Allergic contact dermatitis commonly occurs on the face. Facial cleansing wipes may be an underrecognized source of allergens.
Objective
The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of potentially allergenic ingredients in facial wet wipes.
Methods
Ingredient lists from name brand and generic facial wipes from 4 large retailers were analyzed.
Results
In the 178 facial wipes examined, a total of 485 ingredients were identified (average, 16.7 ingredients per wipe). Excluding botanicals, the top 15 potentially allergenic ingredients were glycerin (64.0%), fragrance (63.5%), phenoxyethanol (53.9%), citric acid (51.1%), disodium EDTA (44.4%), sorbic acid derivatives (39.3%), tocopherol derivatives (38.8%), polyethylene glycol derivatives (32.6%), glyceryl stearate (31.5%), sodium citrate (29.8%), glucosides (27.5%), cetearyl alcohol (25.8%), propylene glycol (25.3%), sodium benzoate (24.2%), and ceteareth-20 (23.6%)/parabens (23.6%). Of note, methylisothiazolinone (2.2%) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (1.1%) were uncommon. The top potential allergens of botanical origin included Aloe barbadensis (41.0%), chamomile extracts (27.0%), tea extracts (21.3%), Cucumis sativus (20.2%), and Hamamelis virginiana (10.7%).
Conclusions
Many potential allergens are present in facial wet wipes, including fragrances, preservatives, botanicals, glucosides, and propylene glycol.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
DeKovenJG, WarshawEM, BelsitoDV, et al.North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch test results: 2013–2014. Dermatitis, 2017; 28(1):33–46.
2.
KasemsarnP, IamphonratT, BoonchaiW. Risk factors and common contact allergens in facial allergic contact dermatitis patients. Int J Dermatol, 2016; 55:417–424.
WarshawEM, AschenbeckKA, ZugKA, et al.Wet wipe allergens: retrospective cross-sectional analysis of North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) data from 2011–2014. Dermatitis, 2017; 28(1):64–69.
5.
BoyapatiA, TamM, TateB, et al.Allergic contact dermatitis to methylisothiazolinone: exposure from baby wipes causing hand dermatitis. Australas J Dermatol, 2013; 54:264–267.
6.
NatkunarajahJ, OsborneV, HoldenC. Allergic contact dermatitis to iodopropynyl butylcarbamate found in a cosmetic cleansing wipe. Contact Dermatitis, 2008; 58:316–317.
7.
FieldsKS, NelsonT, PowellD. Contact dermatitis caused by baby wipes. J Am Acad Dermatol, 2006; 54:S230–S232.
8.
de GrootAC, BaarTJ, TerpstraH, et al.Contact allergy to moist toilet paper. Contact Dermatitis, 1991; 24:135–136.
9.
MinetA, EggersS, et al.Allergic contact dermatitis from Kathon CG in moist toilet paper. Contact Dermatitis, 1989; 21:107–108.
10.
YuJ, TreatJ, ChaneyK, et al.Potential allergens in disposable diaper wipes, topical diaper preparations, and disposable diapers: under-recognized etiology of pediatric perineal dermatitis. Dermatitis, 2016; 27:110–118.
WarshawEM, MaibachHI, TaylorJS, et al.North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch test results: 2011–2012. Dermatitis, 2015; 26:49–59.
13.
WarshawEM, BelsitoDV, TaylorJS, et al.North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch test results: 2009 to 2010. Dermatitis, 2013; 24:50–59.
14.
FranswayAF, ZugKA, BelsitoDV, et al.North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch test results for 2007–2008. Dermatitis, 2013; 24:10–21.
15.
ZugKA, WarshawEM, FowlerJFJr, et al.Patch-test results of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group 2005–2006. Dermatitis, 2009; 20:149–160.
16.
