Cosmetic Contact Dermatitis in 1982

113 female and 2 male out patients with cosmetic skin disturbances had visited our clinic from January 1st to December the last in 1982. This 115 patients formed 3.06 percent of all new out patients (3754 cases) in 1982. The ratio of 3. 06 was about one to two of the value in the last 3 years. Out of the 115 out patients, 108 cases were with contact dermatitis, 6 cases were with melanosis faciei feminae (pigmented contact dermatitis) and one with photocontact dermatitis. The number of the patients with melanosis faciei feminae was reduced remarkably. The diagnoses were done based on the conditions and outbreak processes of the skin eruptions, patch test, usage test and histological findings. Patch tests with cosmetics which were used at their skin eruptions were developed were performed in 96 patients. The positive rate of creams and milky lotions was the highest of all the products. The positive rates of foundation creams, eye shadows and cheek rouges in the patients with melanosis faciei feminae were higher than in contact dermatitis. As the ingredients of cosmetics, the cases reacted with tar dyes were decreased. Many cases reacted with hydroxycitronellar and musk ambrette, but the cases reacted with BMC or sandal wood oil were reduced.