ABSTRACT
The most important sensitizing culprits in cosmetics, including skin care products, are perfume components, preservative agents, and also certainly excipients and emulsifiers.1,2 Perfume components have been attracting more attention recently since reactions to them seem to be increasing over the years, and the literature indicates that routine patch testing of markers in addition to the fragrance mix is required to detect fragrance allergy. With preservatives, important shifts in allergenicity have occurred over the years, and their spectrum varies considerably from country to country. With regard to excipients and emulsifiers, many reports have recently appeared in the literature on both moisturizing preparations — also those intended for “sensitive skin” — and lip-care products. Among the other potential cosmetic sensitizers are antioxidants, natural ingredients, such as herbal extracts and vitamins, and also sunscreens, which are nowadays often being added to skin-care products and are responsible mainly for photoallergic contact dermatitis.
