DANDRUFF SHAMPOO: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Dandruff Shampoo There are many ingredients in typical dandruff shampoos that could be causing your scalp issues … even the “dandruff” itself. Why? A dry, flaking, itching scalp can be many things, such as seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, or an overgrowth of the Malassezia fungus (normally a harmless part of our skin’s microbiome) due to […]
CACAO, COCOA: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen … but can cause allergic reactions Cacao, Cocoa It’s unlikely to see cacao (the raw, unprocessed version of cocoa), cocoa, or chocolate in a patch test tray and while there are case reports of allergic or systemic contact dermatitis to these substances, they are still relatively rare. The risk can be higher if […]
Living with Psoriasis: Daily Habits That Make a Difference
When you’re newly diagnosed with psoriasis, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by medical jargon, treatment options, and the unpredictability of flare ups. However, beyond the prescriptions and dermatology visits, there’s another layer to managing your psoriasis — and it’s one that you control. Your Daily Habits! What might seem like small choices in your everyday […]
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 […]