Hello!
I’m allergic to limonene & linalool, and it’s been causing me contact dermatitis eczema since 2022. I’ve always had sensitive skin but started to get eczema on my eyelids, lips and inner arms. After months of waiting for dermatology appointments and allergy tests to find out the cause, turns out this type of ‘eczema’ I experienced is a contact allergy to limonene and linalool. I know how tough it can be as it seems like both are in everything so wanted to share some products I’ve found on my journey!
I’m starting an Instagram blog where I share products for people suffering with the same www.instagram.com/limoneneandlinaloolfree
My dermatologist told me that products are only legally required to state that they contain limonene & linalool in their products if it’s over a certain % (I think either 2% or 5%) so I’ve found it’s best to avoid fragranced products altogether. This includes anything that says ‘perfume, aroma, parfum, fragrance, scent’ etc on the ingredients list, but doesn’t actually list what ingredients make up the fragrance smell.
She also said that pretty much 99% of perfumes & essential oils will have it in. I avoid anything scented in my house, such as perfume, essential oils, scented candles, room sprays, diffusers, cleaning products. I also avoid citronellol and gerniol.
Here is a list of products I’ve found that work for me, some affordable and some more pricey. This is just a guide and each individual is different so make sure you check the updated list of ingredients on the bottle before buying.
Skincare - there are lots of fragrance free skincare products but here are some that have worked well for me
- Cerave hydrating cleanser
- La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 baume
- Cetaphil gentle cleanser
- Avène extremely gentle cleanser
- La Roche Posay anthelios suncream
- Aveeno Daily moisturising lotion
- Vaseline original
- Most of The Ordinary products are fragrance free
- Superdrug fragrance free face wipes (most places do their own version)
- Sanex Zero deodorant
- Urtekram deodorant
- Salt of the Earth deodorants
Makeup - check ingredients of your makeup products! You don’t want anything that states limonene, linalool and it could be a risk using perfumed/scented makeup.
Hair care + shower
- Faith in Nature fragrance free shampoo, conditioner & body wash
- Green people scent free shampoo & condtioner
- The Ordinary sulphate cleanser & BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE conditioner
- Philip Kingsley unscented shampoo & conditioner
- Philip Kingsley elasticizer hair mask
- Urtekram body wash, shampoo & conditioner
- Sanex zero
Laundry + Household cleaning
- All Surcare products are amazing - they have been a lifesaver for me!
- Ecover Zero range
- Dettol fragrance free range
- M&S Sensitive Zero fragrance range - yet to try but looks good
- Bar Keepers Friend - some products are ok
- Easy original thick bleach
- Bio - D fragrance free toilet cleaner
Hand Sanitiser
- La Roche posay purifying hand sanitising gel
- Nursem unfragrenced range
Toothpaste - this is a hard one!!
- Euthymol
- Lavera Neutral Gel toothpaste
- The Natural Family Co natural toothpaste