My post on methylchoroisothiazolinone/methylchoroisothiazolinone has generated a lot of interest particularly from people who are sensitive to it and looking for alternative products. Given how widely it is used I thought I would try and create a page which listed some products that definitely do not contain this preservative system.
Update 3.4.14 I have had quite a lot of suggestions via the contact form on this page and directly via e-mail. My plan now is to try and create some lists which I’ll share via my sensitive skin newsletter where people will hopefully share their experiences. If you’d like to participate sign up for the sensitive skin newsletter.
Update 13/03/16 I have had some lists of MI free products up for a while now in the hope that people will share their experiences to help identify which products are safe for people with MI issues. This is sort of working, though not as well as I had hoped, and people keep putting useful product information in the comments on this post. If you have something to share please pop over to http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/mi-free-product-lists/ where it can be a lot more use.
The idea is to help people who are sensitive, not to promote particular products. I am thinking in terms of just a few products per category, and where there are quite a few options I’ll rotate them so the page doesn’t get cluttered. This is only going to work if I get a reasonable number of suggestions from sufferers. I am not going to list product categories where these preservatives wouldn’t generally be used, so I won’t bother with lipsticks and deodourants for instance.
There are some companies that have a blanket policy of not using these preservatives. These include Body Shop, but most are relatively small. If you know of any I’d love to hear about them, or if you think those policies have changed. In Body Shop outlets they have a reference of the ingredients used, so you can ask specifically about this ingredient. Don’t be self conscious if you can’t pronounce it. The sales staff probably won’t be able to either.
MI is often used in combination with MCI (methylchoroisothiazolinone) and is used at a much lower concentration. It is often at a very low concentration indeed in fact. There is a good chance that even if you are sensitive to MI, you may not be sensitive to the MI/MCI combination. You probably won’t want to take that chance and it does make working out whether or not you have MI sensitivity harder. You might well find that there are some products that contain MI that don’t give you a problem.
MI is mainly used in products that contain a lot of water. So you’ll see it in things like shampoos, washes, lotions and such like. It is not such a good choice for things like creams. It is very widely used in household products where it is not always necessary for it to be listed as an ingredient and where names other than methylisothiazolinone are often used. All I can say is beware. Just about the only good news is that all cosmetic products that contain it will list it on the ingredient list and that they will always use the same name i.e., methylisothiazolinone. You can be confident that any cosmetic or personal care product that doesn’t list it doesn’t contain it.
Postscript
Since I posted this, methylisothizolinone or MI has become a big news story and this has become a big story and this has become my most visited page. Sadly most of the people who visit stay only a few seconds and never comment. But for those of you who have made it this far, I have written quite a bit on this subject since. (Links below)
I also get a lot of e-mails, some of which contain useful information. I have now given up any hope of simply keeping this post up to date, and have decided to do a newsletter instead. I hope you will sign up for it.
Related Posts
http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/reaction-to-a-cosmetic-product/
http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/methylisothiazolinone-lets-turn-scare-story/
http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/cross-sensitivity/
http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/list-mimci-free-products/
http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/a-quick-tip-for-methylisothiazolinone-free-hair-dye/
Skin Reactions to MI Containing Baby Wipes- Looking a bit deeper
Nivea and Nivea soft creams, but only European made. The versions generally for sale in the USA are made in Mexico and have a different formulation which does contain the Kathon CG preservative system.
@Jean Thanks for that Jean, that is just the sort of info I am hoping people are going to share. I’ll change the page to reflect it. I hope you don’t mind if I don’t acknowledge you up there. If this page works out it is going to get a bit unwieldy and I’ll need to do everything I can to keep it as straight forward as I can.http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/wp-admin/edit-comments.php?comment_status=all#comments-form
I am confused about the comment on nivea creams i.e. lotion not containing methyl. I love the lotion. But, recently I figured out that I am allergic to methyl. I threw out my nivea lotion because it says on the ingredients that it contains methyl.
Hello Amber,
I am afraid formulations change from time to time so it is difficult to keep up to date. I have just created an MI free lotion list. It would be great if anyone reading this who knows of an MI free lotion could add it to the list.
Just been to Body Shop and if you tell them which product you want they have huge books with the product and all the ingredient it contains also will give you small samples to try saves buying huge expensive bottles of stuff only to find that you have an allergic reaction to it. I also have found a product called JASON and it would appear they are free from this awful chemical I have e-mailed these companys, I am new to this as I have only just forund out that I am allergic to methylisothiazolinone
Hope this is of help
Gill
Thanks to Gill and Duncan. I have updated the page with your information. I hope you don’t mind that I am not acknowledging contributors up there. I think it is better to keep it as straight forward as possible up there.
Simple Products Sold in the UK are Kathon free. They also have ingredient listings on the Website (In the same way that Bodyshop have the book) so that you can check before going out to the retailer and reading the back of pack there
I am delighted to have come across this page. I found out I was allergic to Methylisothiazolinone last year and struggle to find products that don’t contain the chemical (I do most things with gloves on, including changing and bathing my two babies as all wetwipes, bubble bath and shampoos have it) I currently use Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish for make-up removal/cleansing and E45 Junior bath milk for bath/shower cleansing. After contacting the manufacturers I have been assured both these products are Methylisothiazolinone free. Hope that’s of some help.
Thank you! I’ve recently noticed that the only common ingredient in two products I’ve used begin with methyl…. My eyes and face have become very swollen, red, itchy. I’m trying to make sure that I use only products without this ingredient
I am not against preservatives – I’m against misleading and incomplete labeling so I can make an informed decision. Preservatives are incredibly important as we want long shelf life. We are trading convenience for healthy choices – but that’s my opinion.
I too finally found out about my MI/MCI allergy. My major issue is with dish soap as my hands took the worst of it. But mascara was a close second – swollen eyes within an hour. Also watch out for private label lotions from a beauty salon: a local beauty salon where I would get my Epicurean facials decided to substitute their Sensitive Skin Calming Lotion for Epicurean’s lotion. They use phenoxyethanol and methylisothiazolinone as preservative for this leave on product. My neck, face and eyes were swollen within 6 hours and only pregnisone for 5 days brought it down.
Here are some products I’ve found without MI/MIC as preservative:
Epicurean face/body products – expensive but worth it
Most L’Oreal products inducing the La Roche-Posay for Intolerant skin: Toleriane (Maybelline mascara is also L’Oreal)
Aubrey organic skin care
Biokleen Free & Clear Laundry Liquid
ECOS Liquid Magnolia & Lillies – laundry detergent
Persil Sensitive – laundry detergent
I have found quite a number of natural dish soap products that will just list “Preservative (less than 0.01%)” and that it’s synthetic without listing the actual substance. MI/MIC is supposed to only be used in rinse-off applications. Even though dish soap is considered a rinse-off product, I feel that unless the dish person is wearing gloves exposure to MI/MIC is too long. Dish soap should not be in the rinse-off category. Hair and hand soap exposure is of a much shorter duration.
I think we are going to continue to see a rise in MI/MIC sensitivities as companies look for a cheap replacement to parabens.
There are companies that create natural preservatives (Bio-Botanica Inc.) but the issue of consistent and complete preservation of the product as well as cost seems to liimit their use. http://www.happi.com/articles/2008/05/preservative-market-update
KEEP AWAY from Bold 2 in 1. Contains methylchloroisothiazolinone and the ingredient writing is so small you need a magnifying glass to read it. Also keep away from wallpaper paste (especially ready pasted as that was the beginning of my skin complaint)
i need help in information,of places i can by products free of kathon, thanks
After many hours of searching and contacting customer services, I have found a liquid dish washing detergent that is free of these hateful chemicals — Ultra Palmolive pure and clear. I have only found it at Target stores, so far. Hope this helps others.
Thanks for that Nancy – I’ll add it to the actual post so people don’t have to scroll all the way down here to discover it.
I need a sunscreen without Methylchloro isothiazolinone + methyl isothiazolinones. Does anybody have any sugestions please?
Nivea sun moisturising sun spray 20 factor, and piz buin allergy sun sensitive skin lotion 30 factor are both free from these preservatives
Thanks Sylvia – if you can tell me which country you bought them in I can add them to my MI free product lists.
I have found Free and Clear Shampoo and Conditioner at Walgreen’s. These do not contain Methylchloroisothiazolinone or methylisothiazolinones.
I also found out a year ago that I was allergic to MI/MCI. Some products that don’t list the dreadful ingredients are: EarthFriendly Products’ Dish Liquid, Seventh Generation(pretty much all of their products), Downy Fabric Softeners(even the “Free and Clear” varieties), and even Huggies SENSITIVE baby wipes(that I have been using for the past two years,not even thinking I needed to look at the label because it is marked SENSITIVE!) It’s so frustrating. I did find the Whole Foods Market’s 365 Brand makes a baby wipe free of MI/MCI, and, oddly enough, Seventh Generation Baby Wipes are free of it also. But I have been washing my dishes with extremely hot water and sometimes hand washing soap(Mrs.Meyers-hand soaps NOT dish washing soaps[at Target or Whole Foods]) because I can not find a product that does not contain MI/MCI and/or the new one that falls into the same categoey: BENZisothiazolinone or BI/BIT.I will try the Ultra Palmolive though! Thanks for the tip!
It is also good to know that I am not the only person with this allergy. I was starting to think I was a freak!! Oh, also; one more product, which probably brought this whole allergy to the surface, is the facial products that I had used for..oh..some 20 years. Origins products. They are actually made by the Lauder(estee lauder) Company. Origins.. I chose them because they touted “natural” ingredients, but a lot(though not all) of their products contain a SYNTHETIC (not natural) ingredient..MI/MCI! So again thanks for the tips, I will now try the Epicurean and/or Aubrey products.
Hi
After much hunting I have found the following methylisothiazolinone free products in the U.K.
Shampoo – Loreal Elveve
Conditioner – Loreal Elveve
Showergel – Radox (but only the basic scents!)
Handsoap – Palmolive
Baby Wipes – Simple and Baby Dream Sensitive (which are really cheap!)
Washing Up Liquid – Ecover (they make all sorts of chemical free products including washing detergent)
Moisturiser – Simple (the whole range is fantastic and they do sun tan lotion too)
Makeup – I use bourgeois mascara and Rimmel eye shadow / eye liner and haven’t had a reaction
Watch out for products which suddenly boast ‘new formula’ meaning now that, more often than not, they have added methylisothiazolinone as a surprise!
Also beware of Huggies pure and simple baby wipes – it was these that set me off and I had quite a severe and long lasting reaction.
beware of Ecover. some of their products have it in. The Liquid clothes washing definately has it in!!! which surprised me!! but the washing powder doesn’t.
I was diagnosed with an allergy to this awful product, i have found vosene shampoo and elvive shampoo and conditioner is free from kathon cg. i found my fabric conditioner which was comfort had it in so i have found one called ECOVER that is free from the nasty preservative. hope this helps.
I think those of us with this allergy need to make it apparent to those who produce products that more of us are allergic to methylisothiazolinone than are allergic to glutton products.
I had an inadvertent reaction today which leveled me for hours.
I do have many alternative products.
Thank you for all your information – I had the results of my patch testing yesterday and was diagnosed with having five allergy’s to ingredients in liquid soaps etc – three to different preservatives, Nickel and Lanolin. This site has given me hope after trawling through shops yesterday and almost everything had these preservatives in them. It was so frustrating but I did manage to get Johnson baby shampoo and conditioner in the end. Will go out again today and look at the simple range. Thank you
I was just diagnosed with an allergy to dibromyanobutan, chlormethylisothiazolinon and kathon CG- is this the same that you all are talking about? I found that most of my products have MI/MCI in it, even my clay mask. Which now explains why I broke out in hives every time I was using it….to get rid of the breakouts, which came back because I was using the chemicals. It is very frustrating. I live in Germany and my doctor gave me a mascara to try, La Roche Posay. I will report back and see if I have a reaction. It is sold at the pharmacy, so hopefully works.
Hi Kim. Yes I think that chlormethylisothiazolinon is the same stuff, though I am not sure what dibromyanobutan is. Kathon CG is a trade name and shouldn’t appear on ingredient lists. Laroche Posay have a long history and have done some great products over the years. I think I am right in saying they are owned by L’Oreal now who have positioned them towards sensitive skin. It would be interesting to know how you get on with them.
Incidentally, for UK readers Laroche Posay is a mineral water from France that is used in the Laroche Posay range of products. You can get in Britain if you hunt around but for some reason the brand has never caught on over here so doesn’t get much distribution. But it is well known in Europe.
I carry a bar of neutral soap in my pocket for public bathrooms and motels with common liquid soap.
My ‘free’ shampoo is J R Liggett Old-Fashioned Shampoo Original Formula 3.50 oz
Bar of shampoo, but no red eyes and just a lovely shampoo.
I was so disappointed to learn the EU has allowed Methl… etc.
I also was recently diagnosed with allegic contact dermatitis from MC/MCI. I went out today to shop for new skin, hair and face products as almost everything I owned had some of it in them. Does anyone know if methylparaben is also in that catagory and should be avoided? Thank you for your help..
@Sue Methylparaben is a completely different chemical from a different chemical family. The reason parabens are popular is that they cause very few reactions, so the chances are that you’ll be fine with them. One of the problems with preservatives is that companies all tend to use the ones that give them the fewest complaints so you find that probably 95% of products use either MC/MCI or a combination of parabens. So if you are sensitive to one or the other it gives you a real problem.
Products that do NOT containe are “Almay products, Free n Clear, Mary Kay products, Physicicians formula.
Products that DO CONTAIN: Eucerin & Clarins
I am also allergic to MC/MCI and although I have found a couple of shampoo’s without it – I am also looking for a sulphate free shampoo, any suggestions??
Found the sulphate and MC/MCI shampoo – in Body shop
I use Liggett’s Bar Shampoo. Because it is not a liquid it is MC/MCI and sulfate free. I really like it, but I think it is best for people with normal to oily hair. You will find several vendors online, which is the easiest way to buy it.
I just found out that I am allergic to MCI/MI as well. I have 7 other chemical allergies also. All having to do with my profession of cosmetology. I was diagnosed and patch tested at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Mn. My result reading was on Nov. 9, 2012.
On the professional level of hair care products there are few that do not contain this preservative. One brand that is safe other than 2 products in the line is Kevin Murphy products. Just stay away from Luxury Wash and Motion Lotion those are the only 2 products that contain Methylisothiazolinone. The rest of the line is safe. I spent 8 hrs today reading the ingredients in professional products at 3 different beauty supply stores. Also seventh generation only has 2 products that are safe ” free & clear powder laundry detergent” &’ “free & clear chlorine free bleach”. Also if you are a glove wearer you MUST wear Nitrile gloves not latex or rubber. The chemical has the ability to penetrate latex and rubber. You can find the @ the grocery store or wal mart. They are thin and usually blue.
