title: Ethylhexylglycerin: a low-risk, but highly relevant, sensitizer in 'hypo-allergenic' cosmetics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ethylhexylglycerin is a relatively new cosmetic ingredient that is used for its surfactant, emollient, skin-conditioning and antimicrobial properties. Since 2002, it has been occasionally reported as a contact allergen.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report on 13 patients who presented with allergic contact dermatitis caused by ethylhexylglycerin, evaluated at two Belgian university patch test clinics during the period 1990-2015.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients were patch tested with the European baseline series, a cosmetic series, and - if indicated - additional series. Both the cosmetic products used and their single ingredients were patch tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All but one of the ethylhexylglycerin-allergic patients were female, with a median age of 43 years (range: 29-81 years), most often suffering from dermatitis on the face, and sometimes on the hands and/or axillae. As the culprit products, leave-on cosmetics were identified, including a high number of proclaimed 'hypo-allergenic' and 'preservative-free' facial creams, sun protection creams, and deodorants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ethylhexylglycerin is a rare, but highly relevant, cosmetic sensitizer, even in those products advertised to be safe for consumers. Targeted patch testing with ethylhexylglycerin 5% pet. is very useful, and routine patch testing in a cosmetic series may be considered. Higher test concentrations might be indicated in selected cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) and University of Antwerp (UA), 2650, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Aerts
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals K.U. Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lien
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Verhulst
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals K.U. Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goossens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000737:chemistry*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005995:Glyceryl Ethers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D011356:Product Labeling
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics; D005995:Glyceryl Ethers; C524860:ethylhexylglycerin
keywords: CAS no. 70445-33-9; allergic contact dermatitis; cosmetics; deodorants; ethylhexylglycerin; octoxyglycerin; patch testing; preservative; skin conditioner; sunscreens