Red, itchy, bumpy, blistery and painful rash. Do you have problematic skin? Did you know that many of our personal care and household products are to blame?

Health Canada is informing consumers of potential risks related to the combination of Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MI/MCI) used as a preservative in certain leave-on cosmetic, non-prescription and natural health products. Examples of leave-on products include skin moisturizers, massage products, make-up, antiperspirants/deodorants, sunscreen lotions, antiseptic cleansers, topical pain relief, acne creams and diaper rash products.

For some people, use of these substances can lead to symptoms including:

a red rash or bumps;
itching (which may be severe);
swelling, burning, or tenderness of the skin;
dry, cracked or scaly skin; and/or
blisters (draining fluid and crusting).

These symptoms may occur each time someone uses a product containing MI/MCI and may become more severe with repeated use.

These preservatives are also used in rinse-off products, such as shampoos and shower gels.

(from Healthy Canadians.GC.CA)

What can you do? Check your labels! Even on products that claim to be "natural".

We do not use this preservative...EVER.
We use Opithen(R*), at the lowest level for your safety and peace of mind. It's a Paraben-free and formaldehyde-free preservative used in aqueous formulations, anhydrous formulations, and in emulsions. Optiphen is a globally approved preservative system and is not of the "isothiazolinone" family in any way.
If you have a sensitivity or allergy to this preservative, Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MI/MCI), we highly recommend that you choose products that do not contain it. The health of your skin may depend on it.