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GLASS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen. Glass is inert, very chemically stable, and does not react with other substances or absorb them…making glass a great option as a packaging material for formulations with active ingredients (the formulation stays stable and does not leech into the packaging) and for those with skin sensitivities. If you think you might have contact dermatitis, ask […]
BENZYL ALCOHOL: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen. This sneaky ingredient is related to fragrance but can be found in more than a few unscented and hypoallergenic shampoos, soaps, cleansers and more. If you think you might have contact dermatitis, ask your dermatologist for a patch test. References: Regularly published reports on the most common allergens by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group and European Surveillance System […]
BAKING SODA: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen. Baking soda is another classic favorite of many dermatologists for its versatility and non-allergenicity. It’s a great option, for example, for household cleaning products (alone or with vinegar). If you think you might have contact dermatitis, ask your dermatologist for a patch test. References: Regularly published reports on the most common allergens by the North […]
TURMERIC: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen. Maybe. Turmeric — in its natural and organic state, not processed with allergens or processed into a flavor extract — is an excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant…and is not a common allergen. Or at least, it hasn’t yet made it onto the published common allergen lists. That said, there have been a small number […]
MANGO: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen. Mango, even when completely natural, fresh and organic, is a common allergen. The oil on its rind, leaves, and bark are similar to poison ivy and related plants. People allergic to it find that eating or just handling mangoes can cause a rash on the hands, lips, and around the mouth. Extracts added to skincare […]
MINT: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen. Mint, even when fresh and organic, is on the common allergens lists. But just because it’s a common allergen doesn’t mean you’re allergic to it. If you’re not sure, or if you think you might have contact dermatitis, ask your dermatologist for a patch test. References: Regularly published reports on the most common allergens by the North […]
ELASTICS IN UNDERWEAR/SOCKS/CLOTHING: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen. Clothing contact dermatitis can occur due to several allergens, including dyes and mordants (chemicals related to metals that are present in some fabrics to help colorants bind better)…and elastics. Dryness, redness, itching, darkening on the waistline from underwear elastics is very common, as are skin problems under the bra area and on the ankles […]
PETROLATUM, PETROLEUM JELLY: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen. While some people prefer not to use petroleum jelly for various reasons, it is very safe on the skin and a standard among dermatologists, especially for occlusive care of barrier-damaged skin or to protect skin and scalps from contact with possible irritants. Petrolatum is also not on published lists of the most common […]
GREEN TEA: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen. This is a bit of a tricky one because, for categorization, many patch test results lump green tea in with “botanicals” and all botanicals are listed as optional cross-reactors to fragrance. Green tea has no reports of cross reaction with fragrance. What many doctors do is manually remove green tea from the list. […]
