A review of some of the best-selling over-the-counter moisturizers finds that most products contain at least one allergen that could worsen the very skin condition it is designed to treat.

The review, published online Sept. 6 in JAMA Dermatology, found that of 153 products, 88 percent contained at least one allergen of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) series, such as fragrances, parabens and tocopherol. Most of these contained more than one allergen:  43 percent contained three to four allergens and 13 percent contained five or more allergens.

Over-the-counter moisturizes are often recommended by dermatologists to treat skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, contact dermatitis and psoriasis. These recommendations are made by physicians who may not realize they may be exposing patients to a myriad of ingredients that could possibly cause an allergic reaction.