KATTA MD
HEALTHIER SKIN WITH FOOD, SKINCARE, AND LIFESTYLE
CONTACT DERMATITIS ALTERNATIVES 2024
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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
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BCL = benzalkonium chloride
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CPB = cocamidopropyl betaine
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IPBC = iodopropinyl butylcarbamate
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P = parabens
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PG = propylene glycol
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TR = trolamine
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V = Vitamin E
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Facial and Body Cleansers
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Eyelid cleansers:
Liquid cleansers:
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Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser (liquid only) [P,PG]
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Cerave foaming cleanser [P,PG]
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Cerave Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser [BA, salicylic acid]
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Neutrogena ultra gentle hydrating cleanser (creamy formula only, NOT the foaming formulation)
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Neutrogena Hydro Boost with Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cleansing Gel
Bar soaps: ​
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Moisturizers (from less to more greasy)
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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Fragrance Free [Only the fragrance free version]
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Cleure Day Cream [V] (www.cleure.com)
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Vanicream cream [PG]
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Pure Vaseline petroleum jelly (no added fragrance or flavoring)
Hair Care
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DHS Sal with 3% salicylic acid for dandruff [CPB], DHS conditioner
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Vanicream shampoo, Vanicream conditioner [PG], Vanicream styling gel, Vanicream hairspray soft or firm hold (Vanicream products available at some drugstores or 1-800-325-8232 or www.vanicream.com)
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Available online: see below for Cleure, SEEN Hair Care, Vanicream, and VMV Hypoallergenics options
Product Lines Available Online
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Avene Hypersensitive Skin Care: Tolerance Extreme Cleansing Lotion, Tolerance Extreme Cream
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Cleure Sensitive Skin: Glycerin face/body bar soap, face/body wash, face wash, shampoo hypoallergenic, conditioner for sensitive skin, styling gel, crystal stone deodorant
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SEEN Hair Care: Skin-Caring shampoo, Skin-Caring conditioner, Skin-Caring blow-out creme
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VMV Hypoallergenics (212-217-2762): Essence skin-saving superwash hair and body shampoo, Essence skin-saving clark wash hair and body shampoo (can customize products based on allergen results, or choose from post-patch testing product line free of top 109 allergens)
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Vanicream (1-800-325-8232)
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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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Cerave Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Lotion [niacinamide, PG]
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Cerave Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face Lotion [niacinamide, PG, V]
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Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen PureScreen Sensitive Skin SPF 50 [BHT]
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Neutrogena Mineral UltraSheer Dry-Touch SPF 30 Lotion, 3 oz (V)
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Neutrogena Pure and Free Baby Sunblock Stick SPF 60 (stick only!)
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Neutrogena Purescreen+ Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid Sunscreen [V]
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Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad-Spectrum 50+ with 21% Zinc Oxide [Isopropyl Myristatate, V]
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Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Kids Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ with 21% Zinc Oxide [Isopropyl Myristate]
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Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Face & Body Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50 [Isopropyl Myristate, V]
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TIZO Ultra Zinc Body & Face Sunscreen Non-Tinted SPF 40 Broad Spectrum [TR]
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Vanicream Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (www.Vanicream.com or 1-800-325-8232)
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Vanicream Sunblock SPF 50+ (www.vanicream.com or 1-800-325-8232)
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Vichy Capital Soleil Tinted 100% mineral sunscreen SPF 60 [BA, PG, V]
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Laundry detergent
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Simple Truth Laundry Detergent Vanicream
Lip products
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Stop chapsticks (Burt’s Bees, Blistex, Carmex, EOS, and all other lip balms)
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Stop chewing gum, mints, mouthwash
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Use only pure Vaseline petroleum jelly for lips (no fragrance or flavoring) or Vanicream Ointment or Cleure lip balm with shea butter, no flavor
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For toothpaste, may use
Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant
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Almay roll-on deodorant (roll-on only)
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Vanicream Deodorant for Sensitive Skin (Aluminum Free)
Hand Sanitizer
Shaving
Wipes
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Sani-Hands Instant Hand Sanitizing Wipes [PG, Vitamin E]
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Seventh Generation chlorine-free baby wipes [benzoic acid]
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Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes
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CVS Health Instant Hand Sanitizing Wipes [PG, Vitamin E]
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Eye Drops
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Refresh Optive Preservative-Free Drops (lubricating eye drops)
Other
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Cerave SA Cream for Rough and Bumpy Skin (for keratosis pilaris)(with salicylic acid, ammonium lactate) [P, TR, V]
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Amlactin Daily Nourish Lotion with 12% lactic acid for keratosis pilaris (with ammonium lactate)
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Cleaning Supplies
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Diaper Rash Barrier Ointments
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Vaseline pure 100% petroleum jelly [no added fragrance or flavoring] [do not buy in baby aisle since the baby version contains fragrance!]
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Vanicream ointment
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Aquaphor Baby 3-in-1 Diaper Rash Relief Cream with 15% zinc oxide
Nickel
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Nickel test kit to detect the presence of nickel (does not harm objects): nickelsolution.com or allerderm.com
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Use a clear nail lacquer (from nickelsolution.com) to protect against leaching of nickel
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Ask jeweler to apply a coating (thicker than plating) of rhodium or platinum to protect against nickel in jewelry
Nickel allergy and jewelry
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Sterling silver and 18K yellow gold are usually OK
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Avoid most white gold (white color achieved by combining gold with either nickel or palladium)
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Always check with jeweler on alloys (even expensive titanium and platinum jewelry may be alloyed with nickel)
Formaldehyde-Free Clothing
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100% polyester, 100% silk, or most 100% denim or cotton clothing
Detailed Handouts (see KattaMD.com)