I went through a research center in California, skin is highly toxic to MIT/MI with combination to the UV rays. Can u list the 7 other chemicals.
One more thing about skin contact allergens. If you have been tested ask your doctor about getting a CARD account. (Contact allergen replacement database) it gives you “safe” products to use according to your allergies.
just found out today I too have a contact allergy to MCI/MI…its in everything. this is overwhelming. I have directly emailed several companies and asked for an ingredient list for the skin care and make up I use…I’ll post the information when I receive it. I also found the following US website that has several categories of products (facial cleansers for example) that contain it and those alternatives that do not…though not all brands are represented, it was helpful: [Link Removed by Colin]
I’ve removed a link here, this is the e-mail I sent to Shaunnieb to explain why
Hi,
Colin from Colin’s Beauty Pages here. Thanks for your comments, and I am glad you are finding my stuff useful. It is also good to hear that I am getting picked up by Google in the US.
I do have a slight problem with the link. I regard the Good Guide as a scaremonger site. It basically uses exaggerated stories about supposed health risks to push people to buy particular products through their affiliate links.
This does mean that they do sometimes provide a useful service, as they are doing in the case of this particular ingredient. But this is offset by the products that they push that are no better than the ones they denigrate.
I don’t want to have a link from my site directly to theirs, but as people with a problem with MCI/MI might well find them helpful on this issue I don’t mind having a mention of them. They can be found easily enough and people can make up their own minds what they think of them.
I hope that is okay with you. If not, let me know and I’ll take your comments down.
Regards
Colin
update: I did hear directly from Clinique, they sent me an ingredient list for the two products I use, Dramatically Different moisturizer and Even Better makeup, and thankfully, its not listed in either product. Clinique positions themselves as a hypoallergenic product line, so my guess is that its a pretty safe line of cosmetics.
I should also add that I realize this is a UK-based blog and I am looking for US products, but it comes up as one of the top search items when searching for products containing MCI/MI, so I though the info would be helpful to other US sufferers. Thanks,-snb
Thank you for this page! I am also allergic to methylisosomethingorother and I learned this after several months of horrible hives last year ending in a patch test. It has been a struggle to find products without this ingredient, especially dish soap and shampoo!
I’m not sure if you have this in the UK, but I want to warn everyone about a product: Make Up Forever HD Foundation. It was actually the product that started my allergy hell. Methylisothiazolinone, as you know, is usually one of the last ingredients listed, but on this foundation it was relatively high up (20th ingredient of 31 total). Recently, I was in a make up store and decided to check the package again and I noticed that it was now missing from the ingredients! I was very excited as it is a wonderful foundation. Unfortunately, I had the same reaction to it. I read the package a thousand times and it is not listed. I know that they legally have to list it if it’s there, but I definitely had a reaction.
Also, here in the US, Simple products DO have this ingredient: http://www.simpleskincare.com/our-products/moisturizers/replenishing-rich-moisturizer
What infuriates me is that this ingredient is in countless products advertised as hypoallergenic, natural, or for sensitive skin.
A few brands that I trust (though I do always read ingredient lists), my apologies if they are US-only:
Alba Botanicals (shampoo, conditioner, moisturizers)
Burt’s Bees (face soaps, moisturizers)
SoftSoap (hand soap)
Clinique (make up)
Dinair (airbrush make up)
Irish Spring (bar soap)
Help. Just did a patch test and I am allergic to the Caine Mix and MCI/MI. Where is a site to go to buy products without these ingredients. Like make up, lotions, etc. I have ezcema also. Thanks for any help.
I have a MCI/MI and thiuram allergy. Looking for safe products in Australia. I reacted to Simple soap, and reading Melissa’s post it makes more sense. Overjoyed to find this site, but WHY IS IT SO HARD when there are so many of us out there? I was using an excellent product that has just been deleted by the manufacturer and its a full time job trying to find a replacement. Look forward to any ideas.
I had an enquiry on my problem page form from Pat
“Hi – I am looking for a shampoo that does not contain Methylchloro isothiazolinone + Methylisothiazolinone. But it also has to be Sulphate free…. any suggestions. Many thanks ”
I don’t know of any sulphate free shampoos that I would actually recommend myself. If anyone has any good experiences to share please let us know.
In most countries cottage soap making enterprises use shampoo formulas from an earlier age before the qualities of sulfates were known and other elements were the active cleaning agents . These typically come in bar form which eliminates the need for Methylchloroisothiazolinone + Methylisothiazolinone which are typically only found in liquid or cream products. In the United States, one such company is Liggett. Their Old Fashioned Shampoo is pretty basic. People with normal to oily hair will find it works well. With dry hair it might work if shampooing every couple of days works.
This came in via the contact form from Joey –
I recently underwent contact allergy testing and was found positive for Kathon CG. Thankfully, this site has directed me to some products that I will need, but there are still others I need. In an effort to help other sufferers, I am listing the products that were recommended by my dermatologist: >shampoo/conditioner – Free and Clear >bar soap – Aveeno fragrance-free >skin cleanser – Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser (liquid only) >eyelid (make-up) cleanser – Albolene >moisturizers – pure Vaseline petroleum jelly (with no added fragrance or flavoring), Cerave cream or lotion (I love the cream!) >sunblock – Vanicream SPF60 >laundry detergent – Tide Free, All Free and Clear, Cheer Free >cosmetics – I was given a list of various brands that are Kathon-free but have had much difficulty finding some of them. I would love to know if there is one specific brand that I could use for all of my cosmetics needs. I look forward to getting more help from this site. Thanks!
Thank you for this site. Very helpful! I was diagnosed with this allergy years ago and struggle to keep my skin healthy but still get problems sometimes, because sometimes even the allergen not mentioned doesn’t mean it’s not there. I live in US so I am glad that few of us here on this page, got some useful info. I use Jason shampoo and conditioner, but my problem is skin care and make-up. How to raise awareness of MI/MCI allergy? I was told I have an eczema and have to live with this all my live! When I find out it was an allergy I wanted to tell whole world that you don’t have to suffer just change products used!
Thanks again for this page!!
Alba Botanica shampoo and conditioner are free from MI/MCI and sulfates (I believe). This is what their packaging says, “100% Vegetarian. No: Animal Testing, Artificial Colors, Parabens, Phthalates, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Myreth Sulfate.”
http://www.albabotanica.com/hair/shampoos.html
I have been using their shampoo, conditioner, and several moisturizers for the last year or so with no allergic reaction. Please read the ingredients for yourself, but it works for me.
Margo, for makeup I’ve had yet to find a Clinique product with MI/MCI. They have been a life (ok, vanity) saver for me so far. Good luck!
I too was just diagnosed with an allergy to MCI/MI and Quat-15. This was in everything that I used everyday causing my eyelids to flare up so bad for the past 2 yrs! I stopped using all anti-bacterial products, perfume, and used only unscented products. Now I ck all ingredients and have improved in just 2 weeks! I use the Palmolive Ultra free n clear from Target on my dishes and as hand soap. Are there any good volumizing shampoos out there and liquid hand soaps ??
This is a great site for information Colin 🙂
I had a patch test done November 2012 because I have Eczema which I have had on and off since I was a baby but it has gone worse over the last year I think due to the change! The patch test revealed I am allergic to Methylchloroisothiazolinone & Methylisothiazolinone plus Hydroxy Ethyl Methacrylate, Hydroxy PropylMethacrylate, Ethylene Clycol Dimethacrylate, & EtrahydroFurfuryl Methacrylate the latter are in Artificial nails and some Dental Glues! also Tosylamide Formaldehyde Resin – Nail Varnish. So after I had this patch test done (I have never had a problem with my scalp except sometimes a bit itchy) but because of the severe eczema on my hands I thought I would stop using all shampoo and conditioner and shower gel products that have it in. I started using Simple shampoo and conditioner 3 weeks ago and have developed a very sore, itchy, weeping yellow scalp thinking I was doing right I continued using simple but can’t persevere any more it is keeping me awake at night and I am now on my second lot of antibiotics.. I am going to go out today and try and buy some of these products but it’s a dear do if you find that you have a reation to it, so I am going to try one at a time for now, good luck everyone and Thanks:)
Tammy left this message on my contact form.
“I was recently diagnosed of being allergic to MCI/MI. After calls to several manufacturers, I learned that Aveda, Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Conditioners do not contain MCI/MI however several of their other shampoos do contain it. Also, I was told that Biolage color care therapy shampoo was free of it. I am also trying to find out if any hair dyes contain it as I feel it all initiated when having my hair colored. If any knows of a connection please share.”
Hair dyes rarely contain any preservatives, but they can penetrate the skin and might have made you susceptible to MCI/MI in the process by opening a path for the MCI/MI to get deeper. I have never heard of this happening in real life, but it is a theoretical possibility. I think it is more likely to be a coincidence though. I doubt that you’d have the same bad luck twice so I don’t think there is any reason to avoid hair dye from now on.
Another comment from the contact form, this one from Glenda.
“Dish Mate is free of chemicals; the trade off is it does not do as good of a job on grease. In the Southeast it can be purchased at Earth Fare stores. I want to try the Ultra Palmolive pure and clear as suggested”
Another comment in from the contact form that I think is worth sharing – this from Linda in the UK.
“Hi I had a patch test done to find out what I am elergic to. Methylisothiazoline and anything that smells nice such as perfume moisturisers. three years later I am alot better but still come into contact with these things. I use Ariel soap powder, Oilatum shampoo from Boots the chemist the green box, and soap called skin wisdom from Tescos. Also from the Doctor I am prescribed Hydromol to act as a moisturiser. Things I would keep clear of is Fairy Liquid and Simple moisturiser, they are really bad. But dont forget to use rubber gloves for any household chores. I hope this helps. Linda.
Site”
I am so thankful for finding this site!
I was diagnosed 17 yrs ago with eczema and have been battling it for all these yrs.
Recently I was diagnosed with Methylisothiazolinone and Isothiazilionone allergy.
I am in SHOCK of all the products and foods that contain these horrible chemicals.
Most recently I have been removing wallpaper and painting for last couple months and I have since developed severe itching especially around my eyes, neck , ears and inner arms and chest, shoulders and trunk. Also since painting have developed swollen lips and sores inside lips and tightness in chest. I just began researching about these allergies and have eliminated most all products that contain these horrible chemicals and have been taking prednisone for several days an have begun seeing some improvement with reduced itching. I am praying for a full recovery and hopeful that my “eczema” will disappear also.
This site has been extremely helpful.
Thanks for all the comments. Great help. I have been told that Eucerin face creams are free of MCI/MI. I have been using them for ages. My breakout was comfort softener. I know Clarins have it in some of their products. I just want to get a good moisturizer for my face as my skin is very dry and tight.
Again,many thanks.
Margaret
I am sooooo happy to find this website, i had my patch testing done 4/3/13 and am allergic to the same. I have been using emulsifying creme to wash my face since then but it is ridiculous today, red itchy raised dry skin all over my face. So i think it is either, the washing poweder i use to clean the towels and facecloth, my estee lauder foundation which i am waiting to find out about or shampoo running onto my face while showering :/ but i try not to get it wet. I am going to try the shampoo, conditioner, washing powder recommended on here and FINGERS CROSSED i do not have to deal with this again 🙁 so unfair to us all!!!
My husband has been diagnosed with contact dermititis. Is allergic to tea tree oil,
Myroxylon pereirae, and |Methyl isothiazolinone. He cannot find shower gells and
shampoos that don’t irritate him. Any suggestions. He has tried Simple and the Olive one from Body shop. He uses E45 but does not like the shower one as it has no foam, and the shampoo makes his scalp itch. Any suggestions??
L’oreal has a shampoo in a gold tube that is free of the methylisothiazolinone I have been using it and my body hasn’t broke out at all. I use bar soap and it doesn’t seem to have the chemical in it. I think it’s mainly for liquid body soaps (as far as soap is concerned)
A message from Ian
“I developed a severe allergy to methylchoroisothiazolinone, which took ages to identify – they were even testing me for various cancers before it was identified. This page is a revelation as I have been unable to find much information at all. I have found the Sanex range of shower cream/gels to be problem free. Thanks again Colin for this page – a real Godsend!!!!”
ECOS Liquid Magnolia & Lillies – laundry detergent has Mci/MI
Method unscented laundry detergent does not have MCI/MI
Products that are M/I free are very rarely perfume free. It is very difficult to find
shower gells and shampoos that are free of those two products in addition to Tea tree
oil. I would be very happy if someone can let us know of any that they have found.
My son who is 5 went in today for patch testing after breaking out time and time again in a full body rash. He tested positive for the same chemicals as listed on this site. I am looking for things in the US that I can use and still let him be a kid. He still wants to play in a bubble bath but I have no idea how to do this and avoid the chemical. Also I have saw laundry detergents listed but no fabric softeners or dryer sheets. Do they make any? Thank you all for any help!
I had the patch test done this week and found that im allergic to MCI/MI..I did some research and read that in Canada this chemical was completely banned from all there products. Its so harmful that it can affect your nervous system. Scientist did an experiment with this chemical on rats and within 6 mins they died because it effected the brain severly. This is DISGUSTING to me, how the US lets MI/MCI to be put in our products knowing it is so harmful. Its also found in JOHNSON & JOHNSON baby products!!!! Poor babies…..something should been done asap.
Lissette – I think you are mistaken on a few points there. It is not banned in Canada. I don’t think that any experiments have ever been published that show such a strong effect.
A message from Carolin that has been sitting in my spam filter for a few months. Sorry about that!
I have been reading labels for the last two days for kathon free products. I called Cover girl and Estee Lauder, both lines use kathon but not in all products. Clinique could not find ingredents list. Their recommendation was to read the labels on the box. I will go to mall next week to find a good make up line without MC or MCI. What a nagging task…. I will keep you posted on my research…
And another unfortunately spammed message from Lyn
I have multiple allergies to methyl watsits! but wonder if anyone can recommend a washing powder/liquid for laundry. Up until recently I was using Bold 2-in-one quite happilly but when my skin flares up, it usually means that the ingredients in the products I use have been changed and methyl watsits added in. Please help if you can. Thanks Lyn
Some handy observations and a question from Heather. (Again, sorry for delay due to hyperactive spam filter.)
