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 […]

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 […]

LINALOOL: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Linalool This natural fragrance, like limonene, is an allergen on its own, becomes a more potent allergen with oxidation, and is a component of other fragrances. Linalool is found in citruses (lemon, lime, orange) and can be extracted from trees like birch, herbs and spices (lavender, mint, coriander, cinnamon), and over 200 other plants. […]

ESSENTIAL OILS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Essential Oils These popular, delicious smelling oils are extracted from plants (the first red flag) and have been used for centuries as perfumes or components in perfumes (another red flag). The most popular essential oils — cardamom, cinnamon, citronella, clove, eucalyptus, geranium, jasmine, lavender, lemon, mint, orange, rose, sandalwood, tea tree oil, ylang-ylang (and […]

POTASSIUM DICHROMATE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Potassium Dichromate Yet another top contact allergen that is totally natural — it is a common metal in the earth’s crust and found in loam, clay, ash, soil, water, and sand — potassium dichromate (chromate or chromium salt) can be difficult to avoid. It is found in … If you have a history of sensitive […]

VANILLA: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Vanilla This yummy, ancient spice (it was used by the Aztecs) is part of the Orchidaceae family. It can be found in lots of skincare and perfumes, in everything from essential oils to flavored toothpaste, lip balm, shampoo, conditioner, aromatherapy, skin cream, makeup, baby products, and more. The top contact allergen Balsam of Peru […]