What is Contact Dermatitis?

Irritant contact dermatitis
This accounts for around 80% of contact dermatitis cases. It is brought on by a strong reaction to an external irritant such as detergents (soaps, washing up liquid, bleach etc), solvents (alcohol) and synthetic chemicals. The reaction can be from a once-off exposure to a strong irritant or ongoing exposure to a weaker one.

Allergen contact dermatitis
This is an allergy caused by the immune system’s reaction to a specific substance or allergen which we have become sensitised to over time. Allergens can include nickel in jewellery and fastenings – this is the one we hear about most from our customers – fragrances, Formaldehydes, hair dyes, cosmetic preservatives and rubber.

To avoid irritant and allergen triggers completely we recommend visiting a dermatologist to identify them using a patch test.

Often if a face wash, shampoo or shower gel foams, it contains irritants like SLS and SLES. All Pai products – including our cleansers and body wash – are free from all synthetic and natural parabens, drying alcohols and detergents.

Our products are also free from common skin irritants MI, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Formaldehyde and Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, as well as high levels of essential oils. Such oils have been known to irritate damaged, broken or delicate skin when used in high dilutions.

Spend time reading up on the ingredients lists on your beauty products, to help eliminate triggers. Our founder Sarah did this and discovered she is particularly sensitive to Phenoxyethanol and Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate (both cosmetic preservatives).

Around 75% of contact dermatitis cases occur on the hands, so hydrating them with a gentle emollient such as our Heavy Mettle can help to soothe inflamed skin.