Abstract
Essential oils are widely incorporated in cosmetic products, perfumes and related household products due to the variety of their properties but mainly due to their pleasant odour. The composition of these volatile natural complex mixtures may vary depending on the quality of plant material from which they were obtained and the extraction method by which they were derived. These factors are also important in ensuring the safe use of essential oils in personal care products. As they contain compounds with varied chemical structure and effects, skin sensitivity and irritations as well as other symptoms may arise after their application. Although essential oils are considered as safe and nontoxic when used at low concentrations, available scientific literature indicates that essential oils and their compounds may possess a strong allergy potential. This review focuses on side effects and allergy contact dermatitis caused by selected essential oils and their single compounds in cosmetic products, summarizing data from the most recent scientific literature.
Highlights
Essential oils as well as their isolated compounds are widely used in cosmetic products as they offer a variety of benefits
The present review provides an update on side effects and allergy contact dermatitis caused by selected essential oils and their compounds that are often added to cosmetic- as well as household-products and appear in our everyday lives
Despite the fact that German chamomile oil is most commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products, barely any reports of contact allergy or allergic contact dermatitis have been described in the scientific literature [36]
Summary
Essential oils as well as their isolated compounds are widely used in cosmetic products as they offer a variety of benefits Their biological activities range from analgesic, antiseptic, antimicrobial, carminative, diuretic, spasmolytic to hyperaemic and stimulatory. Van Vuuren and colleagues [6] proved the high antimicrobial effect of selected essential oils against a wide range of dermatological pathogens These substances do have positive effects; as essential oils and fragrances can be sources of potential allergens, experts gathered at the international organization IFRA Fragrance Association) defined which essential oils and which components of them represent a potential allergy risk They determined the maximum concentration of them in order to produce safe cosmetic products [7]. Many essential oils are recommended in the treatment of certain dermatological problems due to their activities, we focused on substances that are used to improve a product’s odour and/or storage life
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