Editing Moisturizer (section)

== Potential health risks ==

=== Over-moisturization ===

Persistent moisturization to the skin via water contact may contribute to an allergic reaction or contact dermatitis.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024|reason=This is a scientific/medical claim and must be supported by literature.}} This could allow foreign objects to penetrate the skin.{{Ambiguous|date=March 2024|reason=Is (how) this related to preceding statement? Also, citation would be useful.}} 

Changes in the skin's normal ecological environment–either atop or within the skin–can also allow for the overgrowth of pathogens.<ref name="marino">{{Cite journal|last=Marino|first=Christina|date=2006|title=Skin Physiology, Irritants, Dry Skin and Moisturizers|url=http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Dermatitis/files/skin_phys.pdf|journal=Skin Physiology, Irritants, Dry Skin and Moisturizers|access-date=2019-01-29|archive-date=2017-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829154832/http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Dermatitis/files/skin_phys.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Allergens ===

Aromas or food additives in moisturizers may trigger an immune reaction, including development of an allergy.<ref name="aaaai" /><ref name="stgeorge-2021" />

There is currently no regulation over use of the term "hypoallergenic". In fact, some pediatric skin products marketed as hypoallergenic contained allergens.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Parsons|first1=Julia|title=Protect children's skin from unregulated term 'hypoallergenic'|url=https://www.bcm.edu/news/skin-and-hair/protect-kids-from-unregulated-hypoallergenic|website=BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE NEWS|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073736/https://www.bcm.edu/news/skin-and-hair/protect-kids-from-unregulated-hypoallergenic|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Schlichte|first1=Megan J.|last2=Katta|first2=Rajani|title=Methylisothiazolinone: An Emergent Allergen in Common Pediatric Skin Care Products|journal=Dermatology Research and Practice|volume=2014|pages=1–4|doi=10.1155/2014/132564|pmid=25342949|pmc=4197884|year=2014|doi-access=free}}</ref> 

Those with [[eczema]] are especially vulnerable to allergic reaction with lotions and creams, as their compromised skin barrier allows preservatives to bind with and activate immune cells.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Doyle|first1=Kathryn|title=Some skin creams bad news for eczema|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-skin-creams-eczema-idUSBRE9BB14720131212|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=31 December 2015|date=2013-12-12|archive-date=2016-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924101858/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-skin-creams-eczema-idUSBRE9BB14720131212?|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology]] released a warning in 2014 that natural lotion containing ingredients commonly found in food (such as goats milk, cow's milk, coconut milk, or oil) may introduce new allergies, potentially causing an allergic reaction upon later consuming such foods.<ref name="aaaai">{{cite web|last1=Graham|first1=Melissa|title=Researchers find link between natural lotions, new food allergies|url=http://www.aaaai.org/about-the-aaaai/newsroom/news-releases/natural-lotions.aspx|website=American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109191313/http://www.aaaai.org/about-aaaai/newsroom/news-releases/natural-lotions|archive-date=2017-11-09}}</ref> A paper published in 2021 noted that frequent skin moisturization in early life might promote the development of food allergy, even when skin conditions such as eczema are taken into account.<ref name="stgeorge-2021">{{cite web |title=Frequent moisturization of infants can lead to food allergies |url=https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210304/Frequent-moisturization-of-infants-can-lead-to-food-allergies.aspx |website=Medical News |access-date=7 August 2022 |date=4 March 2021 |archive-date=19 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119150759/https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210304/Frequent-moisturization-of-infants-can-lead-to-food-allergies.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Fire risk ===

Paraffin-based skincare products and contaminated clothing can pose a serious fire hazard.<ref name="bbc-fire-test" /> Between 2010 and 2018, paraffin was linked to 50 fire incidents (49 of which were fatal) in the U.K.<ref>{{cite web |title=Emollients: new information about risk of severe and fatal burns with paraffin-containing and paraffin-free emollients |url=https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/emollients-new-information-about-risk-of-severe-and-fatal-burns-with-paraffin-containing-and-paraffin-free-emollients |website=GOV.UK |access-date=31 December 2020 |language=en |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108141042/https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/emollients-new-information-about-risk-of-severe-and-fatal-burns-with-paraffin-containing-and-paraffin-free-emollients |url-status=live }}</ref> A West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service study found that clothing contaminated with cream containing only 21% paraffin, when set alight, was fully engulfed in flame in 3 seconds.<!-- Study details are found in the BBC video, not the article text --><ref name="bbc-fire-test">{{cite news |title=Fire tests show dangers of paraffin-based skin creams |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-43009261 |access-date=31 December 2020 |archive-date=29 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129162633/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-43009261 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency]] (MHRA) released a warning in 2008 about the flammability of paraffin-based products.<ref>{{cite web |title=Paraffin-based treatments: risk of fire hazard |url=https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/paraffin-based-treatments-risk-of-fire-hazard |website=GOV.UK |access-date=31 December 2020 |language=en |archive-date=21 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221230533/https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/paraffin-based-treatments-risk-of-fire-hazard |url-status=live }}</ref> MHRA recommends that regular paraffin users change their sheets regularly, refrain from smoking and/or bringing open flames near paraffin-coated people or objects.<ref>{{cite web |title=Paraffin-based skin emollients on dressings or clothing: fire risk |url=https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/paraffin-based-skin-emollients-on-dressings-or-clothing-fire-risk |website=GOV.UK |access-date=31 December 2020 |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204083840/http://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/paraffin-based-skin-emollients-on-dressings-or-clothing-fire-risk |url-status=live }}</ref> MHRA also recommends that skin creams containing any paraffin have a flammability warning on the packaging.<ref name="bbc-paraffin-flammability">{{cite web |last1=Goldberg |first1=Adrian |last2=Robinson |first2=Ben |title=Skin creams containing paraffin linked to fire deaths |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-39308748 |website=BBC News |access-date=31 December 2020 |date=19 March 2017 |archive-date=15 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215220258/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-39308748 |url-status=live }}</ref>