Contact allergy to cosmetics: causative ingredients

Of 1781 patients with contact dermatitis seen during a period of 6 years (1981–1986), 75(4.2%) had allergy to cosmetic products. The face was most frequently affected. In many cases, the dermatitis was limited to the eyelids (18.7%) or the face (40.0%). skin care products (moisturizing and cleansing cream/lotion/milk/) and deodorants (6.8%). The ingredients most often responsible were fragrances (45.1%), followed by the preservative Kathon® CG (11.0%) and the emulsifier oleamidopropyl dimethylqamine (9.8%). In 14 patients (18.7%), patch tests with the responsible cosmetic product tests, Compulsory declaration of ingredients on cosmetic product labels in the EEC, analogous to the USA situation, would be of great benefit both to patients and to physicians. Copyright © 1987, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved