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CONTACT DERMATITIS ALTERNATIVES 2025

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**Products are included here based on listed ingredients, and inclusion here is not an endorsement. I have no relationships with any listed manufacturers.

 

**Always shop with caution. I do NOT recommend purchasing skin care products online from sites that use third-party resellers, such as as amazon.com, walmart.com, sears.com. Some people purchasing from resellers on these sites have reported fraudulent or expired products. The only exception is if you are purchasing from an authorized reseller on these sites.  Some of the products below are linked to either the manufacturer's website or retailers such as CVS.com, Walgreens.com, or Dermstore.com.

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***Links on this page are provided as examples and for informational purposes only. These are not affiliate links.

 

 

Skin care products

The products below are examples (there are multiple other options) of products that are free of: Natural and synthetic fragrance additives, formaldehyde, lanolin, and methylchloroisothiazolinone.

 

NOTE: These recommendations only apply for the exact products listed. Products that are the same brand and have a similar name may not be a safe choice. While we make every effort to provide up-to-date information, product formulations frequently change, so read labels and use caution.

 

NOTE: All products contain some potential allergens.  Patch testing may be required.

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NOTE: While these products have worked well for many of my patients, they are not appropriate for everyone. I have found that individuals may react very differently to the same exact product, so always use caution when using a new product. For those with sensitive skin, I recommend testing on the forearm twice daily for one week before using elsewhere.

 

The products below contain ingredients that are less common causes of allergy.

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  • BA = benzoic acid

  • BCL = benzalkonium chloride

  • CPB = cocamidopropyl betaine

  • IPBC = iodopropinyl butylcarbamate

  • P = parabens

  • PG = propylene glycol

  • TR = trolamine

  • V = Vitamin E

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Facial and Body Cleansers

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Eyelid cleansers: 

 

Liquid cleansers: 

 

Bar soaps: â€‹

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Moisturizers (from less to more greasy)

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Hair Care

 

Product Lines Available Online

 

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Sun Protection and Sunscreens
A sun protection plan may include sunblock, but always includes caution with sun exposure, along with sunglasses, hats, and clothing. The sunblocks listed below contain ONLY physical sunblock ingredients [zinc oxide and titanium dioxide].

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Laundry detergent

 

Lip products

 

Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant

 

Hand Sanitizer

 

Shaving

 

Wipes

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Eye Drops

 

Other

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Cleaning Supplies

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Diaper Rash Barrier Ointments

  • Vaseline pure 100% petroleum jelly [no added fragrance or flavoring] [do not buy in baby aisle since the baby version contains fragrance!]

  • Vanicream ointment

  • Aquaphor Baby 3-in-1 Diaper Rash Relief Cream with 15% zinc oxide

  • Aquaphor® Diaper Rash Paste with 40% zinc oxide 

 

Nickel

  • Nickel test kit to detect the presence of nickel (does not harm objects): nickelsolution.com or allerderm.com

  • Use a clear nail lacquer (from nickelsolution.com) to protect against leaching of nickel 

  • Ask jeweler to apply a coating (thicker than plating) of rhodium or platinum to protect against nickel in jewelry

 

Nickel allergy and jewelry

  • Sterling silver and 18K yellow gold are usually OK

  • Avoid most white gold (white color achieved by combining gold with either nickel or palladium)

  • Always check with jeweler on alloys (even expensive titanium and platinum jewelry may be alloyed with nickel)

 

Formaldehyde-Free Clothing

  • 100% polyester, 100% silk, or most 100% denim or cotton clothing

 

Detailed Handouts (see KattaMD.com)

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For More on

Preventive Dermatology 

and the Latest Research

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© 2025 by Rajani Katta

MD

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