Hi I’ve recently been diagnose with this allergy too. Still finding my feet but I can use pears soap (bar) and vosene shampoo. My hair is quite dry I use Johnston baby conditioner at the moment but its not very good – does anyone know of a good conditioner that I can use? Thank you Heather
Some good news from Lorraine about the No 7 range. Once again, held up by the spam filter.
After a long wait my local No7 rep has found out from the product manufacturers that all No7 products are free from MIT.
Some advice from Morwenna
Sanex Zero is free from both Methylchloroisothiazolinene and Methylisothiosothiazolinene. It uses sodium benzoate as the preservative. Obvious it still contains a foaming agent which some people can find an irritant. My dematologist is now using it on my recommendation. I am not sure of its distribution but widely available in UK
A recommendation from Margaret
allergic to Kathon CG and PPD. My face and neck broke out in this red itchy rash. Exhausted from trying to get moisturizers without these ingredients. Chanel Hydraxmax seems not to contain the above. Any help will be appreciated.
HI
YOUR WESITE IS A GREAT HELP. THANK YOU. I SAW A COMMENT SAYING SIMPLE DO A SUN SCREEN BUT I HAVE JUST CONTACTED THEM AND IT IS NOW DISCONTINUED ? ANY OTHER MAKES? ANY ONE
TAHNKS
Hi! I found out I was allergic to this Methlythingy about 18 months ago and found it really hard at first to try and find products that I could use whilst carrying on my life as normal!!
I am from the UK and would highly recommend any of the solid shampoos and conditioners from LUSH, the shampoos foam up lovely and they smell real nice. I’m also allergic to perfumes so have to be really careful! I tend to steer clear of anything that is in a liquid form (shampoo, shower gel, soap etc) as these seem to be the ones with the dreaded ingredient in!
My make-up is mainly all from the Extra Virgin Mineral range from The Body Shop. Again I find anything in a solid or powder form is usually a safe bet.
The Simple moisturiser seems to be fine for me but aqueous cream is always a safe alternative.
Hope this helps someone, somewhere; this is a horrible allergy to have BUT we can work around it!
It would be interesting to know if anyone knows anything about hair dyes? I use a henna dye from LUSH but it is a bit of a pain to use!
Thank you!
Peace
I had an anyphalatic reaction last November and had to go to hospital. I had coloured my hair the day before and in the night my tongue started to swell and I couldn’t speak. I had been colouring my hair for the last 3 years same product only difference was I rubbed it in my hair at the end with no gloves on. They tell you to do a patch test each time but I never did. Any way the hair company sent me for a patch test and I am severely sensitive to Methylisothiazolinone. It is inconclusive and can not be proved but the colour I used has it in also the conditioner. A coincidence if it wasnt the hair colour. I use a lot of body shop products. Has anyone else had such a reaction. I may have had some on my finger and put it in my mouth in the night. Not nice I know. Lol x
Does anyone know a good sunscreen which does not have Is Methylisothiazolinone?
I tried one on my face that didn’t seem to have this ingredient in it, but my eyes swelled up. So, there must have been a derivative of this in there.
I’ve suffered from this allergy since the beginning of the year — possibly longer. Just had a patch test last month. I had a itchy, burning rash, with swelling, mostly on the temples, forehead, and under the eyes. I also had pockets of fluid under my eyes. It would come and go (because I would use a steroid cream on a limited basis). The dermatologst did a patch test last month, and found out I am allergic to MCI and MI. The chemical was in both my shampoo and conditioner — Pantene anti-breakage shampoo and the conditioner (which I would leave in for several minutes!!) also. I would rinse my hair out under the faucet, and it would run down my face, especially the top (forehead, temples, etc.). I immediately stopped the Pantene and now I use Tresemme, which doesn’t seem to have that chemical, and I’ve had no problem since.
I did have one backstep, because I used a temporary (5-7 days) Clairol color rinse on my hair the other day that I had forgotten to check. When I did, I found out it also has this chemical. I have a small breakout that I expect to heal in a couple of more days. I will be much more careful now!
One question: Does the shampoo and conditioner with this chemical affect your hair and scalp if you have the allergy, or just your skin? My scalp used to feel a little itchy, but nothing major.
Thanks to everyone for their comments and suggestions. By the way, I also e-mailed Dawn liquid for their ingredients about 3 weeks ago, and never received an answer. Does anyone know if Dawn contains these chemicals. They do not have their ingredients listed on the bottle (I would think that’s illegal).
I was able to find information about Dawn liquid detergent, and it DOES have MCI and MI.
I had results from patch testing last week and have been told I’m allergic to Methylchloroisothiazolinene and Methylisothiosothiazolinene, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, and thimerosal. This is after 18 months of severe skin problems. Does anyone have any advice, especially for finding laundry products, which don’t contain any of these? I’m also worried that these chemicals go by so many different names that I may miss them on an ingredients label. Any advice gladly taken – this website is already really helping me, so thanks!
Vicki, I’ve checked my semi-permanent hair dye, and it looks as though it’s OK to use: Boots Botanics hair dye. That’s the reddy/brown shade – not sure about other shades!
I have tried to scroll through and find the information Im after, but wondering if anyone could please please tell me the best baby wipes to use which dont have MI/MCI in them. I went to the Dermotologist today who advises to stay away from products containing this, and turns out Huggies Pure baby wipes is one of them (Iassumed it was PURE and never read what they contained). I was told Curash is a good brand, but wanted to see if there were any other reccommendations. Thanks!
Products I found free of Methylchloroisothiazolinone/Methylisothiazolinone
Fairy Non Bio powder
Fairy fabric softner
Ecover powder and fabric softner
Elvive shampoo & conditioner (I use the black and pink bottle)
Radox & Palmolive shower gel
Baby shampoo
Sun cream – Nivea
Asdas own essentials cleanser (cheap but brilliant for my skin, use with cotton pads)
I use double base/diprobase cream from my doctors to get rid of all the dry patches but I still use this now they have cleared as it is excellent
Make up – Estee Lauder double wear, No10 foundation, I use benefit cream blusher, Rimmel eye mascara, Fake Bake tan
Hope this helps, its very time consuming trying to find products without this horrid things we are allergic too!!! x
Nikki try JOHNSON’S® Baby Extra Sensitive Wipes
– [PR-007517] Aqua, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, p-Anisic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
I have had the same problem with a recently diagnosed allergy to MIT (along with a few other things) and it seems that Huggies pure baby wipes could have been the trigger. I am now using Pampers sensitive wipes and these seem ok.
I’m now trying to find out if my moisturising rubber gloves contain this chemical.
I’m hoping that I can conquer this soon and get my hands back.
Wow, its amazing how many of us there are. I too was diagnosed last spring, after two years of utter hell. MY case was complicated because I live in a college dorm and I contracted MRSA on top of the MCI/MI allergy–I’m also allergic to rubber accelerants. At this point i’m reduced to wearing thick shirts under my bras because I’m to afraid to risk the straps having rubber. I’m black… and I need a hair moisturizer that won’t break me out, or give me crazy acne. For a while I was just using glycerin, but it gives me acne. All the research has been done on products for white people, and my hair just doesn’t behave the same way, or have the same needs. HELPHELPHELP. Thanks! Oh, and I’ve had good luck with unscented dove soap, coconut oil for moisturizer, and cetaphil. Hope that helps.
I live in the United States and have just been tested. I am alergic to these ingredients also and so far I have found All free and clear laundry detergent, CVS pharmacy brand shampoo Theraputic Shampoo (compare to Nutragena Shampoo), and I now use ultra Palmolive pure and clear dish detergent. I am going to buy new make-up today with the list I have compiled reading other peoples posts here. Will re-post at a later time with my successes! Thanks -Chera
Many thanks for thiswonderful site. Does anyone else have deep cracks in their thumb tips and finger tips, sometimes bleeding. Unfortunately Iwork in a beauty salon and do a lot of nail work. I dont want to have to leave as I really enjoy my job. Any help would be really good, thank you, April
To Mrs Allison Mar 18th
Your husband could try :Huile De Douche ( Shower Oil with Almond Oil ) by L’OCCITANE
QVC have it . It’s not oily but magic!
Your website and all the messages are so helpful. I read the article in the Telegraph last weekend and it rang alarm bells. I have suffered severe allergic reactions for about 7 years – mild before that. I was diagnosed as allergic to nickel and ‘caine’ products. Recently I have had really bad problems with my hands, in particular the finger tips – cracking and bleeding and painful. It is SO debilitating. I have used Sanex Dermo Sensitive shower cream for years and it is GREAT. I think my latest bout has been sparked by Huggies wipes – I was also misled by the ‘Pure’ etc etc. I now realise my hands are bad after the grandchildren have been here and I’ve used the wipes a lot. I have found the advice about products in all the messages invaluable and I’m now off the buy replacement products for a lot of my cosmetics, laundry stuff, etc. Thank you, Colin and everyone else.
First off, I got a question from Eileen by e-mail.
“Following up a lead from this site yesterday I have tried to source Ultra Palmolive but have found this is no long available. Any other suggestions?”
Also thanks for reminding me Vera, wet wipes are particularly difficult from a micro contamination point of view and so tend to have higher levels of preservatives. This is something to bear in mind if you are prone to sensitivities. They might be something you would want to be cautious about.
I have found all the comments on this sight very helpful as I have developed a nasty skin allergy.This is only on my face,eyes,arms and shoulders. After checking all the hair and shower gels I use each has the dreaded chemicals in mi s and mcis.I had suspected silvrican hair spray but was surprised all the every day items I use had them in My only saving grace is Ecover washing up liqid.
I’ve had eczema since I was 6 months old, and now that I’m 59, I’ve finally had the patch testing. It revealed an allergy to Isothiazolinone & Methylisothiazolinone (Kathon), which is apparently in everything! I gave up cosmetics years ago, because even the hypoallergenic ones caused problems, and I bring special soaps to work with me. I have ruled out certain suncreens by trial & error, but it’s nice to know what to look for now! There is a facebook page dedicated to this allergy if any of you are interested. And if you’re having trouble finding the ingredients of products, companies are required to give them if you ask for the MSDS sheets. Proctor & Gamble has a page on their website that lists all of their product ingredients, but I don’t know about the others. Glad to know there are so many others going through the same search, but sorry for all the suffering! 🙂
Hello Colin,
Thank you so much for running this web site it is the best I have found for information about UK products causing allergies.
I have sores around my mouth for the last five months and I suspect it may be due to the toothpaste I am using. The fluoride content may be causing this. Have others had this reaction to toothpaste? I was using Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief with Argin until recently and I usually got a little of the foam around the skin at the sides of my mouth when I cleaned my teeth. I have stopped using it but the sores persist. They are dry but still red and spotty.
Also for the last 10 months I have mostly stopped using makeup and skin cream apart from Simple Rich Moisturiser and E45 dermatological cream, because my skin would breakout – I had red itchy tiny spots over my cheeks, and tiny red capillaries would come to the surface of my cheeks, these became red and hot. I noticed this happened whenever I cleaned off the makeup with sensitive cleansing creams! It would take days for the symptoms to subside. My doctor advised using hydro-cortisone cream for a day or two, to calm the skin down and this worked.
I have also found that creams with lemon oils in cause me to feel sensitive and my skin reddens and becomes hot. I have a pale skin and red hair and go freckled in the sun, so I know my skin is sensitive anyway but I did not used to have these problems with allergies.
I started off having these problems a year ago when I used the new formula of L’Oreal Revitalift Anti-Ageing Cream.
I must ask my doctor for an allergy test, he thought he could solve the problems but I think he is wrong.
Can anyone help. I have a severe allergy to Methyliso etc is there anything to take the heat out of the resultant rash. Have tried Hydrocortisone creams and calamine lotions. The sun seems to react with certain products Nivea sun cream, but I thought it was free from Kathons etc Love the web site and help with finding products. Did not realise so many people have the allergy to Methylisothyozolinone
Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with this same allergy and again it is the Huggies Pure wipes that have caused this. The labelling even stipulates that the wipes are as pure and gentle as using water and cotton wool, I find this very misleading. I have found that WaterWipes are very good, they are 99.9% water and 0.01% fruit extract, so no chemicals at all. I have also found that Ecover products are good and Pears hand wash. Thank you for this site, it has been very useful.
I was told by an ER Dr. last year that the condition of my hands and feet were caused by severe chemical burns and that there was no way that I could not remember coming in contact with something that toxic. Well yesterday I was diagnosed with an allergy to Isothiazolinone & Methylisothiazolinone, I still can’t believe how much I suffered the past three years and the amount of money spent on Dr’s. I am so glad I found this website. P.S. I was told by my dermatologist to try the Garnier Fructus line, went to Target and sure enough the shampoo and conditioner do not contain either chemical.
Great to find this site. I ended up in my local A&E department with serious anaphalxis in 2004 after being prescribed the drug Fluconazole for thrush. I was told by the consultant to avoid anything containing the letters: ‘azole’. I thought that would be easy, how wrong was that deduction. I have struggled to find products that don’t contain this rather horrid little demon and my bathroom shelf is almost bare in comparison to 10 years ago. I’ve changed a lot of the way I use products both on my skin and the rinse off variety of washing powders, cleansing wipes, liquid soaps, window cleaning, floor cleaning, fabric conditioners, hair conditioners, shampoo, make up, hair products (it’s in most of them), moisturising creams, hand cream, car cleaning products, shoe polish, furniture polish spray (really bad) are all dead as far as I’m concerned. So, I try and use natural products like white vinegar as a fabric conditioner in the washing machine, helps with the whitening too. Incidentally besides being full of nasty azoles, fabric conditioner also contains highly flammable ingredients that negate fireproofing products and make your clothes easier to burn! Homemade recipes for washing up liquid; there’s loads, try google, just remember that soap suds are actually not necessary, just something we are persuaded by marketing companies that we need. Home made stuff doesn’t produce massive foaming soap but it works. I’ve gone back to the old days of using bicarbonate of soda for cleaning, solid bar soap grated finely and mixed with a few ingredients makes good washing powder; google for recipes. Also, try coconut oil, it is a solid block at room temperature, but if you grab a bit between your fingers and rub it in the palm of your hand it melts easily, or warm gently in a pan, use it on your hair after washing and then rinse off, great conditioner, good for moisturising the skin, cleaning off make up, in fact it’s my miracle product discovery. Here’s a huge list of things you can use it for, and no I don’t sell it, but I do buy a lot of it and there is absolutely NO preservative in it whatsoever.
Uses for Coconut Oil
In cooking as a great oil with a high smoke point. Great for baking, stir-frys or as a dairy free replacement to butter.
Taken supplementally for daily energy.
