Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Products which DO contain MI and related chemicals

This list is a growing list of things which do contain MI.  I'm trying to keep up to date with the things identified on the FB group for MI allergy, but things are changing all the time, as more and more manufacturers use these chemicals as preservatives to replace parabens.

Look for Methylisothizolinone, Benzoisothiazolinone, Chloroisothiazolinone.  The allergy is to the -isothiazolinone in all it's forms.  Also shown as kathon on labels.

I'm paying particular attention to things you'd think wouldn't have it in, like those labelled hypoallergenic or sensitive.

Fairy Liquid and all P&G washing up liquids
I talked today to customer services at Proctor and Gamble and confirmed that Fairy Liquid, beloved washing up liquid of thousands, contains MI, as do ALL other Proctor and Gamble washing up products.  They tell me that their expert advisor says that people should be able to tolerate MI in a rinse-off product such as Fairy Liquid.  This is a link to their product checker, which allows you to feed in the reference number of a product and find out what ingredients it includes. Please contact companies and tell them that they must replace these chemicals in their formulations.

Pure Derm US
Pure Derm wipes in the US are reported to have MI in.

Surcare clothes washing and conditioner liquids
Contain MI

Surcare sensitive
Despite the hypoallergenic label, this now contains MI


Products which do NOT contain MI and related chemicals (links)

This is going to be a continually updated and growing list (I hope) of products which do not contain MI and the related chemicals.  

Cosmetics, shampoos, deodorants and moisturisers

All Good Goop
Although the only place I found it was ebay for £15.70 a jar!

Body Shop products
Don't contain MI. Although frankly they have blotted their copybook in my view by jumping onto the Black Friday nonsense.

Burts Bees

Clinique

Edinburgh Skincare Company
Another small British company which doesn't use nasties in the products

Eyecare cosmetics range
You will find their free-from list on their eyecare page here.

Garnier Ulimate Blends brown with coconut is reportedly safe, but other Garnier products contain MI so check the label.

Green People Company
The Green People company doesn't include MI in its products and hopefully never will.  They produce shampoo and soaps, suncare, toothpaste and make up.

Lush
Don't contain MI

Neal's Yard
Neal's Yard products don't have MI.

Organic Surge
Weird name, had to dig deep through a lot of marketing blurb which said nothing much to confirm this is a British company.  They appear to be ethical and created because the founder had allergies.

Washing up liquids

Almat washing liquid and fabric conditioner from Aldi reportedly safe.

Ecover

Tesco washing up liquid is reportedly safe, but I haven't checked this myself yet.

Clothes washing liquids and powders

It's reported that most powders will be MI free, but liquids and gels may be a problem. ALWAYS read the labels as formulations change!

Co-op non bio ultra gel

Ecover Liquid (not gel?)
Is reportedly free from the -isothiazolinone ingredients.

Ecover Zero

Persil no bio powder

Baby products


Household products














Methylisothiazolinone, Isothiazolinone and Chloroisothiazolinone Allergy Resources

Welcome to my page of resources for people who are sensitive or allergic to Methylisothiazolinone, Isothiazolinone and Chlorothiazolinone additives in household and cosmetic products. I'm going to use MI as an abbreviation for all three related chemicals.

Some time ago I developed eczema on my eyelids, which I tracked down to the use of a particular shampoo.  Then I happened to hear an item on You and Yours on BBC Radio 4, which explained that many people had developed a sensitivity to a product which has been introduced as a preservative.  Suddenly MI seemed to be in everything, from shampoo to washing up liquid, cleansing wipes to moisturizing cream.

I am concentrating on finding resources to allow people to replace the products which irritate the skin with those which don't, especially recipes and tips to allow people to make their own products and be sure that they are safe to use.

I am also concentrating on the UK, UK products and trademarks and UK suppliers, as I have found it quite annoying to be continually guided to pages where the products are only available in the US or would cost an arm and a leg to import to the UK.

I have started a petition on the 38 degrees website to get these chemicals banned, but I think the best chance of removing them is to inform the manufacturer
Photo by James Heilman, MD (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0
s that their bottom line is going to be harmed if they continue to include MI in their ingredients.

I intend to post lists of MI-free products, but be aware that while I will make every effort to keep the information up to date, it is possible that a manufacturer may change their formulation at any time.

I also intend to post information about support groups and action groups campaigning to have the ingredient removed from products, as well as lists of products known to contain MI.  Please let me know in the comments if there are other products which should be included in these lists.