Huidklachten door cosmetische producten : eindrapportage CESES

Abstract

Since the start of the Consumer Exposure Skin Effects and Surveillance (CESES) Project in July 2009, the RIVM has received more than 1700 reports of adverse reactions to cosmetic products. The most commonly reported product categories were skin care products and hair care products. A relatively high number of complaints about make-up and sun care products have also been received. Especially cosmetic products that have been designed for use on or around the eyes, such as eye contour cream, eye make-up and eye make-up remover, are frequently mentioned as a potential cause of the adverse effect. To investigate the cause of the adverse reaction, a dermatologist can perform a patch test in which a series of substances are applied onto the skin of the back. Of the patients who underwent a patch test by dermatologists involved in the CESES-project, 23% responded to isothiazolinones. Isothiazolinones are potent allergens that are frequently used as preservatives in consumer products. Results of patch tests with specific product ingredients showed that 20% of the tested patients responded to (co)polymers. These findings are supported by recent literature in which (co)polymers in a sun cream were found to be responsible for the development of allergic contact dermatitis in some patients. These data are remarkable because (co)polymers are not known to possess an allergenic potential. Also fragrance allergens are important allergenic substances present in cosmetics: 20% of the tested patients responded to perfume. Considering the number of positive patch test reactions to isothiazolinones and (co)polymers as well as the widespread use of these compounds in consumer products such as cosmetics, it is recommended that adverse effects caused by isothiazolinones and (co)polymers - as found in the CESES project - are further monitored. Moreover, it is important to further investigate the allergenic potential of these (co)polymers.