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. 2023 Nov;89(5):374-381.
doi: 10.1111/cod.14397. Epub 2023 Aug 17.

Fragrance allergens in cosmetic products marketed for children in Denmark

Sofia Botvid  1   2 , Anne Birgitte Simonsen  1   2 , Claus Jørgensen  3 , Stine Müller  3 , Christel Søgaard Kirkeby  3 , Anne Beck Christensen  3 , Jeanne Duus Johansen  1   2
Affiliations

Fragrance allergens in cosmetic products marketed for children in Denmark

Sofia Botvid et al. Contact Dermatitis. 2023 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Fragrances are among the most common contact allergens in children. Cosmetic products are the most frequent source of skin exposure.

Objective: To investigate exposure to fragrance allergens among Danish children, based on a sample of 1179 cosmetic products marketed for children.

Methods: Information regarding cosmetic products marketed to children was obtained using a non-profit smartphone application registry, with data from December 2015 to November 2022.

Results: The number of validated products was 26 537, of which 1349 marketed for children. After elimination of duplicates, 1179 (4.4%) individual products remained. The majority 53.8% (634/1179) of the products were fragranced. The highest frequency of declared fragrances was found in 'Facial care'-products: 93.0% (80/86), of which 97.7% were lip balms. The highest number of labelled fragrances in one single product (n = 16) was found in a baby perfume. Fragrance mix I (FMI) or II (FMII) allergens were found in 25.3% (298/1179) of the products. Limonene and linalool were the two most frequently labelled fragrance allergens.

Conclusion: Children can be exposed to a vast number of fragrance allergens from scented cosmetic products. Allergens from FM I and FMII are widely used in cosmetic products marketed to children. Patch testing with FMI and FMII remains relevant in children.

Keywords: 26 fragrances; allergic contact dermatitis; children; contact allergy; cosmetic product; fragrance mix; smartphone application.

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References

REFERENCES

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