SHEA BUTTER: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen … but Shea Butter This wonderful moisturizer is not listed on top contact allergen lists. But because it is extracted from the nut of the shea tree (which can have natural latex), if you’ve patch tested positive for latex, consult with your dermatologist before using shea butter. Another possible concern is that […]

QUATERNIUM-15: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Quaternium-15 Ever present in standard patch test trays, this popular preservative is a top contact allergen and related to another: formaldehyde (which was the American Contact Dermatitis Society’s Allergen of the Year in 2015). This means that if you’ve patch tested positive to quaternium-15 you should also avoid other formaldehyde-releasing ingredients such as: Quaternium-15 […]

FLOWER EXTRACTS, FLOWERS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Flower Extracts, Flowers Perhaps not all flowers are top contact allergens (butterfly pea flower is an exception, for example) but there are so many that it is prudent to classify them as allergens and best practice to avoid them and their extracts if you have sensitive skin. Many types of reactions Many flowers don’t […]

LED LIGHT THERAPY: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen LED Light Therapy The jury is still out on efficacy and long-term effects but LED light therapy (more correctly called photobiomodulation or PBM) is not a top contact allergen. Should you go out and get a PBM therapy mask or wand? We’d recommend speaking to your dermatologist first. A certain level of […]

SULFITES (not sulfAtes): Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Sulfites (not sulfAtes) Chosen by the American Contact Dermatitis Society as Allergen of the Year in 2024, no less! SulfItes are not SulfAtes First, an important clarification: sulfItes and sulfAtes are different. The simplest distinction is that while sulfates are basically bubble producers and not allergens (but can be irritants, especially at high concentrations), […]

POTASSIUM AZELOYL DIGLYCINATE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate This derivative of the clinically-proven active ingredient azeleic acid mixed with the amino acid glycine is very well tolerated by skin and has several benefits. Potassium azeloyl diglycinate (PAD) is a powerful, steroid-free anti-inflammatory that can help soothe hyper-reactive, red skin. It can also help reduce cathelicidins. Some research […]

COCONUT FROND (LEAVES): Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Coconut Frond (Leaves) Somewhat surprising because so many plants are contact allergens — only somewhat, however, because coconut and pure virgin coconut oil are not top skin allergens either. If you have prick, scratch or RAST tested positive to coconut as a food, get a skin patch test as well. But because […]

BANDAGES, MEDICAL TAPES, WOUND DRESSINGS, TRANSDERMAL PATCHES: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Bandages, Medical Tapes, Wound Dressings, Transdermal Patches So many bandages, plasters, medical tapes, dressings and medical devices contain or are made of top contact allergens. BUT they can be very important for your healing and health: do not avoid them or stop using them without your health practitioner’s guidance. Important: not all skin reactions […]

COLOPHONY (ROSIN): Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Colophony (Rosin) This top skin allergen comes from the sap of pine, spruce, and other coniferous trees (a residue of the distillation of turpentine). Its stickiness is so useful that it can be difficult to avoid. Where Colophony tends to be present: What else to watch out for: Colophony/rosin in other names like abietic […]