Follicular contact dermatitis due to polyoxyethylene laurylether.

Polyoxyethylene laurylether, an addition polymer of lauryl alcohol and ethylene oxide, is used as an emulsifier in cosmetics. We report a case of follicular contact dermatitis after the use of polyoxyethylene laurylether that was contained in a cosmetic. A patch test with polyoxyethylene laurylether 1% petrolatum showed a follicular papular reaction. A use test for polyoxyethylene laurylether 1% petrolatum also produced follicular papules at 7 days.