Hypo-allergenic creams. Some years ago it became evident that cosmetic products were producing allergic reactions in some users. Several manufacturers then began to produce cosmetic lines from which known sensitizing agents were excluded. These cosmetics were called ‘hypo-allergenic’. Since then the manufacturers of major brands of cosmetics have realized it is in their interest to omit ingredients likely to cause a significant number of allergic reactions among consumers. Thus at present there is little distinction among established cosmetic products concerning their potential to sensitize. Reactions to cosmetics, while relatively rare, occur with so called hypo-allergenic cosmetics as well as with those not so labelled. To date there is no known method of producing a true non-allergenic cosmetic.
Vitamin E cream. Vitamin E is currently in vogue for the treatment of various normal and abnormal skin conditions. Like the vitamins A, D, and K, it is fat soluble. Only about 400 units per day ore required, and these are easily obtained by eating eggs, margarine or vegetable oils. Various claims have been made for vitamin E, in particular that it is capable of the removal of wrinkles and stretch marks, the rapid healing of burns and wounds, the removal of underarm smells, that it can improve sexual potency, and, furthermore, that it can diminish the incidence of heart disease and diabetes. It is used both in capsule and in cream form. However, there is no evidence whatsoever that vitamin E is absorbed through the skin. Therefore, any effect it may have is due to its cream base, which once again is simply a variant of the good old cold cream. Furthermore, the effect, if any, of vitamin E on the skin is completely unknown, since there have been no controlled trials by which to evaluate its pharmaceutical or cosmetic effect. Consequently, its use continues to be based on recommendation rather than knowledge.
Recently, vitamin E has been investigated by the Consumer Union of the United States, and the New York State’s Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau, and the A.M.A. Committee of Cutaneous Health and Cosmetics. The conclusion was that ‘there is absolutely no evidence that vitamin E applied to the skin is in any way beneficial to that organ’. Furthermore, none of the various American manufacturers that were contacted by the Union could supply any controlled studies on the efficacy of vitamin E with skin disorders. At this stage, it is probably best to consider it as a vitamin searching for a disease to cure.
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