RT Journal
A1 Nelson CT, Sulzberger MB
T1 INclusion of antibiotics in cosmetic preparations
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1959
FD April 4
VO 169
IS 14
SP 1626
OP 1627
DO 10.1001/jama.1959.73000310009016
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1959.73000310009016
AB There seems to be essential agreement that antibiotics generally useful in the treatment of systemic infections should not be used in cosmetics. The risk of sensitization of cosmetic users to such antibiotics could be dangerous. Moreover, and perhaps even more important, the widespread use of cosmetics containing these antibiotics would be unwise because of the possible increased incidence of acquired microbial resistance to such drugs. Therefore, under no circumstances should the antibiotics used in cosmetics include agents of this type.It has been proposed that agents such as bacitracin, neomycin, polymyxin, and tyrothricin be permitted in cosmetic preparations. Through their use, antimicrobial action would be secured against a wide spectrum of micro-organisms, and the antibiotics used would rarely be required later on for the treatment of systemic infections.At the present time, the foregoing antibiotics seem to have a relatively low potential for sensitization when applied to the skin. By