The survey found only negligible contamination, and the agency concluded that the preservatives couldn't handle the challenge of constant use. But in a store, there may be only minutes between each use. The preservatives can't handle it. She says that some companies use cotton swabs for that purpose. According to a study of cosmetic reactions conducted by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, preservatives are the second most common cause of allergic and irritant reactions to cosmetics.
Fragrances are number one.
Although the study is more than 10 years old, the results can still be considered valid today, says Harold R. Minus, M.D., an associate professor of dermatology at Howard University Hospital. People who have had allergic reactions to cosmetics may try hypoallergenic or allergy-tested products. Although some manufacturers do clinical testing, others may simply omit perfumes or other common problem-causing ingredients. But there are no regulatory standards on what constitutes hypoallergenic. In addition, we were going to require that companies submit information to FDA establishin g that in fact their products were hypoallergenic.