Background: Formaldehyde (FA) and formaldehyde-releasers (FRs) are well-known causes of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Following the 2019 EU ban on FA and Quaternium-15 in cosmetics, stable or slightly decreasing sensitisation rates have been reported. In Turkey, both were banned in 2021.
Objectives: To assess FA/FR sensitisation and ACD rates before and after the ban, and evaluate the role of FA as a marker for FR allergy.
Methods: A single-centre retrospective cohort of 2592 patients patch tested with FA 1% or 2% aq. and at least one FR between 1996 and 2024.
Results: FA/FRs sensitisation prevalence was 1.9% (48/2592), mostly in patients > 40 years old. The most frequent sensitisers were hexahydro-1,3,5-tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)triazine (0.7%) and Quaternium-15 (0.6%). ACD occurred in 37.5% (18/48), mainly as hand eczema from non-occupational rinse-off cosmetics, while 16.7% were occupational (hairdressers/barbers/metalworkers). FA 1%-2% aq. failed to detect FR sensitisation in 31.9% (n = 15/47) of patients, including nine missed with FA 1% aq. and six with FA 2% aq. No cases occurred after the 2021 ban. 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol and DMDM-hydantoin showed no co-reactivity with FA, but were important inducers of FR-related ACD.
Conclusions: The 2021 ban in Turkey appears to have reduced ACD due to FA and FRs. Continued FR testing remains essential, as FA 2% aq. is complementary but not a fully reliable marker.
Keywords: allergic contact dermatitis; epidemiology; formaldehyde; formaldehyde‐releasers; non‐occupational; occupational; patch test; preservatives.
© 2026 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.