Skincare sensitivities & contact irritants.
Persistent burning, breakouts, or flaking often stem from specific formulation vehicles rather than active ingredients. Identify common sensitizers, INCI aliases, and validated hypoallergenic alternatives.
Fragrance & Essential Oils
A clinical analysis of volatile aroma compounds, terpenes, and synthetic perfumes that trigger delayed-type contact hypersensitivity and neurovascular flushing.
Denatured Alcohol & Simple Alcohols
An evaluation of low-molecular-weight short-chain alcohols used for quick-drying finishes, penetration enhancement, and sebum stripping.
Malassezia (Pityrosporum Folliculitis)
A targeted formulation strategy for skin vulnerable to opportunistic Malassezia yeast overgrowth, commonly misdiagnosed as standard acne vulgaris.
Organic (Chemical) Sunscreen Filters
A clinical breakdown of ocular stinging, photo-contact dermatitis, and heat sensations linked to older organic ultraviolet absorbers.
Sulfate Surfactants & Harsh Detergents
A pharmacological assessment of high-charge anionic detergents that disrupt the stratum corneum structure and alter the cutaneous acid mantle.
Drying Clays & Tannin Astringents
An analysis of high-tannin botanical distillates and mineral clay masks that induce superficial protein contraction and excessive surface moisture loss.
Isothiazolinones & Formaldehyde Releasers
A pharmacological assessment of cosmetic biocides—including methylisothiazolinone and formaldehyde donors—responsible for acute allergic contact dermatitis and periorbital eczema.
Lanolin & Wool Wax Alcohols
A clinical evaluation of ovine sebaceous secretions and wool alcohols commonly formulated into intensive barrier ointments, lip balms, and post-procedure salves.
Propylene Glycol & High-Dose Glycols
An analysis of low-molecular-weight glycols utilized as humectants, solvent vehicles, and penetration enhancers in active serums and topical gels.
Photoreactive Citrus Oils & Psoralens
A clinical assessment of cold-pressed Rutaceae citrus extracts containing linear psoralens that induce severe ultraviolet-mediated burns and hyperpigmentation.
Menthol, Camphor & Cooling Additives
A physiological review of sensory cooling monoterpenes and counter-irritants that mimic soothing sensations while triggering neurogenic inflammation and vascular dilation.
Comedogenic Esters & Heavy Waxes
A clinical analysis of low-viscosity branched fatty acid esters and synthetic waxes that penetrate the infundibulum, precipitating microcomedone formation and non-inflammatory congestion.
INCI Allergen & Sensitizer Directory
Specific cosmetic ingredients screened for delayed hypersensitivity, lipid leaching, and pore occlusion
| INCI Ingredient | Sensitivity Dossier | Dossier |
|---|---|---|
| Fragrance / Parfum | Fragrance & Essential Oils | Audit → |
| Linalool | Fragrance & Essential Oils | Audit → |
| Limonene | Fragrance & Essential Oils | Audit → |
| Geraniol | Fragrance & Essential Oils | Audit → |
| Citronellol | Fragrance & Essential Oils | Audit → |
| Eugenol | Fragrance & Essential Oils | Audit → |
| Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil | Fragrance & Essential Oils | Audit → |
| Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil | Fragrance & Essential Oils | Audit → |
| Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil | Fragrance & Essential Oils | Audit → |
| Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil | Fragrance & Essential Oils | Audit → |
| Alcohol Denat. | Denatured Alcohol & Simple Alcohols | Audit → |
| SD Alcohol 40-B | Denatured Alcohol & Simple Alcohols | Audit → |
| Isopropyl Alcohol | Denatured Alcohol & Simple Alcohols | Audit → |
| Ethanol | Denatured Alcohol & Simple Alcohols | Audit → |
| Ethyl Alcohol | Denatured Alcohol & Simple Alcohols | Audit → |
| Methanol | Denatured Alcohol & Simple Alcohols | Audit → |
| Polysorbate 20, 40, 60, 80 | Malassezia (Pityrosporum Folliculitis) | Audit → |
| PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil | Malassezia (Pityrosporum Folliculitis) | Audit → |
| Glyceryl Stearate / Glyceryl Oleate | Malassezia (Pityrosporum Folliculitis) | Audit → |
| Isopropyl Palmitate / Isopropyl Myristate | Malassezia (Pityrosporum Folliculitis) | Audit → |
| Oleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Lauric Acid | Malassezia (Pityrosporum Folliculitis) | Audit → |
| Fermented Galactomyces / Saccharomyces Filtrates | Malassezia (Pityrosporum Folliculitis) | Audit → |
| Triglyceride plant oils (Olive Oil, Rosehip Oil, Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil) | Malassezia (Pityrosporum Folliculitis) | Audit → |
| Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3) | Organic (Chemical) Sunscreen Filters | Audit → |
| Avobenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) | Organic (Chemical) Sunscreen Filters | Audit → |
| Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate) | Organic (Chemical) Sunscreen Filters | Audit → |
| Homosalate | Organic (Chemical) Sunscreen Filters | Audit → |