On the skin as a basic lotion
In homemade lotion bars for soft, smooth skin
In homemade deodorant or deodorant bars
As an eye-makeup remover
As a cloth diaper safe diaper cream (just rub on baby’s bottom)
In making your own Remineralizing Toothpaste
To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin
To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
To support healthy thyroid function
In homemade Mayo without the high PUFA vegetable oils
To help increase sun tolerance and avoid burning
As a naturally SPF 4 sunscreen
In homemade lotion recipes
To get rid of cradle cap on baby- just massage in to head, leave on for a few minutes and gently rinse with a warm wash cloth
Topically to kill yeast or yeast infections
As a delicious tropical massage oil
It’s high Lauric acid and MCFA content helps boost metaboism
A tiny dab rubbed on your hands and then through hair will help get rid of friz
As an intensive nighttime facial moisturizer
Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub (use in the shower)
Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick
Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
Directly on the perineum to help heal after birth
As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner- Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours.
On feet to fight athlete’s foot or tor fungus
In place of Lanolin cream on nursing nipples to sooth irritation (also great for baby!)
Can help sooth psoriasis or eczema
There is some evidence that regular ingestion of coconut oil can help prevent or reverse Alzheimers
With apple cider vinegar as a natural treatment for lice that actually works
In natural Homemade Sunscreen
In healthy brain boosting snack for kids like Coconut Clusters
In a filling and energy boosting Brain Powder Smoothie
Rub coconut oil on the inside of your nose to help alleviate allergy symptoms
Nursing moms can take 3-4 tablespoons a day (and Vitamin D) to increase milk supply and nutrients
There is some evidence that coconut oil helps digestion and may even kill intestinal parasites or yeast
Can help improve insulin levels
Oil pulling with coconut oil and a drop of oregano oil helps improve gum health
Can help improve cholesterol ratios
Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu
As a replacement for vegetable oils in any recipe
Better for high-temperature cooking than olive or vegetable oils
Can help reduce appearance of varicose veins
After initial heat is gone, can help speed healing of sunburn
Is an immediate source of energy when eaten and isn’t stored as fat
As a natural personal lubricant that won’t disturb vaginal flora
As a naturally antibacterial skin cream
In natural homemade diaper cream
As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion
When used consistently on skin it can help get rid of cellulite
To season cast iron skillets
It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help lessen arthritis
Can reduce the itch of mosquito bites
Can help resolve acne when used regularly
Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth
I’ve used in kids ears to help speed ear infection healing
On split ends to de-frizz
A small amount can be rubbed into real leather to soften and condition (shiny leather only… test a small area first)
By itself as a great tanning oil
Mixed with salt to remove dry skin on feet
Can help speed weight loss when consumed daily
Can help improve sleep when taken daily
Can be used to speed healing of fungal infections when taken internally and used externally
A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat
To help sooth the itch of chicken pox or poison ivy
It has been shown to increase absorption of calcium and magnesium
Internally as part of the protocol to help remineralize teeth
Some evidence shows that the beneficial fats in coconut oil can help with depression and anxiety
By itself as a natural deodorant
By itself or with baking soda as a naturally whitening toothpaste
For pets struggling with skin issues when used externally
Some evidence suggests that the beneficial fats in coconut oil are helpful for those with Autism
In homemade vapor rub
As a safe cooking oil for deep frying
A tablespoon taken before each meal can help improve digestion
Can be taken in warm ginger tea to sooth heartburn or nausea
As a completely natural baby lotion
On hands after doing dishes to avoid dry skin
Mixed with catnip, rosemary or mint essential oils as a natural bug repellent
Can be used on mom’s nipple and baby’s mouth to help treat thrush
Many use it as an anti-aging facial moisturizer
Use to make coconut cream concentrate for a brain boosting snack
Can be used internally and externally to speed recovery from UTIs
When taken regularly, it can help fight candida
When taken regularly, it can boost hormone production
Can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically
Can boost circulation and help those who often feel cold
On cuticles to help nails grow
Rub into elbows daily to help alleviate dry, flaky elbows
Add to smoothies to give them a nutritional boost
In any recipes where vegetable oils are used
Whipped with shea butter for a soothing body balm
One reader swears by using coconut oil to treat yeast infection. She suggests soaking a tampon in it and inserting the tampon for a few hours.
Naturally clears up cold sores
Ingesting coconut oil daily can help with allergy symptoms
Ingesting coconut oil daily can increase mental alertness
I realise my comment is awaiting moderation, but one thing I should have mentioned, a rather obvious thing, is that if you are allergic to nuts, please don’t use coconut oil.
brilliant web site have just been diagnosed with methylisothiazoline allergy and i cant beleive it is in everything that i use. but thanks to every1 that has wrote on here to tell you which products to use
very helpful
Thank you for all your comments. I am yet another person diagnosed with the MI allergy. I am furious that it’s in EVERYTHING I buy. I have a HUGE box containing products with these ingredients that is basically garbage and a waste of money. Several products I have found that works are:
– Coconut oil (removal of makeup and as a moisturizer)
– Cetaphil cleanser
– Clinique
My Dr. gave me this website: http:/householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov at the United States Library of Medicine to get more information about products that contain the chemical. Go to the “ingredient” tab, type it in- the list is enormous.
Hope that helps!
Any suggestions for a methylisothiazolinon-free BB cream,suitable for sensitive,oily skin?
Being diagnosed with the MCI allergy over a year ago, I too have cleaned out EVERYTHING I used! Beware of becoming complacent with your “new MCI free” products. I recently discovered ECOS Magnolia & Lilies laundry detergent does have Methylisothiazolinone on the label. It did not when I first switched. My advise is to continue to check the label. I recently broke out in a mad rash that was the worst I’ve ever experienced on my hands, ears, neck & scalp. I was like I slept in my bed with a bushel of Poison Ivy!
Some good soaps and lotions I’ve found free of Methylisothiazolinone: L’Occitane Milk Soap and ONLY the Milk formulation Body Cream, Acquafor, L’Occitane Verbena liquid hand soap (NOT the shampoo or conditioner), Meyers liquid hand soap.
Most Aveeno Shampoo & Conditioners are safe…but NOT the Pure Renewal line. Infusium Shampoo & Conditioner (color-safe) is a good one too. All easy to find at your pharmacy, beauty supply and supermarket stores.
Dish soap: Palmolive Clean & Clear Dish Detergent…safe!
Still searching for hair dye information. this is tricky b/c your color may have it from the brand, but another color may not. So check the label or ask your colorist for the #s they use and find out. I made the mistake of not drilling it down. My last color I jumped out of my seat!!! When my colorist was rubbing in the cream, I thought he lit a match and set my head on fire!!! Needless to say, my bed looked like a crime scene from the blood the MCI reaction 🙁
A tip from Theresa
I too am highly reactive to Methy whatsit and have had my share of unexpected exposure and weeks of healing. Alba Botanica natural Hawaiian shampoo and conditioner, colorific line. Really nice products, they use sodium benzoate. Out of self-preservation, I make my own DIY lotion now.
A question from Lisa
Hi I was wondering if you had any luck identifying a fabric conditioner that does not contain azolinones. I have known about my allergy for over 20yrs and generally have it under control but not yet found a fabric conditioner that I can use. Thanks
We use baking soda for a fabric softener…I was skeptical – but it works wonderfully!! We have a HE front load and add about 2 tablespoonsful to the fabric softener compartment. We also use a powder detergent – Charlies Soap. It works good, too.
You can get a HUGE bag of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda from Costco or Sams for 5-6 dollars…Good Luck.
A Message from Tracy
I have recently developed large itchy blotches over my face and body which are quite unpleasant. I have visited my doctor on many occasions who perscribed me various steroid creams which frankly only made it worse. Reluctantly he referred me to the hospital who again perscribed the same steroid creams and diagnosing me with psoriasis. Nothing has seemed to work and I have now an apt for photo light therapy. In the meantime I have found out that I may be suffering with an alergic reaction to the chemicals MCI & MI in the everyday shampoo and shower washing solutions. I have now begun to use MCI & MI free products and have noticed a marked improvement in my skin. I have found your page a god send to be quite honest as I have had no satisfactory help from my doctor. Keep updating your page as it has helped me immensely. Thanks Tx
Rimmel ‘Gentle’ Eye Make Up Remover, dermatologically tested & supposedly for sensitive eyes – just found it contains methylisothiazolinone, too. Had no idea this was an allergen until recent media publicity. Had used this product as it was non-oily but still effective. Wonder if there’s a better substitute? Have tried Simple eye make up remover but this immediately made my eyes sore, even if it doesn’t contain MI!
Hi Lucy, just to be clear are you saying that you have reaction to the Simple product, which doesn’t contain MI but you don’t have an issue with the Rimmel one which does? If so you are one of the overwhelming majority of people for whom MI is not a problem. It is worth remembering with all the media coverage that we are still talking about something that over 90% of people with eczema serious enough to be referred to a dermatologist don’t have any problem with.
Excellent website, thank you Colin.
I have an allergy to Nivea Sun Cream, firstly I thought the allergy was due to a change in my medical treatment, but no.
Luckly a friend notices that the problems areas, Face, Arms and legs (area that had, had sun cream applied) where I had used Nivea Sun Lotion and after watch “Watchdog” on BBC looked at my lotion as sure enough it was there.
Today I purchased Aussie Miracle Shine Condition and Colour Mate Shampoo, and that contains (MI) this will be returned to the shop on Monday.
I use Dr Hauschka Rode Day Cream, Cleansing Cream and Toner and Bronze concentrate, I have emails them and are awaiting their reply I will let you know.
I have seen 2 Doctors and am seeing another one on Wednesday at present just taking Anti Histamine, Hydrocortisone cream on face and Betnovate on arm,s and Legs.
I also propose to write to my MP and maybe you have already done this but I think we need to set up a Petition to Government when you get a 100,000 it has to be debated in Parliament we need the EU to change its directive which apparently it says it is safe.
I will now have to try and find some of the products you have kindly listed on your website.
Many thanks.
Hello Jill and thanks for the kind words. I don’t think that banning MI is the correct response. It is only a tiny handful of people who are allergic to it, and for the rest of us it is a very good preservative indeed. If it is banned all that will happen is that some other preservative will be used which will cause allergic reactions to a different, quite possibly a larger, group of people. The solution is clearer labelling and a bigger diversity of preservatives being used in mass market products. I know it is hard to believe when you yourself suffer from it, but reactions to this preservative system is actually quite low when you consider how widely it is used. I have not personally ever met someone with an allergy to it. The Watchdog programme left out some important details which I have added here.
http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/methylisothiazolinone-lets-turn-scare-story/
But do share anything you find that might be of help to fellow sufferers.
Thanks for your reply, Colin. Yes, Simple eye make up remover did make my eyes sore, but Rimmel used to be OK. Recently my eyes have started to get sore at night time, though, but didn’t suspect it could be this product which I had been using for some years. I have contacted Rimmel UK – they claimed not to able to find the MI listed in ingredients for that product, but I was able to confirm to them that it is on the bottle, and gave them batch numbers for the couple of bottles I currently have in the house. I did then find some older, empty bottles I had kept (handy to dispense other stuff into when travelling) and, to my surprise, found they did NOT contain methylisothiazolinone! It must therefore be something they have added relatively recently, unfortunately. Have emailed Rimmel to let them know the older batches were MI-free and given them the relevant batch numbers, so will see how they respond. Could explain the recent soreness of the eyes, though!
Hello Lucy,
It sounds like somebody at Rimmel needs to attend my talk on managing Product Information Files next week.
A reaction to MI is an allergic response which typically is intense and short. It wouldn’t be causing your sore eyes, or at least that isn’t the effect it usually has. I wonder if it is some other change that was made at the same time?
A request from Greta
Hello, Thanks for starting this page, its good to know that awareness of this allergy is being highlighted. My daughter suffers from this, and finds it increasingly difficult to wear ordinary makeup.Despite searchingvi am yet to find a range of MI free makeup.Does anyone know of a range? Would be grateful for any help Thanks
Just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has contributed to this page. I cannot decrribe how much of a relief it is to finally see the light at the end of a very dark depressing tunnel. For the past 2 years my face, neck, shoulders, arms and wrists have been covered in sore, red, flaky, blistering patches. I have made countless visits to my GP, a dermatologist and have been sent for patch testing. The patch testing revealed I was sensitive to Nickel and Acrylates which are found in all sorts of products. I have tried my best to avoid contact with these & have had no joy.
My friend mentioned she had seen a lady on BBC’s Watchdog with an identical problem to me – so of course I took straight to Google to look into the MI debate. After reading countless articles & blogs it was obvious that MI was another allergy to add to my list! Upon discovering this info today I have rung my GP to be resent for further testing, I suspect I was not tested specifically for MI last time.
I have recently moved into a new house and have been exposed to paint/wall paper paste – which has lead to huge blisters on my lips and my rash becoming extremely angry looking – the worst I have ever experienced. Upon inspecting the label it has become apparent that the paint contains MI & Acrylates … a lovely combination for us challenged folk!
I cannot wait to get home from work tonight & rid my cupboards of all these horrid products & refill them will all your suggested replacements – THANK YOU EVERYONE & GOOD LUCK :)?
I don’t know anything about this brand, but I am sure Colin’s Beauty Pages readers are savvy enough to make their own judgements.
Hi Colin, As a skincare therapist with over 40 years in the industry and an educator of thousands of therapists, I launched Love Your Skin – London three years ago. We are primarily an on-line business which is increasingly being found in salons. All of the products are methylisothiazolinone free. Please take a look at http://www.lys-london.com in case this is of any help to those seeking a quality MI free skincare range. Kind regards Lorraine (Founder)
Am so thankful I have found this site. My mother was just diagnosed with severe allergies to all of the products she uses in the home including laundry soap, dish soap, shampoo, deoderant, hand lotion after months of misery with horrible skin issues on almost her entire body. She is beside herself trying to figure out where to find items she can use. Hopefully I can bring her some hope knowing that others share her problem and there are products that are available if we can find them. Thanks.
Another tip from David
I use the SIMPLE brand for most of my washing Hair /Body / Hands etc. it works for me, also they make a washing Liquid for clothes. I am Allergic to plants and scents and these items do not have perfumes or alcohol in them. Hope this is useful.
This is a very helpful website. I have just been for patch testing (after a 6 month wait on the NHS) and have been diagnosed as being highly allergic to both of these.
I have spent most of this year feeling very unwell and very down because after going back and forward to my GP, I was told I just had “dry skin”.
