Consumer Council detects fragrance allergens in over half of body lotions

Consumer Council tested 40 models of body lotions for babies and toddlers and detected fragrance allergens in over half of the models, including Aveeno Baby which contained an EU-banned substance.

The results revealed that 22 models were detected with fragrance allergens, 10 of which were found to contain around three to 10 types of fragrance allergens. Among them, the two models detected with eight and 10 types of fragrance allergens did not list out all of the detected substances on their product labels.

Eight models were found to contain a relatively higher total concentration of fragrance allergens from around 0.13 to 0.45 percent. The eight models were Jack n' Jill, California Baby, GAIA, ecostore, Sebamed, Oilatum, erbaviva and Aveeno Baby.

Among them Aveeno Baby was the model with the highest amount of fragrance allergens. This model was even detected with the fragrance substance hydroxyisohexyl-3-cyclohexene carboxyaldehyde (HICC), a high potency skin sensitiser which has been banned by the EU Commission.

Another fragrance of concern, butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA), was detected alongside the EU-banned substance in the Aveeno Baby model as well.

The council also detected trace amounts of fragrance allergens in one model labeled as “allergens-free fragrance”.

The council reminded customers to read the ingredients list carefully and avoid choosing products containing common allergenic or skin-irritating ingredients, such as fragrance allergens or specific preservatives

Parents should consider washing the affected skin if severe skin allergic reactions occur on babies and toddlers after using body lotions. They should also seek medical attention immediately if the babies display symptoms of skin infection, the council said.