Skin Sensitization of Odorant Materials

Abstract

Many skinsensitization natural and synthetic odorant materials contain structural features such as aldehyde functionalities or conjugated double bonds which lead to a certain chemical reactivity. Such molecules have the intrinsic ability to modify skin proteins, and if they are applied to skin at too high doses this may trigger an immune reaction leading in sensitive individuals to an allergic reaction. Here we review the underlying molecular mechanisms, the key structural classes of sensitizing odorant molecules, the predictive tests to identify fragrance allergens, the epidemiology of fragrance allergy, and the measures taken to avoid such reactions based on a risk assessment.