Now that I know what I am allergic to, it transpires that my fabric softener contains both of these horrible products. Keep away from “Surcare” if you allergic to these. The fabric softener contains both and it is advertised as being formulated for sensitive skin and eczema with no fragrance etc.
I am now looking forward to hopefully feeling better after months of misery. Thanks for such a useful and informative page.
I’ve just been patch tested and tested positive to
MCI/MI
Nickel
Propyl Gallate
Myroxylon pereirae (Balsum of Peru)
Imidazolidinyl urea/diazolidinyl urea
Incidentally I bought Surcare thinking it would be ok (prior to getting results ) then read ingredients to discover they are both present ! Have now emailed Surcare to voice my disgust over their statement on their products that there is nothing in them to be sensitive to
I have just been patch test positive to Methylchloro isothiazolinone + methyl isothiazolinones .. After swollen itchy eyes and sore face a neck for ages.. Now unsure what I can use for cleansing and make up so a lot of reading I think .. Found this…Great Site .. For Help .. Thank you
I have spent the past 3 months suffering from red, burning, inflamed, itchy face and eyes which has now spread to my neck. Being a very mild eczema sufferer for the past 10 years or so I have normally been able to buy 1% steroid cream over the counter and that has always done the trick! Not this time, I am not sure whether it is connected to a heavy cold/flu like symptoms I had the first week in October and every thing just came out into my system including, conjunctivitis and swollen eye lids. Basically I have been in a mess, affecting my whole life! I was so desperate I paid to see a consultant privately which basically was a waste of £175!! The Diprobase I was prescribed only made me worse I just looked like one big rash all over my face leaving it swollen and very sore. I have spent a fortune on various things to try fortunately some places take stuff back! I can no longer tolerate my Liz Earle products and I have managed to use the Body Shop Aloe Vera products but I must say the best products I have found were Avene sold in Boots, which they also give you samples to try. The cream for irritated skin in wonderful as is there eye cream, I can use the hydrating mask and all of these products are by far the best I have found and certainly cause no irritation. Although I am not cured I am making very slow progress not quite as many flair ups and I am currently sitting today with patches all over my back for testing allergies, get the results on Friday. I have found this website very informative regarding all these MI products and I am hoping that the test will show results although I have never been allergic to anything in my life and have never changed any of my products prior to this massive flair up. My skin has aged and I look 10 years older, I no longer where my contact lenses and hide behind my glasses hoping that you don’t see the baggy eyes underneath! I hope that in time my skin will repair but I suggest to anyone out there suffering go try Avene it may well be your answer is certainly was for me!!
Thanks for that Kathryn. If anyone is suffering from similar symptoms the Avene range is well worth having a look at, with the caveat that we are all different and what works for one person may not work for another. I’d try the basic water spray that they do first since that is the key ingredient.
for the person looking for a sulfate free CI/ME isothiazolinone free shampoo and conditioner, nature’s gate is safe to use, it is about the only one i have found that is free of both. and the person looking for fabic softner, snuggle free and clear sheets do not contain this horrible poison, i even called them to make sure.
Thanks for the comment Brenda. I understand why you might feel strongly about it, but MI isn’t a poison at all, it is an allergen. So if you aren’t allergic to it there is no reason to avoid it. Also the Nature’s Gate products might well be good for you but I wouldn’t recommend them to people who are looking to avoid allergens. They claim to have a high level of organic plant material in them and so there is a higher probability of encountering an allergen with them than with more conventional products.
Hi
Ive been listening to the radio 4 programme this morning about this preservative and it makes a lot of sense now. In recent months I have found wearing mascara makes my eyes itch and swell. I have used max factor mascara for over twenty years with no problems so I am guessing it is something they have added recently. I use the max factor false lash effect one. Someone on here said that Rimmel eye mascara does not have it in. I guess I shall just spend the afternoon reading all the ingredients on different ones but if anyone knows of a similar one that does not have it in that would be great. Its been quite a shocker reading on this site…well done Colin. Thanks a lot.
Thanks for the kind words Ella, and I am glad you are finding my blog helpful. You never know with these things, but I would be surprised if you have a problem with MI based on what you have said. MI is in so many products I would have thought you’d have had some other issues. Mascara can be irritating purely because of the particles it contains.
I am allergic to METHYLISOTHEAZOLINONE , nickel, tea tree oil, latex, rubber and too many chemicals to list. I even get hives from knicker elastic! So I wear no make up at all, nor deodorants ( which in the 1970 s were thought to cause breast cancer). However, I haven’t ceased to wear knickers! I can use Simple moisturiser, Organic Aloe Vera shampoo and conditioner, Ecover washing up liquid and their un-perfumed laundry liquid. I haven’t found a hand cream that removes eczema successfully and wish that chemicals were written in 20 point script!
I recommend avoiding all makeup. I’ve never worn it and at 70 have glowing wrinkle free facial skin. Remember that chemicals just feed a fat cat industry at the expense of our health. These dangerous chemicals stay in our kidneys, brains and nervous system.
Stick with French bar soap.
Thank you for this site. I am marking it as a favorite! Nice to know I’m not alone with this weird allergy. I have found out MI in linen deodorizer/room spray as well as cleaning products and almost everything I was using on my body.
I purchased a few products online from a company called Lush before finding out about my allergy. They only have a few actual stores in the states. I just recently revisited their website http://www.lushusa.com and was pleased to not find one product containing the offending ingredients. They claim the be fresh, handmade, and organic…
I placed a large order. Fingers crossed.
Hi Colin
Like everyone else with comments about methy…………one etc, I have had the same terrible problems with my skin, mainly my face.
I have found this ‘ingredient’ in Clairol Nice’n’easy hair colour No. 106 (now 8.1) Natural Ash Blonde. It desn’t appear in the ingredients of the actual colour, but is in the conditioner, which didn’t appear on the packageing, but I found it on their web site.
The conditioner can be brought seperately, so be careful.
I have a 2 year old grandson who I often have to ‘wet wipe’ and have also used Huggies pure which have been mentioned previously. Can anyone suggest a hair colour and conditioner that doesn’t contain Meth……………one.? Also, if this ingredient is in products used by friends, relatives etc, what advise would you give if visiting their homes?
Thanks
Sue
I’ve been trying to spread the word about this because i am FURIOUS and came across this site – TRESemme, which has been free of MCI & MI all this time, changed their formula at the end of the year and now every single one of their products contains it! UGH. I found out the hard way – they didn’t change their bottle or announce their new formula – just changed the cap color to black. So that someone like me who has been using TRESemme for year due to my terrible allergy has to find out the hard way – when my lips, tongue and throat swelled up after my shower. Just a warning to anyone who is currently using TRESemme products and plea from me to you to go to their site or call their customer service to complain so we can get the old MCI & MI free formula back. Thanks!
Sign the petition to ban this chemical. 100,000 signatures needed by Feb 2014. Please help and share this link.
Jamie is of course entitled to his opinion, but a ban on this preservative would not be a good idea. The problem people with allergies suffer from is a lack of alternatives. If you ban one chemical it will be replaced with others which will also cause allergic reactions. MI/MCI does not cause an unusually high number of reactions. The problem is that it is used too widely, not that it is intrinsically worse than anything else.
Do you have a list of products which either DO NOT have Methylchloroisothiazolinone/Methylisothiazolinone (in particular shampoo/conditioner and deodorants) in them or a list of products that ‘do’ have it in them. In the UK. Thank you.
‘I think’ I am allergic to Methylchloroisothiazolinone/Methylisothiazolinone, though I haven’t been tested. Just from my husband listening to the programme on Radio 4 last month and people’s systems regarding their eyes sound very similar to my own. How do I go about getting tested to actually ‘know’ I am allergic to this? Does my doctor refer me to an eye hospital/specialist? I did see a doctor at a hospital about a year ago but he wasn’t very sympathetic and just said you will have this for the rest of your life! Didn’t look into what I may be allergic to. However when I went for the appointment my eyes had actually cleared up for a few days! So can you only be tested for a specific allergy when you have the problem flared up? Can you pay privately to be tested for this? If so, how much and who do you contact? Jackie
Hello Jackie, anybody can become allergic to anything anytime. MI is one possibility but there are plenty of other allergens out there. The quickest way to get to the bottom of it is to get a patch test. This is something your GP can refer you for and is usually carried out by a dermatologist. And although it is certainly one possible explanation, it is also possible that you don’t have an allergy at all if it is only your eyes that are affected. I don’t have a list of UK MI free products I am afraid. I am hoping to create one – that is one of the things I want to do with the help of the people who are signing up to my sensitive skin newsletter.
Thank you Colin… would the patch test give an explanation of what I am allergic to? Eg if it is Methylchloroisothiazolinone/Methylisothiazolinone? At least then I would know to be able to avoid whatever it is I am allergic to. I feel I must be allergic for something for my eyes to flare up as often as they do? I have eczema on my hands and have had since I was a child. I had heard that people who are allergic to Methylchloroisothiazolinone/Methylisothiazolinone are usually people who suffer form eczema or have very sensitive skin?
So me and my baby are both allergic to methylisothiazolinone. It’s odd because I wasn’t 5 years ago with my first son. But what I read said the reactions are worse now because they have upped the amount in baby wipes tremendously. So my question is are there any wipes in the u.s. That don’t have it or have a smaller amount I could try?? Appreciate any help!
Thanks Alexis. I am afraid I don’t know of any, nor anywhere that such information would be made public. But thanks for your comment, it did make me think about the issue and inspired a blog post on MI containing baby wipes. I am hoping when I get my sensitive skin newsletter up and running we might be able to exchange info about this kind of thing.
For laundry, I have been making my own concoction with no reactions for about 3 years. I keep a container for each in the laundry room with its own spoon and it has saved us lots of money also.
for the soap dispenser:
1 T borax
1 T washing soda
1 tsp. grated Fels Naptha bar soap
for the fabric softener dispenser:
1/3 c vinegar
Also Salon Selectives shampoo and conditioner are made in Canada and are MCI/MI free, and a good alternative for the budget as well.
I agree with other comments regarding Palmolive Pure & Clear/and the Burt’s Bees products. As soon as I switched dish soap & shampoo brands, my hands cleared up in a matter of days.
My doc also helped me set up on the CARD site (they have an iPhone app too) and it’s been a sanity saver!
Thanks for being a good gathering place & resource ~ cheers!
I had skin patch tests in December and I am allergic to Ethylenediamine, Nickel, Colophonium (Rosin) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone. I have had raw skin on my fingers for over 3 years now my face swells my eyes get so sore I often cry, and my mouth has been split cracked red swollen for over 2 years, often with yellow matter spots on my lips, (along with dermatitis on my back arms elbows feet and behind my ears and neck) , no cream from the doctor helps I even have to have non latex rubber gloves to wash up. I know a lot of things to avoid as I have worked it out over the years (have suffered with eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis for over 30 yrs) . I think my toothpaste is making my mouth worse but can’t find one that helps can anyone recommend one please, (In the UK )
Hi I have just been diagnosed as MCI/MI intolerant. I have found this website very useful to a novice allergy victim!
My favourite perfume is Coco Chanel mademoiselle, Does anyone know if this is MCI/MI free. The bottle does not indicate ingredients.
Thanks
Fine fragrances have a high alcohol content and so don’t need preservatives. You should be okay.
My mother ‘phoned yesterday to tell me about an article she had read in the paper concerning MI and thought that I should know about it. Googled and your wonderfully, informative site came up. I’ve not been to any GP about the problem (mainly hands), but am fairly sure that I have an allergy to this product as my symptoms are those of most of your readers. After having a very ‘robust’ skin all my life and never wearing gloves, over the last year or so the skin on my hands has become dry, split, peeling and my nails are also suffering – even running warm water over them is now painful. I have copied and pasted a list of recommended products and will try to restock my supplies when next I shop. I did notice that no-one had mentioned Avon products at all – does anyone have information on these? Thank you Colin for going to all the trouble of producing and updating this site – it really is very helpful.
Caraoline
I have suffered with what I thought was severe Palmer eczema on my hands for 4 years..prescribed steroid creams from doctors & even had puva treatment at hospital which did not work…I was given an article about methlylisothiazolinone & I stopped using all products that contained this & just in 4 days my hands have improved I no longer have to wear my cotton gloves or have my hands bandage up for days on end thank you Colin for all your information on this website it has changed my life so much, but can anyone recommend a sun tan lotion that does not contain this horrible stuff?
Today is 2/14/14 and I was diagnosed by a skin path that I am allergic to Isothiazolinone and MCI and also to Wool alcohols(or lanolin) and found that mostly everything I used have those chemical in them. I am looking for a safe sunscreen that will do the job, I burn so easily. I would appreciate any help that could be given. I have had a miserable skin rash for over two years and found that Eucerin lotion was one of the big problems. I now use just vaseline on my arms. I have found that as we age, we become more sensitive to the chemicals.
I’ve just woken up to the fact that the incredibily itchy red welts and rash on my back have been caused by my continued use of two hair products called Head and Shoulders that are sold in Australia. Both contain methylchloroisothiazolinone and its sister chemical methylisothiazolinone. Both these chemicals have been banned for use in cosmetics in Canada and most likely will soon be recommended by the British Association of Dermatologists that they be banned in the UK. If you have sensitive skin like me throw any product that contains either of these chemicals in the bin. (You’ll need a strong magnifying glass to read all the ingredients on the label though!).
Thanks Moss. A couple of clarifications. Head and Shoulders is a single product. Canada hasn’t banned those preservatives. The British dermatologist who has highlighted the problem is calling for restrictions on the use of this ingredient not an outright ban. There is no reason to avoid things if you are not allergic to them. But thanks for the tip about using a magnifying glass.
Thanks Colin for all the tips/ advice.
I have been in touch with a number of cosmetic companies since my results and by far Le Roche-Posay is up there with the best! They produce a full suite of MCI/MI free products. Some of the larger pharmacies carry their range ie Boots etc, otherwise they can be contacted on line.
I continue to search for a range of lipsticks that I can use, so if anyone has found a range let us know.
Ta again for sharing
TD
Hi again,
I thought I’d give an update 3 months on from my patch testing. I have researched products that are free from these preservatives and thought I’d share.
I found a website that makes all sorts of skin care, shower gel, beauty products that specifically states all their products are free from: Sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate, parabens, lanolin, phthalates, propylene glycol, alcohol (ethyl alcohol, ethanol), harsh foaming agents, synthetic fragrances, irritating emulsifiers, PABA-sunscreen, petrochemicals, colourants, urea, DEA, TEA or PEG’S.
If you then choose each product it states what is definitely not in it eg a face cream is made without Parabens, Lanolin, alcohol (ethyl alcohol, ethanol), artificial perfumes, petrochemicals, methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, phthalates and colourants.
