Colophonium — Allergy Risk & Safety Profile

What is Colophonium?

Natural pine tree resin used as adhesive and film-former.

Allergy & Safety Information

Colophonium is classified as a high-risk ingredient. It is a known cause of allergic contact dermatitis. Individuals with sensitive skin or a history of contact allergies should avoid products containing this ingredient. A patch test is recommended before first use of any product containing Colophonium.

This ingredient is classified as high risk from an allergenicity perspective. It is a recognised cause of allergic contact dermatitis with a relatively high sensitisation rate in patch-tested populations. People with a history of skin reactions to cosmetics, or with conditions such as eczema or sensitive skin, should exercise particular caution.

How to Identify Colophonium in Products

Cosmetic ingredients are listed by their INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name in descending order of concentration. To check whether a product contains Colophonium, scan the ingredient list for its INCI name exactly as it appears above. Ingredients present at 1% or less may appear in any order after the 1% threshold.

Product types to prioritise checking: Mascara, Depilatory wax, Adhesive bandage. These product categories are the most common sources of Colophonium exposure based on formulation data.

Not sure if your products contain Colophonium? Paste the ingredient list into the free ingredient checker to scan for Colophonium and other allergens automatically.

Cross-Reactions

If you react to Colophonium, you may also react to:

Frequently Asked Questions

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