WetterDA, YianniasJA, PrakashAV, et al.Results of patch testing to personal care product allergens in a standard series and a supplemental cosmetic series: an analysis of 945 patients from the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group, 2000–2007. J Am Acad Dermatol, 2010; 63:789–798.
17.
WetterDA, DavisMD, YianniasJA, et al.Patch test results from the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group, 1998–2000. J Am Acad Dermatol, 2005; 53:416–421.
18.
GuinJD, KincannonJ, ChurchFL. Baby-wipe dermatitis: preservative-induced hand eczema in parents and persons using moist towelettes. Am J Contact Dermat, 2001; 12:189–192.
19.
NelsonSA, YianniasJA. Relevance and avoidance of skin-care product allergens: pearls and pitfalls. Dermatol Clin, 2009; 27:329–336, vii.
20.
NaldiL. The epidemiology of fragrance allergy: questions and needs. Dermatology, 2002; 205:89–97.
21.
de GrootAC. Clinical relevance of positive patch test reactions to preservatives and fragrances. Contact Dermatitis, 1999; 41:224–227.
22.
GalloR, MarroI, SorbaraS. Contact allergy from phenoxyethanol in Fitostimoline gauzes. Contact Dermatitis, 2005; 53:241.
23.
GeierJ, LessmannH, DickelH, et al.Patch test results with the metalworking fluid series of the German Contact Dermatitis Research Group (DKG). Contact Dermatitis, 2004; 51:118–130.
24.
LovellCR, WhiteIR, BoyleJ. Contact dermatitis from phenoxyethanol in aqueous cream BP. Contact Dermatitis, 1984; 11:187.
25.
HausenBM. The sensitizing potency of Euxyl K 400 and its components 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane and 2-phenoxyethanol. Contact Dermatitis, 1993; 28:149–153.
GijbelsD, TimmermansA, SerranoP, et al.Allergic contact dermatitis caused by alkyl glucosides. Contact Dermatitis, 2014; 70(3):175–182.
30.
PereiraN, CoutinhoI, AndradeP, et al.The UV filter tinosorb M, containing decyl glucoside, is a frequent cause of allergic contact dermatitis. Dermatitis, 2013; 24(1):41–43.
31.
Hartmann-BoyceJ, McRobbieH, BullenC, et al.Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2016; 9:CD010216.
32.
CashmanAL, WarshawEM. Parabens: a review of epidemiology, structure, allergenicity, and hormonal properties. Dermatitis, 2005; 16(2):57–66; quiz 55–56.
33.
RoutledgeEJ, ParkerJ, OdumJ, et al.Some alkyl hydroxy benzoate preservatives (parabens) are estrogenic. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 1998; 153:12–19.
34.
OishiS. Effects of propyl paraben on the male reproductive system. Food Chem Toxicol, 2002; 40:1807–1813.
35.
OkuboT, YokoyamaY, KanoK, et al.ER-dependent estrogenic activity of parabens assessed by proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and expression of ERalpha and PR. Food Chem Toxicol, 2001; 39(12):1225–1232.
SchöllnastR, KränkeB, AbererW. Anal and palmar contact dermatitis caused by iodopropynyl butylcarbamate in moist sanitary wipes. Hautarzt, 2003; 54:970–974.
38.
WarshawEM, Boralessa RatnayakeD, MaibachHI, et al.Positive patch-test reactions to iodopropynyl butylcarbamate: retrospective analysis of North American Contact Dermatitis Group data, from 1998 to 2008. Dermatitis, 2010; 21:303–310.
39.
RietschelRL, WarshawEM, SassevilleD, et al.Sensitivity of petrolatum and aqueous vehicles for detecting allergy to imidazolidinylurea, diazolidinylurea, and DMDM hydantoin: a retrospective analysis from the North American Contact Dermatitis Group. Dermatitis, 2007; 18(3):155–162.