The website is http://www.greenpeople.co.uk It isn’t cheap but still cheaper than fancy face creams with a lot of rubbish in them!
Another great website I have found is Violets Natural Laundry. Laundry liquid with no chemicals or rubbish: http://www.homescents.co.uk/PBCPPlayer.asp?ID=1000297
I have been using the laundry liquid since December and it works well. They also sell shampoo, cleaning products etc.
I hope this is helpful to anyone else with this allergy.
We have used the Aromababy wipes from Australia. The entire range does not contain MI or parabens (think also free from alcohol and artificial fragrance?) Other products we have used are their Pure Hair Cleanse and Barrier Balm which helped clear up our baby’s rash overnight. Their website is http://www.aromababy.com
Watch out for the Hypoallergenic Wipes and SunScreen labeled with the Walgreens brand they both have it. Sunscreen isn’t really a rinse off product either….
Took me years to narrow down what was causing the rash on my hands: Baby wipes and liquid soaps. Finally figured it out through a lot of trial and error and through avoiding both my hands went back to healthy. Latex gloves for baby wipes and Dial Gold bar soap for washing, though all this time no idea what was causing it. Through trial and error I’ve found the cheap Suave shampoos to be fine, the $1/bottle stuff, I’ll have to check the label to make sure. I’m sure the vast majority of people don’t have a problem with it, and I had 4 kids in diapers when the rash presented, so I’m sure I used a lot more wipes and liquid soap than most people. Still, nice to know I’m not the only one.
I believe most of the Vanicream line is free of methylchloroisothiazolinonemethylisothiazolinone. They sell it at Amazon and I think Walgreens. But you can see the entire line and all of the ingredients for each product on the Drugstore website: http://www.drugstore.com/vanicream/qxb9079?aid=336064&aparam=vanicream&scinit1=vanicream&gclid=CK-gwriNsL0CFY1xOgod920ANQ
At last a site with some information about the probable cause of my itchy and patchy skin. This started about 14 months ago. I was diagnosed to have keratosis due to aging and wear of the skin. Quite reasonable as I have been wearing it for 77 years and have exposed it to the sun in the many and varied locations that I have lived in around the world. However, the itching has been intolerable as also have the rashes. Depriving myself of various foodstuffs to check on allergies proved inconclusive and belatedly I decided that it was likely to be a contact problem. Reading various articles, I had decided that methylisothiazolinone was the likely culprit and so it is, because with decreasing contact itching has decreased. The problem remains, however. Its ubiquity in detergents, creams, shampoos, shower gels, conditioners etc. is amazing and appalling. I do not use womens’ cosmetics but I have read a few of the formulations and there is definitely a problem there. As I was previously an Organic chemist, I consulted the Wikipedia to ascertain its structure and properties. What I read there is far from reassuring particularly the section on neurotoxicity. The chloro and benzyl analogs are possibly even more toxic. I should be more than happy to sign and support any petition against their continued use. Presently, I am using the Holland and Barratt Dr. Organic range of shower gels, shampoos and conditioners claimed to be free of all artificial chemical preservatives also the Simple range of products. I check the formulation of everything we purchase but think that many are incomplete or misleading.
Best regards – keep up the good work.
I have only found your article today while searching for articles to link to in my post…
So far I found only couple of products in UK that are 100% MIT free: Dr. Organic range, Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturizer, Simple Kind To Eyes Eye Make Up Remover, Halos N Horns range for kids… still struggling with the eczema but after eliminating most of the products containing MIT I’m much less itchy…
I have been reading all the posts on this site since returning from the hospital today, where I have been for the results of a resent patch test. I too am allergic to methychloro isothiazolinone and methyl isothiazolinone or better known as Kathon CG. Despite never hearing of the chemical before today, I now feel that I am quite knowledgeable and have a long list of products that are free of these preservatives.
A huge thank you Colin for being bothered to set up this website to help others, you are a god send and thank you to all the other people who have taken the time to shared their stories.
I began about 14 months ago with an itchy rash on my face and neck, by the morning, my eyes were swollen shut and my face was unrecognisable. I had used my partners Nivea lotion, as I had run out of my own moisturiser. This was the trigger for my ongoing reaction and sure enough MI is one of its ingredients.
I am taking all the recommendations on board and off shopping for new products.
Thanks all
Tina
After 3 years of intense suffering I have finally been diagnosed as having the allergy to Isothiazolinone / Kathon / MCI / MI. I now have a long road ahead of me to recover from the effects of massive cortisone ointments and a barrier breakdown. It has been so wonderful to stumble on this website and see that there are others with a similar allergy and that I’m not just referred to ” the woman who wears the white gloves”.
I found a shampoo and conditioner that are totally free of sulphates parabens and the dreaded MCI/MI and that is Moroccan Oil. Sold at most hairdressers.
A really good hand regime is from the Body Shop,
Hemp Moisturising Hand Wash
Hemp Hand Protector Cream in combination with Hemp Hand Oil
My specialist today has recommended that I use only the Dermaveen range for 1 month as this is totally free from anything nasty, to see if this reduces the severity of my allergy. This allergy and the effects that it has can be so depressing and reduce your to tears not only with the pain but also the skin shedding embarrassment. Hopefully I can report in a month that I am recovering 🙂
I’m really grateful to all your postings that offer so much wonderful & helpful information. I really makes the trip to the supermarket so much easier.
thank you all
Kim
Thanks everyone for your advice and comments. I am so glad to find this support and information after also being patch tested and finding I am allergic to Methylisothiazolinone, Methylcholorisothiazolinone and Hexadydrotristriazine/Hydroxyethyltriazine. Does anyone have any experience with the last one? I haven’t found it yet but just found out a few days ago. Unfortunately my Aveda eyemakeup remover and shampoo had the MITs as well as my Sainsburys dish washing liquid. I hope to find an Aveda shampoo without this preservative because I really like their products. The makeup and conditioners are free of it. Sounds like it is best to avoid SLSs and parabens while I am clearing out. It sure is a steep learning curve! Thanks Colin for this place to find information.
Erin, UK
I have found a product that doesn’t contain CI+Me-Isothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone and lanolin: it is Free and Clear for shampoo, conditioner, hair spray and VANICREAM is the name used for liquid cleanser, bath oil skin cream, lite lotion, lip protectant spf 30, shave cream and sunscreens. Our little drugstore in my small town carries these products and I looked everywhere in Dallas Texas and finally found free and Clear in Walgreens. Your drugest or store can order these products and they feel good on the skin. This product is made in Rochester, MN, or you can call 1-800-325-8232. Also Indigo Wild and their product name of Zum is also good, they make good laundry soap and creams, but have scents in them and that can burn when you put on a cream on your broken out skin. I have looked and looked for products and thus far this is what I have found. I hope this will help someone else. God Bless.
Patch testing has revealed that I am allergic to methyl…one & balsam of Peru. this website has been so helpful for advise and products to use, so thank you all for your stories. I have been intensely suffering from cracked, dry, painful & itchy hands. Dr’s gave cortisone and other creams to little effect. I have found that applying Vaseline and wearing cotton gloves the best way to keep hands hydrated. I hope to pass on some good news soon as I eliminate this allergen from my household.
Following patch testing I find that am allergic to isothiazolinone products and perfumes.
I now have problems with finding suitable shaving creams or gel. I was using Simple shave gel, which was made in Turkey and sold in Boots. However it is now no longer available anywhere in the shops or on line and has disappeared from the Simple website. Does anyone have any suggestions for an alternative please?
I got this e-mail from Di
An outstanding product is EUBOS solid washing bar. It is a blue bar of substitute soap. You need to keep the bar away from lying in water as it dissolves easily. I use it instead of soap to wash my hands and to scrub stains off blouse collars. EUBOS LIQUID skin cleansing emulsion is also excellent. I use this as shampoo. EUBOS SENSITIVE SHAMPOO is also good but has some Sodium Benzoate in it so needs longer rinsing. I use this about one in five hair washes. For over 60 years I have hunted a good soap substitute to help control severe eczema flares and these top the list. Mercifully free of MI and MIT. My local chemist orders it for me and now others show interest. Well worth trying. I even wash some clothes using the EUBOS liquid. The products are not cheap but you only need tiny amounts. Warning read the label of ALL other brands of liquid hand washes – most contain MI or MIT or both and wet wipes are disastrous! Hope this is of some help. Di
I am allergic to Methylisothiazolinone and Sodium Metabisulfite and have been using Simple Shaving gel up until now but it is no longer being made. Does anyone know any alternatives of what I can use
I have recently undergone patch testing so I’m now scouring my products to see if this substance is contained in any of them. I’ve found it in Lush Snow Fairy Shower gel ( not sure about the rest of their products as I only have this one at the minute) and also in some L’Oreal shampoos but not the conditioner. Hope this helps others.
Since posting yesterday I have recurved the news I’m also allergic to balsum of peru and should try a diet which is free of this substance. I’ve found loss of things saying what I can’t eat (vague hints at things with spices and fruit peel) but can’t find anything to suggest things you can still have. Most things I’d be ok with but I found a reference to coffee! I can’t live without my coffee! Any top tips guys and girls?
I have suffered for soooo long with an excruciating breakdown of the skin on my hands. Just now I am figuring out that it most likely is a reaction to this methylisothiazolinone in baby wipes! On one hand, I am ecstatic about hope of getting my hands back but on the other hand I am ANGRY that they put this stuff in products. This, at times, has been downright debilitating at the worst time in my life when I’m caring for my little ones. Thank you for posting the information.
Just found out I’m allergic to Cl+ Me– Isothiazolinone. Here’s what I’ve found to be free of The Devil (US products): Tom’s of Maine; Nature’s Gate; Kiss My Face; Burt’s Bee; JASON products; most Aveeno products. Nivea Sensitive Facial Bar has been a God-send.
Hello! Thank you for this amazing site. Just wanted to pass on that Bath and Body Works’ hand soaps all contain Methylisothiazolinone (even their new non-anti bacterial ones). Boo! Such a shame. Currently I am just using Softsoap. I also just bought a bunch of Garnier Fructis shampoo and conditioners as they are Methylisothiazolinone -free! 🙂
I have found that Pampers sensitive dose not have Methylisothiazoline in it as well as Nivea sensitive body wash…. Still working on other products but unfortunately I am allergic to parabens and formylide as well…. (spelling is off)
Hello,
I’m looking for sulfate free hair shampoo and body wash/shower gel without perfume, color and parabens, for itchy scalp and sensitive skin.
Sincerely,
Ali
Hi, after patch testing in June 2013 I discovered I was highly allergic to MI and MCI following months of facial swelling, redness, itchy spots and blotches, yellow seepage and swollen eyes, to such an extent that I ended up in A&E in Jan 2013 and started first course of prednisolone and antihistamines, of which several more were to follow. The preservatives were in my Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner, and since switching to Loreal Elvive I have been mostly symptom free.
I say mostly, because although I’ve completely removed these preservatives from all the toiletry, cosmetic and cleaning products in our house, I still have a flare up every time we paint. I’ve had confirmation from Dulux and Crown that MI is in their water based paints, but also reacted to Wickes paint last year and am currently experiencing another flare up from using Berger paint nearly two weeks ago. The reaction is getting worse and I started a short course of prednisolone this morning as steroid cream is doing nothing. I realise that there is a campaign underway for paint companies to list MI on the tin, but in the meantime does anyone know of any paint products which do not use this preservative? My google searches over the past 12 months have revealed nothing and I’m starting to wonder if there are any! Any responses much appreciated.
Hi Andrea, I don’t know if you have seen this post http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/mi-paint/
Hi, this is an amazing site!
The last 8 years I have had problems with allergic reactions to schampoo, conditioner and liqiuid soaps. I dont use any make up, never colour my hair and yeah I look like a mess ( hehe).
Anyway..my scalp was burning everytine I had washed it. So I started washing it with baking powder/water, rince with water and the last rince with vinegar. Ahh, my scalp is now free from clogs, and all the burning sensation. I’ts called ” no poo” washing.
I can use Dr. Bronners Liquid soap for dishes, clothes, my body and on the dog 🙂
Body Shop is the only place were I can get body butter and face creams that doesn’t make me break out and feel sick.
I live in Sweden and can’t find many of the products listing here.
But we do have La Roche-Posay at the pharmacy 🙂
Again, thank you!
I use Original Source shower gel and hand soap.
Hello,
Thank you for this info, I’m from Milwaukee, but live in England. Just before I heard of this chemical and reaction, my brother in law painted his ceiling one night in his bedroom (windows open), went to sleep and woke up with every part of him that wasn’t covered during sleeping in the most scary rash that burned, pussed when itched and was burning. When he went to the doc’s they sent him to a dermatologist, but the waiting lists are so long by the time he got in it cleared mostly up. HOWEVER, during the time when we were waiting, there was a program on BBC (Watch Dog) with Ann Robinson (you are the weakest link-goodbye), that had the exact scenario with someone else that painted and woke up in a ‘rash’. Here’s the link for the show and the information that is collected so far containing product information for the paint manufacturers that admit to this being in, but by law they don’t have to disclose.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5K5XTnFxftQWkGhvKDzVbYg/methylisothiazolinone-mi-update
I hope this helps someone because my brother in laws reaction was scary and I wouldn’t be surprised if this kills people ultimately with the build up and the amount of products that have this in it. :-/
I am also patch tested for the MCI etc allergy. We had the plaster removed from our ceilings and replastered. I ended up at the hospital with extreme skin issues and because of the dust also throat and nose problems. I was tested for the allergy and it was in the plaster and then in the water based paint used elsewhere.
I have since moved from the UK to Australia for work reasons. I am trying to find products here in Australia that are free from this preservative. As a female I am looking for makeup, skin care and hair colour as well as household products. I see that you are starting a list of free from products. I am curious as to whether there is a way that we can put together something that we can all add our “finds” to and that can be shared without you having to do all the work.
In addition are there any other sufferers out there based in Australia to share knowledge?
Brilliant informative website , thank you so much everyone x
I am looking for a shampoo and conditioner that has no MI or MCI and no Sulphate. I live in Durban SA.
Hi Rose, I suggest you sign up for my newsletter where I am collating lists of MI free products people have sent me.
http://colinscosmeticconsultancy.us3.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=e2e9a789f003d1595bdb2b897&id=0406a9117d
Hi Colin,
Was really informative to read all the messages about this allergy to isothiazoline. Like a lot of the messages I too was given a patch test to confirm this allergy. I cannot believe how many people suffer from this allergy. It is not very pleasant and it is good to know that I am not alone in suffering with this allergy. The site is very interesting and has lots of useful tips in dealing with this awful allergy. Keep up the good work and many thanks to all the useful comments left by your readers.
