Fragrance in skin care: do I fearmonger?| Dr Dray | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Fragrance in skincare products can cause allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and photo reactions, among other issues.

Key Insights

• 🥺 Fragrance in skincare products can lead to allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and photo reactions.
• 🥶 Dermatologists often advise those with skin issues like rosacea, melasma, or sensitive skin to switch to fragrance-free products.
• 😨 The true prevalence of contact dermatitis to fragrance is not accurately known due to limitations in testing and access to dermatological care.
• 🥶 Fragrance-free labeling on products does not always guarantee the absence of fragrance ingredients.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What is allergic contact dermatitis?

Allergic contact dermatitis is a rash caused by the immune system's sensitivity to a specific allergen, such as fragrance. Once sensitized, the skin develops a rash upon contact with the allergen.

Q: Are all fragrance ingredients known to cause problems?

While some fragrance ingredients have been identified as common culprits for contact dermatitis, others may also cause issues. It can be challenging to identify all potential allergens since fragrance is not a single ingredient but an umbrella term for multiple ingredients.

Q: Do fragrance-free products guarantee the absence of fragrance?

No, the term "fragrance-free" is not regulated and can be misleading. Manufacturers can include fragrance ingredients that serve other purposes in the product while claiming it to be fragrance-free.

Q: Are there other health issues associated with fragrance use?

Fragrance has been reported to exacerbate migraines, asthma, and cause respiratory and mucositis inflammation. It has also been associated with the emission of volatile compounds that can act as primary pollutants when combined with ozone.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Fragrance in skincare products can lead to allergic contact dermatitis, where the immune system develops a sensitivity to the fragrance ingredient and causes a rash upon exposure.

• It can also cause irritant contact dermatitis, a rash that occurs immediately upon contact with the fragrance due to its stinging and irritating properties.

• Photo reactions can occur when fragrance ingredients interact with UV light, leading to either photo allergic reactions or photo toxic reactions.