Contact depigmentation induced by propyl gallate

Abstract

We report a 41-year-old woman who developed contact depigmentation at several body sites after using lipstick, liquid kumkum (a colouring usually made from turmeric or saffron used for social/religious markings), and plastic or rubber slippers (flip-flops). Propyl gallate, a common ingredient to all and a previously undocumented depigmenting agent, was incriminated on patch testing with the Indian standard series.