r/AcrylateAllergy

Hi everyone!

I have had an ongoing acrylate allergy for about 18 months, I had the worst of it in October 2025, it cleared up and I was able to use polish again March 2026.
I had engagement photos being taken 2 days ago, so I wanted a professional to shape and paint my nails.

I explained my allergy and very sensitive skin to the salon and the tech 4 times - when I booked, when I checked in, and twice during the service. I even showed the tech past photos of flare ups.

After explaining my allergy when I sat down, the tech steered me away from regular polish to a dip service instead. I quickly looked it up and saw it could be done without gel and said yes.
However, 18 hours later I had a reaction. I called the salon, they tried to imply I didn’t tell them about my allergy and instead of being apologetic, they acted dumbfounded when they saw my skin and I felt rather embarrassed because every tech came over to look at them.

They removed it and were nice enough, however I am now at a concerning point where I’m worried my cuticles are infected.

I’m looking for any advice to alleviate this asap, I’d greatly appreciate it!

EDIT: photo in comments

Hi everyone, I’d really like some minimal composite bonding done ahead of my wedding next year. However I’m 100% certain I have an acrylate allergy from gel nails.

I just wanted to ask firstly, has anyone had any luck seeing a dermatologist via the NHS for acrylate allergy patch testing? (I got in touch with GP this morning as I’d really like answers) Secondly, has anyone with an acrylate allergy had composite bonding? Did you react? Thank you

Here is a fact sheet I put together at one point from AI. Disclaimer: This is not official. You must verify everything before use. Also, please note that at the bottom that many dentists use an acrylate film while the filling cures. Don't let them do that!

TEMPORARY CEMENT alternatives

Zinc Oxide-Non-Eugenol (ZONE) Cements

These cements are often preferred because they do not interfere with the final setting of permanent resin-based cements.

• Kerr
  • ZONEfree (Translucent Zinc Oxide, Non-Eugenol)
  • Temp-Bond NE (Non-Eugenol)
• VOCO
  • Provicol QM (Zinc Oxide, Non-Eugenol, often contains Calcium Hydroxide)
• GC America
  • GC Freegenol (Non-Eugenol, Zinc Oxide-based)
• Cosmedent
  • Adhere (Eugenol-free, Zinc Oxide-based)
• Temrex
  • TNE (Temrex Non-Eugenol)

PERMANENT CEMENT alternatives

Zinc Phosphate Cements (Traditional Luting)

This is the oldest type of dental cement, known for high strength and longevity, but it requires mechanical retention in the preparation as it does not chemically bond to the tooth structure.^(1)

Brand	Product Examples
Shofu Dental	Hy-Bond Zinc Phosphate Cement
Dentsply	DeTrey Zinc
Keystone	Fleck's Cement
General	Various generic Zinc Phosphate Cement powders/liquids

Zinc Polycarboxylate Cements

These cements chemically bond to the tooth structure (dentin and enamel) and are generally kinder to the pulp than zinc phosphate.

Brand	Product Examples
3M ESPE	Durelon Carboxylate Cement
Shofu Dental	Hy-Bond Polycarboxylate Cement
Dentsply Sirona	Tylok Plus (Anhydrous Polycarboxylate Cement)
General	Various generic Polycarboxylate Cement powders/liquids

Conventional Glass Ionomer Cements (GIC)

GIC chemically bonds to the tooth and releases fluoride, which is a major advantage. Crucially, the conventional (or traditional) GICs are acrylate-free, while Resin-Modified GICs (RMGICs) contain acrylates.They are more brittle than composite, so they aren't ideal for large cavities on the chewing surfaces of back molars.

1. Filling & Restorative Materials

These are thick, packable materials used to fill cavities. They chemically set on their own within a few minutes and do not use a blue dental curing light to harden.

