Allergic contact dermatitis of the lip margins from para‐tertiary‐butylphenol in a lip liner

Abstract
We describe the use of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) in the investigation of a case of allergic contact dermatitis of the lip margins caused by a lip liner. Patch testing identified sensitization to para‐teriiary‐butylphenol‐formaldehyde resin (PTBP‐FR), a resin glue frequently used in leather work but rarely found in cosmetics. Investigation specified the para‐tertiary‐butylphenol (PTBP) component of the resin as the hapten responsible for the allergic contact dermatitis, as well as for associated depigmentation.