Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026
Optimization, Design and Avoiding Pitfalls in Manual Multiplex Fluorescent Immunohistochemistry
Published on: July 26, 2019
To Avoid or Not to Avoid: Cross-Reactivity Between Fragrance and Common Botanicals
Sarah Karels1,2, Brailyn Weber1,3, Sara Hylwa1,4
1Department of Dermatology, Park Nicollet Contact Dermatitis Clinic, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Background:
Fragrance allergy is difficult to define, with thousands of known fragrance-related compounds. Whether certain botanicals should be considered 'fragrance' and whether fragrance-allergic patients should avoid these ingredients remains unclear, with minimal published data on the topic.
Objectives:
This study aimed to evaluate whether there is cross-reactivity between fragrance and various botanicals commonly found in personal-care products, such as aloe, coconut oil and shea butter, among others.
Methods:
A cohort of fragrance-allergic patients was identified using data from 2038 patients patch-tested at a tertiary referral centre from 2020-2024. Cross-reactivity rates to botanicals commonly found in personal-care products were calculated, and statistical significance was determined using Fisher's exact test. Cross-reactivity was defined as > 10% reaction incidence.
Results:
In patients with fragrance allergy, there was no significant cross-reactivity to any of the investigated botanical compounds.
Conclusions:
The low concomitant rates of reaction between fragrance and the investigated substances suggest that patients allergic to fragrance do not need to avoid certain common botanicals. Many products contain these compounds, including ones marked as 'fragrance-free'. Dermatologists can safely reassure fragrance-allergic patients of the safety of many botanicals commonly used in personal-care products.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Frustration and Conflict: Avoidance-Avoidance, Double-Approach Avoidance
01:26Personality Disorders: Narcissistic and Avoidant
Characteristics of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic individuals exhibit an inflated sense of self-importance and an excessive need for admiration. They are often...
01:14Avoidance Learning and Learned Helplessness
Avoidance learning occurs when an organism learns that a specific behavior can prevent an unpleasant outcome. For example, a student who receives a bad grade may start studying harder to avoid future poor grades. This behavior persists even when the negative outcome is no longer present. Avoidance learning is powerful because it maintains behavior in the absence of the...
00:42Cross-reactivity
01:24Primary Motives: Sleep, Sex, and Pain Avoidance
Sleep is a fundamental physiological drive that fosters a state of restfulness crucial for several bodily functions. It facilitates body restoration, the process by which the body repairs, rejuvenates, and maintains itself during sleep, including memory...
01:20Frustration and Conflict: Approach-Approach, Approach-Avoidance
One common type of conflict is the Approach–Approach Conflict. In this case, a person faces two desirable...