Frequency of contact allergy to pentylene glycol. Retrospective cross‐sectional study with data from the Società Italiana di Dermatologia Allergologica Professionale e Ambientale (SIDAPA)

Pentylene glycol (PTG) (1,2-pentanediol; 1,2-dihydroxy pentane;CAS no. 5343-92-0) is a preservative, solvent, and humectantthat is increasingly used in cosmetic products as an alternative topropylene glycol (PG), compared to which it is considered aweaker irritant and allergen. However, recent reports of allergiccontact dermatitis (ACD) from PTG in cosmetics for sensitive skinand antiage creams suggest that its allergenic potential may beunderestimated. Our objective was to evaluate the frequency of allergic contactsensitization to PTG compared to PG in consecutive patients under-going patch testing for the suspicion of ACD.