40.
de GrootAC, WhiteIR, FlyvholmMA, et al.Formaldehyde-releasers in cosmetics: relationship to formaldehyde contact allergy. Part 1. Characterization, frequency and relevance of sensitization, and frequency of use in cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis, 2010; 62(1):2–17.
41.
MuttardiK, WhiteIR, BanerjeeP. The burden of allergic contact dermatitis caused by acrylates. Contact Dermatitis, 2016; 75:180–184.
42.
SassevilleD. Acrylates in contact dermatitis. Dermatitis, 2012; 23:6–16.
43.
AdmaniS, MatizC, JacobSE. Methylisothiazolinone: a case of perianal dermatitis caused by wet wipes and review of an emerging pediatric allergen. Pediatr Dermatol, 2014; 31:350–352.
44.
ChangMW, NakraniR. Six children with allergic contact dermatitis to methylisothiazolinone in wet wipes (baby wipes). Pediatrics, 2014; 133:e434–e438.
GuimaraensD, Condé-SalazarL, GonzalezMA. Allergic contact dermatitis on the hands from chloromethylisothiazolinone in moist toilet paper. Contact Dermatitis, 1996; 35:254.
47.
ReiderN, IssaA, HawranekT, et al. Absence of contact sensitization to Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. Contact Dermatitis, 2005; 53:332–334.
48.
FerreiraM, TeixeiraM, SilvaE, et al.Allergic contact dermatitis to Aloe vera. Contact Dermatitis, 2007; 57:278–279.
49.
ReuterJ, MerfortI, SchemppCM. Botanicals in dermatology: an evidence-based review. Am J Clin Dermatol, 2010; 11:247–267.
50.
Patzelt-WenczlerR, Ponce-PoschlE. Proof of efficacy of Kamillosan(R) cream in atopic eczema. Eur J Med Res, 2000; 5:171–175.
51.
PaulsenE. Contact sensitization from Compositae-containing herbal remedies and cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis, 2002; 47:189–198.
52.
LeeAH, SuD, PasalichM, et al.Tea consumption reduces ovarian cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol, 2013; 37(1):54–59.
53.
ZhangM, BinnsCW, LeeAH. Tea consumption and ovarian cancer risk: a case-control study in China. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 2002; 11:713–718.
54.
IsbruckerRA, EdwardsJA, WolzE, et al.Safety studies on epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) preparations. Part 2: dermal, acute and short-term toxicity studies. Food Chem Toxicol, 2006; 44:636–650.
55.
KimHK, ChoiSY, ChangHK, et al.Human skin safety test of green tea cell extracts in condition of allergic contact dermatitis. Toxicol Res, 2012; 28:113–116.
56.
LarsonD, JacobSE. Tea tree oil. Dermatitis, 2012; 23(1):48–49.
57.
AptedJH. Contact dermatitis associated with the use of tea-tree oil. Australas J Dermatol, 1991; 32:177.
58.
de GrootAC, WeylandJW. Systemic contact dermatitis from tea tree oil. Contact Dermatitis, 1992; 27:279–280.
59.
BhushanM, BeckMH. Allergic contact dermatitis from tea tree oil in a wart paint. Contact Dermatitis, 1997; 36:117–118.
60.
FritzTM, BurgG, KrasovecM. Allergic contact dermatitis to cosmetics containing Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil) [In French]. Ann Dermatol Venereol, 2001; 128:123–126.
61.
RutherfordT, NixonR, TamM, et al.Allergy to tea tree oil: retrospective review of 41 cases with positive patch tests over 4.5 years. Australas J Dermatol, 2007; 48(2):83–87.
62.
StoranER, NolanU, KirbyB. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by the tea tree oil-containing hydrogel Burnshield®. Contact Dermatitis, 2016; 74(5):309–310.
63.
FiumeMM, BergfeldWF, BelsitoDV, et al.Safety assessment of Cucumis sativus (cucumber)–derived ingredients as used in cosmetics. Int J Toxicol, 2014; 33:47S–64S.
