]