Allergens Present in Most ‘Hypoallergenic’ Baby Cleansers, Study Finds

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--$RCSfile: InCopy_agile.xsl,v $ $Revision: 1.35 $-->
<!--$RCSfile: drupal.xsl,v $ $Revision: 1.7 $-->
<root generator="drupal.xsl" gversion="1.7"> <header> <fileName>167329</fileName> <TBEID>0C04F104.SIG</TBEID> <TBUniqueIdentifier>MD_0C04F104</TBUniqueIdentifier> <newsOrJournal>News</newsOrJournal> <publisherName>Frontline Medical Communications</publisherName> <storyname/> <articleType>2</articleType> <TBLocation>QC Done-All Pubs</TBLocation> <QCDate>20240315T113751</QCDate> <firstPublished>20240315T120133</firstPublished> <LastPublished>20240315T120133</LastPublished> <pubStatus qcode="stat:"/> <embargoDate/> <killDate/> <CMSDate>20240315T120133</CMSDate> <articleSource/> <facebookInfo/> <meetingNumber/> <byline>Geet Asnani</byline> <bylineText>GEET ASNANI</bylineText> <bylineFull>GEET ASNANI</bylineFull> <bylineTitleText/> <USOrGlobal/> <wireDocType/> <newsDocType>News</newsDocType> <journalDocType/> <linkLabel/> <pageRange/> <citation/> <quizID/> <indexIssueDate/> <itemClass qcode="ninat:text"/> <provider qcode="provider:imng"> <name>IMNG Medical Media</name> <rightsInfo> <copyrightHolder> <name>Frontline Medical News</name> </copyrightHolder> <copyrightNotice>Copyright (c) 2015 Frontline Medical News, a Frontline Medical Communications Inc. company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, copied, or otherwise reproduced or distributed without the prior written permission of Frontline Medical Communications Inc.</copyrightNotice> </rightsInfo> </provider> <abstract/> <metaDescription>A study found that 94% of best-selling baby cleansers contain allergens, despite their hypoallergenic claims.</metaDescription> <articlePDF/> <teaserImage/> <teaser>In the 50 cleansers tested, 10 allergens were identified.</teaser> <title>Allergens Present in Most ‘Hypoallergenic’ Baby Cleansers, Study Finds</title> <deck/> <disclaimer/> <AuthorList/> <articleURL/> <doi/> <pubMedID/> <publishXMLStatus/> <publishXMLVersion>1</publishXMLVersion> <useEISSN>0</useEISSN> <urgency/> <pubPubdateYear/> <pubPubdateMonth/> <pubPubdateDay/> <pubVolume/> <pubNumber/> <wireChannels/> <primaryCMSID/> <CMSIDs/> <keywords/> <seeAlsos/> <publications_g> <publicationData> <publicationCode>skin</publicationCode> <pubIssueName/> <pubArticleType/> <pubTopics/> <pubCategories/> <pubSections/> </publicationData> <publicationData> <publicationCode>fp</publicationCode> <pubIssueName/> <pubArticleType/> <pubTopics/> <pubCategories/> <pubSections/> </publicationData> <publicationData> <publicationCode>pn</publicationCode> <pubIssueName/> <pubArticleType/> <pubTopics/> <pubCategories/> <pubSections/> </publicationData> </publications_g> <publications> <term canonical="true">13</term> <term>15</term> <term>25</term> </publications> <sections> <term canonical="true">39313</term> <term>27970</term> </sections> <topics> <term canonical="true">271</term> <term>199</term> <term>254</term> <term>203</term> </topics> <links/> </header> <itemSet> <newsItem> <itemMeta> <itemRole>Main</itemRole> <itemClass>text</itemClass> <title>Allergens Present in Most ‘Hypoallergenic’ Baby Cleansers, Study Finds</title> <deck/> </itemMeta> <itemContent> <h2>TOPLINE:</h2> <p> <span class="tag metaDescription">A study found that 94% of best-selling baby cleansers contain allergens, despite their hypoallergenic claims.</span> </p> <h2>METHODOLOGY:</h2> <ul class="body"> <li>Many baby cleansers are marketed as “hypoallergenic,” but these claims are not validated. </li> <li>This study assessed the potential allergens and marketing claims in best-selling baby cleansers. </li> <li>The researchers collected ingredients and marketing claims of the top 50 best-selling baby body wash products sold on Amazon on April 4, 2023. </li> <li>Ingredient lists were checked for potential allergens using the 2020 American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) core allergen series, which lists 90 common allergens for adults and children.</li> </ul> <h2>TAKEAWAY:</h2> <ul class="body"> <li>In the 50 cleansers tested, 10 allergens were identified. Overall, 94% of the cleansers contained at least one allergen, averaging 2.9 allergens per product; cocamidopropyl  (72%), fragrance (64%), and  (54%) were the most common allergens. </li> <li>All cleansers had at least five marketing claims, with an average of 10.9 claims per product; the most common claims were “paraben-free” (88%), “phthalate-free” (84%), “tear-free” (74%), and “hypoallergenic” or “allergy-tested” (74%). </li> <li>There was no significant difference in the number of allergens in the cleansers marketed as “hypoallergenic” or “allergy tested” compared with cleansers that did not have these claims (P = .843).</li> <li>Fewer allergens were found in cleansers endorsed by the  (<em>P</em> = .004) or labeled “synthetic fragrance-free” (<em>P</em> = .003).</li> <li>There was a positive correlation between a greater number of allergens and an increased number of marketing claims (r = 0.547, <em>P</em> &lt; .001) and a negative correlation between cost and number of allergens (r = −0.450, <em>P</em> = .001).</li> </ul> <h2>IN PRACTICE:</h2> <p>Because marketing claims like “hypoallergenic” may be misleading, “clinicians should counsel parents to carefully examine cleanser ingredients or consider selecting cleansers” endorsed by the National Eczema Association or another international eczema organization, especially for infants and children with a history of <a href="https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1049085-overview">atopic dermatitis</a>, the authors wrote. </p> <h2>SOURCE:</h2> <p>The study, led by Sasan D. Noveir, BA, from the University of California, Los Angeles, and coauthors from the division of dermatology at UCLA, was published <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pde.15570">online</a> in <em>Pediatric Dermatology</em>.</p> <h2>LIMITATIONS:</h2> <p>The study only evaluated top-selling products from a single online source at a specific time, which may limit generalizability. Potential allergens not included in the ACDS core series may be present.</p> <h2>DISCLOSURES:</h2> <p>The study did not disclose any funding source. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.<span class="end"/></p> <p> <em>A version of this article appeared on <span class="Hyperlink"><a href="https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/most-baby-cleansers-are-not-allergen-free-study-finds-2024a10004wg">Medscape.com</a></span>.</em> </p> </itemContent> </newsItem> <newsItem> <itemMeta> <itemRole>teaser</itemRole> <itemClass>text</itemClass> <title/> <deck/> </itemMeta> <itemContent> </itemContent> </newsItem> </itemSet></root>