Monographs of Chemicals and Substances in Cosmetics that have Caused Photosensitivity

Photosensitivity reactions include photocontact allergy (causing photoallergic contact dermatitis), phototoxicity (causing phototoxic dermatitis) and combined photocontact allergy and contact allergy, causing photoaggravated allergic contact dermatitis. Because it can easily be avoided, phototoxicity is rare and has been caused by a few chemicals which may be present in cosmetics only, such as formaldehyde, isobutyl PABA and pentyl dimethyl PABA. Most photosensitivity reactions from chemicals that may be used in cosmetics are photocontact allergic.