Natural ingredients in cosmetic products—A suggestion for a screening series for skin allergy

Abstract

Background Naturally derived cosmetic product ingredients of both plant and animal origin are being included increasingly in product formulations in order to cater to consumer preferences. They may be an overlooked cause of reactions to cosmetic products in some patients with dermatitis. Objectives To identify naturally derived cosmetic product ingredients with allergenic potential (type I and type IV) and propose a cosmetic screening test series. Methods The study was conducted in two steps. The first step was a market survey using a nonprofit application helping consumers avoid problematic substances in cosmetic products. The application contained 10 067 cosmetic products that were label checked for naturally derived cosmetic product ingredients. The second step was a literature search to examine how frequently the naturally derived ingredients were described and related to allergic reactions in cosmetics or other topically administered products. Results We identified 121 different naturally derived cosmetic product ingredients that were included in at least 30 cosmetic products. In total, 22 ingredients were selected for a screening test series. Conclusions We propose a supplemental patch test and a prick test screening series with naturally derived cosmetic product ingredients for patients with skin reactions to cosmetic products, aiming to identify a cause in more patients than is currently possible.

Facial contact dermatitis caused by cosmetic‐relevant allergens

“…Ten natural allergens commonly used in cosmetic products and described in the literature with a potential to cause immediate‐type allergy were used for skin prick testing 9 . These included cera alba, cera flava, milk, oat, peach, peanut, potato, propolis, soybean and wheat.…”

“…Rarely, natural ingredients in cosmetic applications have also been described to cause severe immediate-type reactions. 9 Of all plant proteins commonly used in cosmetic products, wheat is probably the most well-known cause of nonsevere and severe immediate-type allergic reactions caused by percutaneous exposure. Since 2009, more than 2000 cases of hydrolysed wheat-induced allergic reactions following percutaneous exposure from use of a former popular facial soap with hydrolysed wheat gluten have been described.…”

Sustainable Processing of Floral Bio-Residues of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) for Valuable Biorefinery Products

“…The drying technique has always been widely used in the herbs sector to stabilize and preserve plant material, and in particular flowers, which have high perishability due to the elevated moisture content [ 31 ]. The drying treatment can preserve tepals until their possible use in food or pharmacological-cosmetic industries, for example in the preparation of soaps and cosmetic products where they can act as antioxidants or colorants in place of synthetic excipients, meeting the demand of the cosmetic sector to use products of natural origin [ 70 ].…”

Zooceuticals and Cosmetic Ingredients Derived from Animals

“…Propolis and beeswax are substances that cause frequent allergic reactions (allergic contact dermatitis) and are therefore considered allergens [30,31].…”

“…Some examples are goat feces, dog feces, rat feces, pig brain, ram's fat, chicken feather juice, turtle blood and oil, and toad blood [11]. Furthermore, some ingredients, such as milk (cow, horse, donkey), milk proteins, casein, milk derivatives, and the aforementioned lanolin, can cause dermatitis or allergies in sensitive and predisposed subjects [30].…”