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What are Itchy Ms?

Itchy... What?
These refer to preservatives, usually listed near the end of an ingredient list, that are long and start with the letter "M." The common ones are Methylchlorioisothiaolinone and Methylisothiazolinone.

Basically... if it begins with Meth and ends with One, it's an Itchy M.

What do they do?
They are preservatives that keep your products from going bad. They are anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, so they keep your conditioner and other bath products safe in a hot and
humid climate.

But, they can seriously irritate your skin.

Many people get scalp itch, irritation and pain from using products with Itchy Ms. If you have skin allergies, it can be quite serious.

So, what should I do?
It's generally a good idea to avoid co-washing with Itchy M ingredients. I don't use them as a co-wash, as I have psoriasis. But, I do occasionally use them as a conditioner (Suave Essentials and Beauty & Planet, for example). If you use them as a conditioner, don't let the product get anywhere near your roots or scalp. And rinse everything out. Don't leave any in.

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