Simple must have changed their policies- Very first simple product I looked up on Amazon contained it 🙁
http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Face-Care-Trial-Set/dp/B00BX9GLIM/ref=sr_1_3?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1412611561&sr=1-3&keywords=simple
The store brand soaps, shampoos, lotions, sunscreens from CVS pharmacy appear (for now) to be good. The Walgreens brand dish soap as well. Honestly, dish soap is my bugaboo. Many soaps don’t list what’s in them and the ones that do have the dreaded substance.
Yes Karen you are right. Simple use different preservatives in different markets. I picked this up a while back. http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/simple-vital-vitamin-day-creamvital-vitamin-day-cream-spf-15-product-review-2/
A reminder to check the medicinal AND non-medicinal ingredients. I was still using Neutrogena cc cream after finding out I was allergic to methylso.., because only the medicinal ingredients were printed on the container.
The Palmolive Ultra Pure + Clear Concentrated Dish Liquid that you have said to be a good one came up with an “F” rating on the Environmental Working Group site. The “colors, methanol and fragrance rated D’s and F’s. That is the worst rating. I am a little confused.
The Environmental Working Group is a very poor source of information and is best ignored. I have criticised it in many posts but this one is particularly illuminating about just how useless they are http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/if-you-take-the-skin-deep-database-seriously-read-this/
Several of our clients have asked us to make ourselves known to people who are sensitive to MIT / MCI / MI as we are one of the few (maybe only) paint company that makes paints without any in – we use natural raw materials. We do have a couple of adhesives and a primer that have 0.01-0.02% in but we will happily identify these products to you and advise an alternative option where possible. Please feel free to contact us for more information. http://www.auro.co.uk
Anyone found a bar soap without MIT / MCI / MI?
Most bar soaps are self preserving, so most don’t contain MI or indeed anything else.
I’ve had very good results with Paula’s Choice sensitive skin line. All their ingredients are listed on their website and if you have a reaction they will refund your money or help you find something else that will not react. They are very helpful and the online community gives a ton of information.
Due to methyl.. allergy, I was prescribed Protopic. I’ve developed hypopigmentation – a few white patches on my face. Does anyone know which ingredients in cosmetics or medication may have caused this? Any suggestions to fix the problem?
I Had skin patch testing done in January ’15. I have an allergy to MI/MCI.
After have on and off again swollen eyes with contact dermititis under my eyes and eye lids I finally was given the name of an allergist who does skin patch testing.
I’ve been told that a memory forms in the spot where the dermititis first appears therefore when I come in contact with this chemical on any part of my body, the dermititis will appear around my eyes. This has been very upsetting for me because the skin in spots around my eyes are red and skin is peeling off.
They gave my a PDF of safe products I can use.
I would attach it but I have no to do so.
I can’t believe that some companies calling them selves natural, (Norwex) are using these chemicals in their laundry and dishwashing soap!
In the US, indgredients do not have to be listed on cleaning products.
I wish there was a group to push for legislation to out law this chemical.
Hello Penny, to defend the natural companies using MI/MCI – regular readers will know I don’t defend the natural product sector very often – you can make a good case that this is an environmentally friendly ingredient. As to outlawing it, it would be good for people to whom it poses a problem but would create a probably bigger group of different people who are allergic to its replacement. I am sure the key is better labelling. Thanks for sharing your experience and the warning about Norwex will help some people.
About a year ago my palms started itching. Well, you know what’s been said about that being a sign that you are going to get some money? I am still waiting! Instead nine months later, my hands began to swell, get red, itch like mad and flack and crack. After suffering for what seemed like an eternity the dermatology clinic that I was going to did a patch test. I came back positive for being allergic to CL+ME-ISOTHIAZOLINONE. That stuff in is everything. As I write this, my hands are still under attack and my hands are very swollen, cracked and painful. Hopefully as more and more people become aware of this terrible chemical additive the manufacturers that use this in their products will stop putting it in their personal care products. Only becoming aware of this and no longer using these products will compel them to remove it.
Patch test positive to MCl, MI, nickel and gold. Thank you to all those posting experiences with the allergy issues and treatments. Much appreciate all suggestions for safe products to use. My doc prescribed Elidel cream to heal skin lesions. Working well. I found many products that are triggers for me. DON’T use Method dish soaps, Eucerin creams, Aveeno Moisturing face Cream, Pert shampoo. DO use Hair One shampoos, Cetaphil Gentile Cleanser is OK, but not all Cetaphil is safe. Cosmetics that are safe include MAC and Yonka skin care line, but I always double check ingredients to be sure because companies change formulas with out warnings.
Many hair coloring products don’t contain Methylisothiazolinone, but the conditioning after-color in the little tube DOES have it in there. Just need to use a safe, conditioning cream rinse after coloring, and it will probably be ok. My hands were in shreds for years until I learned about MI, and it’s horrible effects. The steroids I had to use from the dermatologist (who is clueless about MI) have now made the skin on both hands so thin, that I wear gloves to protect them from all he sharp edges out there. Spray paint really sets of a horrific reaction, as it’s full of it. My hands are much better now, but are still peely, and crack sometimes, after they callus up. My cotton gloves may be a permanent part of my outfit, so I bought a bunch of really nice ones. Amazon sells them by the dozen, and the black ones actually look good, when coordinated with other clothing. Being a piano player in a band, I have really been through it, but the gloves make it possible for me to function. It’s Criminal what companies are doing to innocent people just to save money! They know better than to use MI in leave-in products, (it’s in the instructions from Dupont aka Dow, aka Pittsburgh Paints) but they don’t care about the people they are literally crippling with this toxic biocide. I’m waiting for the Big Class Action Lawsuit, and will jump on the bandwagon when the time comes. Take lots of pictures during flare-ups, they just might come in handy. In my opinion, somebody should change the name of this situation to “Flesh Eating Chemical Allergy” or something that would actually get the ATTENTION of the world. That’s when we’ll see a change. By the way, I find that Aubrey shampoo & cream rinse is ok, also Exederm has good products that work. Bare Minerals are particular with their products, and I’ve had great results with their “Mineralixer” Eye cream. Ponds used to be good, but after 2010, it makes my eyelids swell up and turn red. MI is not listed in their ingredients, but I’ll bet it’s in there! Weleda cold cream is great, and available on Drugstore dot com. I’m also wondering if Microban used in shoe insoles is making my toes numb….???? I can’t find any info on his, but Microban IS actually Triclosan, another biocide, and they mix it in with the material in the insoles, so it’s always present next to your skin. Vionic sandals are awesome, but contain this Microban stuff. What a world! Thanks for all your posts and information, I will keep you all in my prayers. : )
The effects that people with this allergy have should not be minimized! This is a serious huge problem! For people who want a good support group to talk to people who have this terrible allergy and share info and find safe products see this Facebook page. There you will find a wealth of support from people who understand the pain and suffering we are enduring. It has been both physically and emotionally damaging! Thank you so much for this page Colin. https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=307128722674171
Sadly, the All Free and Clear liquid laundry detergent sold at Costco as of May 2015 contains methylisothiazolinone. I’ve got head-to-toe hives from it, especially on parts that wear more than one layer of clothes; I patch-tested strongly positive for MI sensitivity in Fall 2013. On the Sun Corp. website there’s a link where you can check the ingredients for different UPC codes of All Free and Clear: http://www.sunproductscorp.com/MSD_Sheets.aspx
Thanks Kathleen – it is really helpful. I’m guessing you are from America, but for other people reading this there is no guarantee that CostCo in other countries uses the same formulations as they use in their home market.
Just wanted to know if anyone has had problems with TRESemmé Shampoo and/or Conditioner regarding hair loss?
I have been using this for years but back in 2009 I started suffering from breathlessness and it was diagnosed as Asthma even though the Doctors weren’t 100% sure at the time.
Have used Inhalers until 2013 when I was rushed to A&E because it was thought I was having a stroke. No stroke but sent home and have since had symptoms ie extreme fatigue, loss of coordination, allergies,etc etc…was thought it to be Thyroid but all tests have come back normal.
From then on I have been back to my Doctors with more problems and have seen many Consultants and are now awaiting more appointments to see what the problem could be.
I can only think it may be something to do with Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone.
I am due to see a Dermatologist in two weeks and will ask for a test as I am now suffering huge hair loss since March 2015 and can only link that to a change of toothpaste Sensodyne Repair & Protect Whitening.
Does Sensodyne Repair & Protect Whitening contain Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone…and if so could an overload of these awful substances be to blame for my ever increasing health problems.
My face is constantly swollen and in the mornings my lips look like they have had fillers injected in to them…to be honest I haven’t felt well since 2009.
Looking on the internet it seems like Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone are the major cause of lots of problems.
All advice appreciated.
Thanks
This is all really helpful. After several months of a recurring itchy rash on my face and swollen, sore eyes – and 3 doctors having no idea of what might be causing it – my wonderful local chemist suggested it might be methylisothazolinone. On checking several of the products I was using, and stopping them, it has cleared up almost overnight. I am finding it time-consuming to find products without this, but have found that Timotei shampoo and conditioner are fine.
After I discovered my allergy to methylisothiazolinone, I’ve made a small list of cosmetics/soaps that I can use safely. I highly recommend anything from LUSH as they avoid all these chemicals and their stuff is amazing. Pick up one of their catalogues in the store or look online to find out more. Also, as previously mentioned, Nivea cream is safe to use as well, and I actually apply it after an allergic reaction (after washing what it was off) and it helps moisturizer and soothe the burning area. Baby lotion is also safe for me, and I only use that or LUSH products for moisturizing my body. Hope I am of some help, I’m only 17 but I’m very invested in what I put in my body and I’m hoping to make a career out of making it safer (chemical engineering!)
Good to hear you plan to go into science Michelle, best of luck with your career.
I stick to all products from The Honest Company. From household cleaners to personal care non of them have the dreaded stuff.
VO5 Shampoos are cheap and MI free. Other shampoos don’t give a strong reaction like hand soaps and baby wipes do, but after switching to VO5 my back doesn’t itch like it used to. 🙂
Thanks to this website, I’ve learned that Dawn liquid dish soap contains MCI-I hadn’t thought to check! My problem area is my face, but perhaps I am transferring the MCI with my hands. So frustrating!
Hi, Thanks for all this information, I was diagnosed yesterday to be allergic to Mehylchloroisothiazolinone (and) methylisothiazolinone.
I have found a shampoo and conditioner that do not have MCI/MI listed, it is Rahua, Cethapil ultra hydrating for dry and sensitive skin is good too. Does anybody knows about brands that are safe in toilet paper and paper towels?
Thank you, Colin, for this website; am writing now through eyes almost completely swollen shut from MCI/MI allergy which has just been confirmed through patch testing. As others have well noted, this ingredient is in just about everything! Doctor suggests Vanicream (available on drugstore.com), which I’m about to try; I will report back. Just wanted to say thanks to you for the site and to all U.S. posters (I’m in NY) for suggestions.
Thank you Colin for setting up this helpful page. It is a a great comfort to be able to hear the experiences of others with a similar problem to mine and for the tips on ‘safe’ products.
Two lots of patch tests have confirmed that I have a strong sensitivity to MI/MCI Isothyazolinone mix. It is a great relief to know that this accounts for years of sore hands, eyes and hives etc. Cosmetic companies have generally been very helpful and I am compiling a list of ‘safe’ products that I can use – when my skin feels fully recovered from the bad reaction I had in May last year. If helpful I will add my safe list here for others to see. I live in the UK so many of the products we use might contain different ingredients to products in the USA or might just be called something different.
Eileen’s post (2 May 2015) was of particular interest as I have had doubts about Eucerin which was recommended to me by a pharmacist. Although I used Eucerin SPF 30 without apparent reaction I did have a reaction to another of their products and have written to ask for confirmation about ingredients. I am very surprised that Eileen warns against Aveeno as for some years I have had Aveeno Cream (moisturising cream) on prescription for eczema on my hands and recently I have been using Aveeno active naturals skin relief shea butter moisturising lotion as my daily body lotion both with no apparent problem.
Finesse Clean+Simple Hypoallergenic shampoo works for me-and MCI/MI Free, Mimethylisothiazolinone-free and Methylisothiazolinone-free and Methylchloroisothiazolinone-free, NO parabens, NO sulfates (SLS) sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate that damage my color-treated hair, no dyes. you can buy it from Amazon, but 3 X times the price of buying it from a store like Bed Bath and Beyond. I also use this as my body wash too. I am allergic to so much..and how much itching I went through for years. Glad I found this site, I thought I was the only one
Thanks Ird, I have added this to the list at http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/mi-free-shampoos/
We just painted our room with Behr Premium Plus paint from Home Depot. My husband, who has a medically certified allergy to Methylchloroisothiazolinone/Methylisothiazolinone, got a huge rash on his face. I had trouble breathing and my face was swollen. We had to “wash” out the paint. Now we’ve examined all our products and they all contain this chemical and had no idea!
I too am allergic to MI/MCI and I use Surcare liquid detergent for clothes and also the same brand of washing up liquid. Hope this helps some of you out there.
@Jean don’t give up on written about this topic people are still reading. Your information has provided a great deal of help. I usually used the common DAWN detergent for my dishes, but because of your insight, I am not going to look for a safe alternative.
Commonly, the more I learn about our products the more you realized companies are just in it for profit which out-way health. Our world is so toxic you can not live life in a (bubble) but you can try to survive and navigate it! Enjoyed your post I was lead by a product I am researching called “Herbal Essences Naked Cleansing Conditioner – 16.9 oz” trying to use this as an alternative to WEN conditioner. All ingredients where great except the last which happen to have dun, dun, dun Methylisothiazolinone.
Because of this post I now know about Methylissothiazolinone so I can decide for myself wither to take the risk with my hair or not!!!
I am on steroid tablets to come down from a horrid MI reaction – I had cancer and used Nioxin Conditioner on my thin hair only to find MI in the conditioner . It brought my eyes up terribly swollen . Beware, MI is also in Surcare Sensitive (!) fabric conditioner . It is also present in very many household all purpose “wipes” e.g. wood cleaners, leather cleaners etc .
Products I find to be free of MI are L’Oreal Absolute make up remover , Avene face products , Pixi Glow Tonic toner, Garnier Micellar Cleansing water and Johnsons baby moisturising bubble bath . I am told by Clarins that they took MI out of all their products in Jan 2015 so only old stock would have it .