• GC Fuji IX GP (The absolute industry standard for a packable conventional GIC filling) PureLife Dental
  • GC Fuji IX GP EXTRA or Fuji IX GP FAST * GC Fuji II  (Fuji II LC is the resin-modified version and must be avoided)
  • GC Fuji TRIAGE (Often used as a pink or white protective sealant or temporary filling; 100% self-curing)
• 3M ESPE (Ketac Line):
  • Ketac™ Molar or Ketac™ Molar Quick (A highly durable, bulk-fill conventional glass ionomer)
  • Ketac™ Universal (A hand-mix, chemical-cure conventional GIC)
  • Ketac™ Fil Plus * VOCO:
  • IonoStar® Molar or IonoStar® Plus (Fast-setting, immediately packable conventional glass ionomers)
  • Ionofil Molar AC
• SDI:
  • Riva Self Cure (SC) or Riva Self Cure HV (High Viscosity). Note: You must explicitly avoid "Riva Light Cure."

2. Luting Cements (For Gluing Crowns, Inlays, or Gold)

Must use a conventional GIC cement. These flow smoothly and self-harden via a pure mineral acid-base reaction.

• GC Fuji I® (The gold standard for a self-cured, traditional glass ionomer luting cement)
• 3M Ketac™ Cem or Ketac™ Cem Radiopaque * SDI Riva Luting (The pure chemical-cure version; avoid Riva Luting Plus, which contains resins)
• Dentsply AquaCem (A traditional chemical-setting luting cement mixed with water) Hospital Store

3. The Protective Glaze for fillings

After a dentist places a conventional glass ionomer filling, it is highly sensitive to moisture for the first few minutes. Standard practice is to wipe a clear, liquid plastic glaze over it and light-cure it to protect it while it fully hardens. These glazes are almost pure acrylate resins. Your dentist must skip the plastic glaze completely and instead use a simple sterile petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) or a mineral wax to protect the filling while it finishes setting.

Has anyone with an acrylate allergy had dermal fillers at all? I’m not 100% sure if they contain any acrylates, I’m struggling to get answers from aesthetic professionals in the industry when I ask if their ingredients contain acrylates. I’d like to get chin filler for a recessed chin, but not sure if I can proceed. Thank you!

Update: Hi everyone just a little update, I have found someone that offers fillers using ‘Restylane’ which doesn’t contain acrylates 🙌🏻

Has anyone with the allergy had dental
Bonding? I got it done before my allergy and was fine but I know doing it again will cause problems. People say a holistic dentist is the way to go. Does anyone know if they can bond a front teeth gap Acrylate free? Any one with experience would be so helpful. Thank you!

Anyone have good recommendations? I have a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen which is helpful but I would like to use a separate face sunscreen on my face/neck before putting on makeup. TIA!

cannot thank you all enough. I had a round of styes that I could not find the source of and irritation in my ears with an ear infection and turns out it was my gel allergy.

my ear buds were made with acrylates (beats fit pro) and all of my eye makeup had acrylates especially the mascara I switched to last fall which is when styes started popping up. I made so many swaps and I am doing better but I just had a huge moment of relief when I figured it out

Hey! I have been going back and forth on some dental work which requires composite bonding for the last 2 years. I'm finally at a point where I have found a dentist and either want to go ahead or try accept I can never have it done.

I had an official NHS patch test done and found out the exact acrylates I'm allergic to. My dentist has found me composite which - does contain acrylates - but not the types I reacted to in the patch test.

I know there are still possibilities of reactions, but I think it's still safer. Plus of course it will be cured, however of course I'm still feeling nervous about this living my mouth!

I just wondered if anyone had any success stories with dental work and acrylate allergies - whether it's composite, fillings, or anything similar? I feel like there is still so little information on how this allergy affects the patients in dentistry.

Edit: Thank you so much to everyone in the comments so far - all super informative and encouraging! I have my consultation next week and will update with progress!

Help! Can anyone help me with my search for a acrylate allergy friendly moisturizer? I'm looking for a face moisturizer that works with sensitive/rosacea prone skin that doesn't doesn't have acrylates (so no polyacrylic acid, acrylates copolymer, carbomer, etc), niacinamide (irrates my skin), bees wax or petrolatum (aka Vaseline, as lotions with petrolatum tends to cause break outs in my skin). Does such a product exist?? I've searched everywhere and can't find a basic, ideally glycerin based lotion/moisturizer of some kind that doesn't contain my no-go ingredients. Thank you!