| Octocrylene | Organic (Chemical) Sunscreen Filters | Audit → |
| Ensulizole (Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid) | Organic (Chemical) Sunscreen Filters | Audit → |
| Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) | Sulfate Surfactants & Harsh Detergents | Audit → |
| Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) | Sulfate Surfactants & Harsh Detergents | Audit → |
| Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) | Sulfate Surfactants & Harsh Detergents | Audit → |
| Sodium Coco-Sulfate | Sulfate Surfactants & Harsh Detergents | Audit → |
| Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate | Sulfate Surfactants & Harsh Detergents | Audit → |
| Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water | Drying Clays & Tannin Astringents | Audit → |
| Bentonite | Drying Clays & Tannin Astringents | Audit → |
| Kaolin (in high-concentration unbuffered clay masks) | Drying Clays & Tannin Astringents | Audit → |
| Alum (Potassium Alum) | Drying Clays & Tannin Astringents | Audit → |
| Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract | Drying Clays & Tannin Astringents | Audit → |
| Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Distillate | Drying Clays & Tannin Astringents | Audit → |
| Methylisothiazolinone (MI) | Isothiazolinones & Formaldehyde Releasers | Audit → |
| Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) | Isothiazolinones & Formaldehyde Releasers | Audit → |
| DMDM Hydantoin | Isothiazolinones & Formaldehyde Releasers | Audit → |
| Diazolidinyl Urea | Isothiazolinones & Formaldehyde Releasers | Audit → |
| Imidazolidinyl Urea | Isothiazolinones & Formaldehyde Releasers | Audit → |
| Quaternium-15 | Isothiazolinones & Formaldehyde Releasers | Audit → |
| Bronopol (2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol) | Isothiazolinones & Formaldehyde Releasers | Audit → |
| Lanolin | Lanolin & Wool Wax Alcohols | Audit → |
| Lanolin Alcohol | Lanolin & Wool Wax Alcohols | Audit → |
| Wool Wax Alcohol | Lanolin & Wool Wax Alcohols | Audit → |
| Amerchol L-101 | Lanolin & Wool Wax Alcohols | Audit → |
| Hydrogenated Lanolin | Lanolin & Wool Wax Alcohols | Audit → |
| Acetylated Lanolin | Lanolin & Wool Wax Alcohols | Audit → |
| Lanolin Oil | Lanolin & Wool Wax Alcohols | Audit → |
| Propylene Glycol | Propylene Glycol & High-Dose Glycols | Audit → |
| 1,2-Propanediol | Propylene Glycol & High-Dose Glycols | Audit → |
| Dipropylene Glycol | Propylene Glycol & High-Dose Glycols | Audit → |
| High-percentage Butylene Glycol (>15%) | Propylene Glycol & High-Dose Glycols | Audit → |
| Ethoxydiglycol | Propylene Glycol & High-Dose Glycols | Audit → |
| PPG-26-Buteth-26 | Propylene Glycol & High-Dose Glycols | Audit → |
| Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil | Photoreactive Citrus Oils & Psoralens | Audit → |
| Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil | Photoreactive Citrus Oils & Psoralens | Audit → |
| Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil | Photoreactive Citrus Oils & Psoralens | Audit → |
| Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil | Photoreactive Citrus Oils & Psoralens | Audit → |
| Angelica Archangelica Root Extract | Photoreactive Citrus Oils & Psoralens | Audit → |
| Ficus Carica (Fig) Leaf Extract | Photoreactive Citrus Oils & Psoralens | Audit → |
| Menthol | Menthol, Camphor & Cooling Additives | Audit → |
| Menthone | Menthol, Camphor & Cooling Additives | Audit → |
| Camphor | Menthol, Camphor & Cooling Additives | Audit → |
| Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Oil | Menthol, Camphor & Cooling Additives | Audit → |
| Menthyl Lactate | Menthol, Camphor & Cooling Additives | Audit → |
| Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Extract | Menthol, Camphor & Cooling Additives | Audit → |
| Eucalyptol / Cineole | Menthol, Camphor & Cooling Additives | Audit → |
| Isopropyl Myristate | Comedogenic Esters & Heavy Waxes | Audit → |
| Isopropyl Palmitate | Comedogenic Esters & Heavy Waxes | Audit → |
| Ethylhexyl Palmitate | Comedogenic Esters & Heavy Waxes | Audit → |
| Myristyl Myristate | Comedogenic Esters & Heavy Waxes | Audit → |
| Isocetyl Stearate | Comedogenic Esters & Heavy Waxes | Audit → |
| Butyl Stearate | Comedogenic Esters & Heavy Waxes | Audit → |
| Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter | Comedogenic Esters & Heavy Waxes | Audit → |
| Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil | Comedogenic Esters & Heavy Waxes | Audit → |
Distinguishing Irritation from an Active Allergic Response
Irritant contact dermatitis occurs rapidly when an ingredient strips lipids or disrupts pH. Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed T-cell-mediated reaction taking 24 to 72 hours to manifest. Both require eliminating offending formulations and restoring the lipid matrix.
Screen your skincare shelf for hidden irritants.
Instantly flags fragrance terpenes, drying alcohols, and volatile extracts.