Two cases of facial dermatitis due to chlorphenesin in cosmetics

Occurrence of Allergens in Cosmetics for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is characterized by symptoms such as stinging and tingling in response to stimuli that usually do not cause unpleasant sensations. Epidemiological studies show that individuals with sensitive skin are more prone to developing skin allergies, although the link between both conditions is unknown. Aiming to evaluate the presence of allergens in facial-skin products for sensitive skin, a pool of 88 cosmetic products from international brands marketed in pharmacies and parapharmacies was analyzed. A list of allergens identified in product labels was compiled and grouped according to their function. Fragrances were the most common allergens, followed by skin-conditioning agents, surfactants, and preservatives. Fragrances presenting the highest use percentages were linalool, benzyl alcohol, geraniol, and citronellol. Overall, the majority of cosmetic formulations were absent of fragrance allergens, being present only in 7% of products. Other allergens were found in most products (95%). This finding should be interpreted with caution, since many of these compounds are rare sensitizers and studies demonstrating their risk for individuals with sensitive skin are lacking. With this study, useful information for health professionals is provided to support their advice and to help consumers choosing cosmetic products.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis Secondary to Moisturizers

Background: Moisturizers are cosmetic products used routinely to manage various skin conditions. Even though moisturizers are often thought to have minimal or no adverse reactions, allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to these products can develop in some cases. Methods: We studied ingredients included in 3 of the most commonly used moisturizer brands, identified their presence in standard patch testing series, and evaluated their allergenic potential, categorizing the allergens as frequent or infrequent. The standard patch testing series used as reference were the Thin-layer Rapid Use Epicutaneous patch test (T.R.U.E. test), the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) screening standard series, and the American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) core allergen series. Results: Aveeno, Cetaphil, and Cerave products had a total of 12, 14, and 9 potential allergens, respectively, the majority of which were infrequent and not included in standard patch testing series. Conclusion: Being aware of the allergenic potential of commonly used moisturizers may help healthcare providers when evaluating patients with ACD. Further testing is recommended in a targeted manner when suspecting ACD with negative standard patch testing series or when ACD is refractory to treatment.

Safety Assessment of Chlorphenesin as Used in Cosmetics

Chlorphenesin functions as a biocide in cosmetics and is used at concentrations up to 0.32% in rinse-off products and up to 0.3% in leave-on products. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (Panel) noted that chlorphenesin was well absorbed when applied to the skin of rats; however, any safety concern was minimized because available data demonstrated an absence of toxicity. The Panel concluded that chlorphenesin is safe in the present practices of use and concentration.

β-galactosidase-catalyzed synthesis of galactosyl chlorphenesin and its characterization

We synthesized galactosyl chlorphenesin (CPN-G) using β-gal-containing Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells in which the conversion yield of chlorphenesin (CPN) to CPN-G reached about 64 % during 12 h. CPN-G was identified and characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, Fourier transform-infrared spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis ((1)H and (13)C). We verified that a galactose was covalently bound to a CPN alcohol group during CPN-G synthesis throughout these analyses. In particular, by the hydrolysis of CPN-G using β-gal, it was confirmed that a galactose was bound to CPN. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) results showed that the CPN-G MICs were fairly similar to those of CPN. HACAT cell viability was significantly higher in CPN-G-treated cells than in CPN-treated cells at concentrations of 0.0-20.0 mM. Finally, we accomplished the synthesis of less toxic CPN-G, compared with CPN, using β-gal-containing E. coli cells as whole cells without changes in the MICs against microorganisms.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Cosmetics

Cosmetics are used to enhance one's appearance and are used by women worldwide. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical features, and management of cosmetic allergic contact dermatitis. Additionally, several important cosmetic-related allergens are discussed.