Sue,
While I am clueless as to hair colour and conditioner, I do have a few suggestions with regard to visiting friends and relatives.
Methylisothiazolinone and its kin pretty much have to be in a liquid form at the point of contact to evoke the allergic reaction. So while an elevator in a hospital where many people rub their hands in anti-bacterial lotion and then touch the elevator button may be an issue, if friends and relatives use products with MI in their home, it will be a minor issue as the product used will quickly dry. You may not be able to help clean the dishes, but surfaces and bedding and such will not be an issue no matter what product is used to clean them. I do carry a kit with my soap and shampoo. Also, tissue paper can be compromised, so I carry a small packet of tissue paper for my nose.
If they are excessive users of anti-bacterial hand cleaners, you have to tell them that they may not touch you as long as the lotion or cleaner is on their hands. I do let family and friends know they are compromising my health if they inadvertently touch me with the lotion on their hands. I, also, do this with doctors and other health professionals, they are invariably happy to clean their hands with a solid soap bar before shaking hands.
Otherwise, I have not found an issue with visiting.
John
Just have been diagnosed with an allergy to these chemicals, specifically methylisothiazolinone . So glad to have found this site! Taking notes from several responders who have given useful information on what products not to use.
In 2012 I visited an allergy specialist to find relief or the cause of my chronic “eczema.” Over-the-counter steroid creams weren’t giving me relief and I believed I needed a new subscription. I didn’t really have any hope of figuring out what was the root cause of this “eczema.” I thought it might be food allergies or whatever, I couldn’t find a pattern, really, in all the two decades (yes, 20 years) I suffered from this “eczema” on and off.
The allergist recommended a patch test and so I agreed. Turns out I am allergic to this chemical methylchloroisothiazolinone, which is mouthful to pronounce and bear to treat.
Turns out it was in just about every health and beauty and cleaning agent I had in my house including the very lotions and OTC ointments designed to treat my “eczema.”
My eczema is an allergic reaction to MI/MCI. This reaction takes a while to manifest for me. I can use a product with this chemical (like Pantene shampoo for example) and it’ll take a good week or two for a full blown breakout. That is why was so hard to find the source of this rash. For me, the reaction wasn’t instantaneous.
I can’t say I was 100% cured after that visit. I ditched the products containing MI/MCI but I believe this chemical is one of several harsh chemicals in beauty products that my skin is sensitive to. I also believe that variations of MI/MCI are present in products that we believe to be MI free but aren’t. So learn the other names. The clue is the word “Kathon” and any word ending in “Isothiazolinone.”
Or just ditch it all and go full-on natural. You owe it to your skin to educate yourself about the nasty chemicals beyond MI that are detrimental to your skin and indeed your health. For me, the best treatment to get rid of that hideous itchy, painful, scaly, blistering, rash is jojoba oil which I discovered totally by accident.
So go natural. Just don’t use any product that you haven’t fully vetted to not have MI but also parabens, formaldehyde and on and on. Use less beauty aides. Heal yourself. I know I sound all hippy-dippy but this rash pushed me down that path. Jojoba oil is a miracle for me.
Thanks for this. A couple of points – I don’t think that there are many personal care products out there that don’t declare methylisothiazolinone on the pack if they contain it. I have never come across one. Also Kathon is the trade name so it shouldn’t appear on the ingredient list legally. I have never seen this particular trade name on an ingredient list, but I have seen smaller companies use trade names instead of the official names from time to time so I guess this might occur. It isn’t really correct to refer to MI as a harsh chemical. It is simply a chemical to which a minority of people get an allergic reaction – that no more makes it harsh than the prevalence of peanut allergies makes peanuts a harsh nut. If you are prone to allergies you are just as likely to get them to natural products as synthetic ones. Indeed given that natural products contain a wider range of chemical species than more conventional ones it would be more logical to avoid natural products if you have sensitive skin. However in my experience there seems to be almost no difference in the number of reactions you get reported between natural and conventional products.
Excellent to see this conversation is still happening. I first visited here years ago when my partner was diagnosed Kathon allergic. We now live pretty well Kathon free – detergents, laundry, showers, even our swimming pool has been converted. It’s fabulous! Thanks to everyone for your input. Ecover is a cleaning brand I can highly recommend. Natural swimming pool conversion is awesome. Abode laundry is working well too, and other Abode cleaning products. Weleda skin creams are wonderful, as are their shower gels and hair products. Have strength everyone – there are many many options out there! TP
Afraid Ecover is not as ecological as its name suggests, in response to my e-mail:
“I am allergic to Methylisothiazolinone and methychloroisothiazolinone and my skin is not fond of limolene and linalool and I would like to know if any ecover product, particularly the non bio laundry liquid , standard and conc contains these preservatives.” they confirmed that their products do. I will look for Abode.
So does Napier’s Herbalist starflower handcream which is even more surprising as I understand that leave on lotions should not have been sold in UK containing MCI/MI for the last year.
Products I have found free of MCI/MI :
Charles Worthington smooth and control shampoo and conditioner
Simple face moisturiser
Some Nivea
Sanex
Dermalex
Moogoo
I was patch tested last week after 18 months of increasing rashes, at least now I can try to resolve difficulty.
I used shampoo which has MI/MCI. My eyes are started burning and swollen. Initially I did not understand what was wrong going. Later Changed my shampoo to soap nut berry powder and then my eyes stopped burning. I throw the all products which has MI/MCI from home. Now I became so sensitive i cannot tolerate any fragrance. I am purchasing only fragrance free, MI/MCI free products. Many times I am going to ewg site and looking for ingredients and safety data. It is sad, but true I only using olive oil as body lotion, coconut oil as hair conditioner.
Thank you Colin for this great site. I am recently diagnosed with the Kathon allergy, also balsam of peru, lanolin, propolis, nickel and thiuram, So it appears I have my work cut out finding products. I have just downloaded an app called CosmEthics, it allows you to put in your allergies in a list and gives suggestions for products. I think it is US based, but I have found quite a few products on there that are uk. It allows you to scan and add safe products too. I thought you might like to know about this. I cannot say how good it is, I have only just got the app and I am still adding to my allergy list, I guess it will take some fine tuning for a while. I hope this info helps someone .
As NANCY Mentioned in Palmolive Ultra Pure and Clear has no harsh chemicals and skin irritants. Please refer to this link for (M)SDS for this product https://www.whatsinproducts.com/brands/show_msds/1/12590
Also https://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov has more useful resources such as website to identify ingredients in every day to day household stuff.
Thanks for this Arun – just a quick note for people who may not be familiar with them. MSDS sheets are intended to help with the safe handling of materials on an industrial scale not really for assessing the suitability of a product from a consumer point of view.
I’ve been trying to reduce my toxic load and was looking for a list of products without these ingredients. Thank you for your efforts!!
Hi. I’m allergic and I’m at the point where I think I might have to make my own products.
I’m allergic to coconut and couldn’t understand why, turns out that MI is linkin to Latex which is a food allergie as well.
It sucks that most of us will all of some kind of allergies. What seems to be OK to use it might have some other crap in it that leads to cancer.
Makes me mad and sick.
Hello Cass. Let me cheer you up. MI has no link to latex. Allergies are an unfortunate fact of life and any of us can acquire one at any time, but all cosmetics have ingredient lists so you can at least avoid things that trigger them off. There are no known carcinogens used in cosmetics, and they would get banned pretty quickly as soon as it was discovered if they were. Your chances of getting cancer are going down overall, and if you are unlucky enough to get cancer treatment outcomes are improving all the time.
Just found out yesterday that I’m allergic to MCI/MI & Nickel. (Via patch test results) Reading all of my current product ingredients. Is Methylparaben the same as MCI/MI??
No methylparaben is not the same as MCI/MI. It is a good choice if you have sensitive skin. It is the preservative that causes the fewest problems for users.
Use Only Powder laundry detergent (Most liquid detergents have MI) powder is better anyway because it does not leave residue like liquid detergents.
Thanks so much for all the info on this site. I was diagnosed with mi allergy after being poisoned at work by tri-cresylphosphate or tcp. I’m curious are there others suffering from this and work in the aviation industry?
Any product by Reckitt beckinser is listed with ingredients on their website. I was struggling to find home cleaning products that were also citrus free so found it really useful. Obviously not everything is MI free, but easier to research this than the back of bottles.
Rainbow
http://rbeuroinfo.com
I’ve had itchy smarting and blistered eyelids for years. A friend has just been tested positive for MI allergy and I suspect I have it too. I have found Systane Lid wipes useful for removing make-up (increasingly I’m not able to wear any which is a bit upsetting at my age) and daily irritants such as sweat but they’re also soothing on itchy eyelids. At £9.99 a box ( I get mine in Boots) they’re not cheap but you can cut each one in half. As they come individually wrapped you can take them out with you which is handy.
Meantime I’ve started on the long road to see which kinds of make-up I’m able to wear. I’ve learned that the word ‘hypoallergenic’ on products doesn’t always guarantee there won’t be a flare-up. In fact I’m not sure what it actually means.
Janis, your ‘hypoallergenic’ comment made me laugh. Which is nice, as there is next to nothing that is funny regarding an MI allergy.
I suspect that I have been allergic for a couple or years and known for the past year. Forums like this have been so helpful for my journey to live as MI free as possible.
Around the same time that I developed an MI allergy I became Vegan (I’m quite certain that they’re unrelated), however, it was kind of good timing as I have learnt the habit of reading ingredients from a necessity (allergy) and want (Vegan) stance. Anything I use MUST be MI free, and I’ve noticed that they’re often Vegan too. So I have actually started looking for Vegan products first as they’re usually more clearly advertised and then flipping the packaging to check that they’re MI free, often they are! Makes for finding new products a little easier. Also, I believe that MI is a liquid preservative, so I have found it very useful to opt for powder products where possible. A few exceptions to this and other products I use I will list below:
Body wash – Original Source (Boots/Superdrug/Supermarkets/Semi-Chem)
Shampoo/Conditioner – Faith in Nature (Oxfam/Holland&Barrett/Real Foods)
Face wash – Dr Organics (Holland and Barrett)
Moisturiser – Lavera (Realfoods, Holland and Barrett) I used to use Aveda (Frasers) and it was very nice, however, I swapped to something that was more affordable for me.
Mascara – Too Faced (Debenhams)
Concealer – Aveda (Frazers).
Make-up remover – Almond Oil (a lot of places)
Cleaning products, including washing up liquid – Our Earth or something, also when ALDI bring out their own Eco products I stock up.
Laundry – Eco Egg (online, Lakelands)
SPF – I don’t… Although I don’t advocate this! Even ones that I have tried give me a reaction, so maybe I have another allergy… :-/.
For me, the hardest thing is when eating out or at the gym and the tables/machines are being sprayed and wiped, I usually try and escape the area for a bit, by going to the toilet but I always turn away from the vapour and hope for the best (this is where I have been caught out).
Hope this helps someone.
I just found out it was the MI in my shampoo (Inecto) that was causing rashes and flaking on my face, nasty rashes on my throat and arms, with the rash areas growing. I was using it for many years with regular reactions but dermatologists didn’t figure it out until recently. I’ve switched to Dermaveen Oatmeal shampoo and conditioner as will the whole family.
The green people range is free of mi.
Hi Colin, here in the US mayo clinic developed an app to help people called skin safe, while its not perfect because of constant formula changes its pretty good, you can also scan a bar code and if the product has been checked it will come up. I think it would be great of they could come up with a european link to help others dealing with this life changing chemical allergy may be someone over there can contact them to see if its possible? We are all in this together ?
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My husband was diagnosed as being allergic to MI several years ago. We have been decorating the house recently and he came up in a dreadful rash. On doing some research it would appear that MI is in 99% of paint products. What a nightmare we now having in trying to find colour paint which is MI free. I can find a plain white emulsion but not anything that has a pigment in it. Does anyone else have any experience? Thanks in advance. PS we live in UK
Not sure if you are still checking this site. I’ve read every comment and would love to know if you have a site for this exact conversation for 2019 and 2020.
My face is a hot mess. Tried so many prescription creams…to no avail. I’m highly allergic to Methylisothiazolinone. The curious thing is that I don’t break out anywhere else???
Is this something others experience. Just my face. Also allergic to Iodopropynyl/butylcarbamate. Ugh! Thank you for all the information I received from this site.
Try Aveeno cream or lotion on your face Joan. I have a severe allergy to MI and it worked wonders for me x
Hi, try converting to non prescription creams like Weleda – or something even organic and natural. In addition, think about what is going INTO your body. This is super important – My husband has MS and Kathon allergy. Food is the KEY thing. Happy to help more if you need it. Take care.
Everyone is different, but if you are prone to allergies it makes sense to avoid things with too many ingredients anyone of which could be a problem. So all other things being equal, non-prescription creams are a source of new chemicals so should be treated with caution. This is even more so with natural and organic products which will contain even more different chemicals. Having said that, I’ve never noticed that natural and organic products cause more skin reactions than more conventional ones. But they certainly don’t cause less.
After being referred to the hospital, I had 32 foil cups with different substances placed on my back for 72 hours – one in particular itched like mad after just 45 mins. I was diagnosed as +3 (the most acute form) on the skin allergy chart, to MI and was told I had received a chemical burn from the test. I threw all my toiletries out and switched to Simple products, along with Aveeno, which are both free from MI. Over the years, I have gotten much better at recognising brands I can use….Carex hand wash (the majority) Imperial Leather, Palmolive, some Nivea, Alberto Balsam shampoos but not the conditioners, Ultimate Blends conditioners, Loreal and Radox (but I advise you to still check!) I hope this is of help to fellow sufferers and those newly diagnosed. I am just in the habit now of checking labels automatically before I buy and advise you to do the same, to avoid being caught out. In the early days, I have had to go to work with painful.chemical burns all over my face and body and wouldn’t wish this on anyone! How MI and related chemicals are still actually legally is beyond me!!
Hi, I also have just been diagnosed with this allergy. My eyes have been swollen since we moved into this new house,but I still haven’t found my problem. Buf I gave found that Tresmme shampoo and conditioner has it in it as well. Hoping to find more answer. I live in the USA…thank you
Please help me. I am very, very allergic to Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone. My dermatologist said he has not seen a reaction as bad as mine, in at least two years. I keep having rashes, especially around my eyes. At first I was excited because I couldn’t find this ingredient in hardly anything I use. Then I discovered that it goes under different names and that it is in almost everything I use. My Nexus shampoo and conditioner? My Gain laundry detergent and fabric softener sheets, Dawn dish washing soap. Oh no! My doctor said that even a small amount effects me. It seems like I am in am impossible situation.