I think I may have finally figured out at least one of my chemical sensitivities - phenoxyethanol.  I did a comparison of the products that make me sting and turn red with my Excel spreadsheet and phenoxyethanol is the common denominator.  It's in Cetaphil Lotion and Eucerin Calming Cream, both of which have been turning me red and stinging lately.  Lubriderm Sensitive Skin Therapy lotion doesn't have this in it, neither does Eucerin Cream in the tub and both of them completely calm down my skin.  And Aquaphor doesn't have it either - that's one I can use too.

Anyone else sensitive to phenoxyethanol?  I don't know that it's all formaldehyde releasing preservatives because the Lubriderm does have another one - DMDM Hydantoin (or however you spell it  ) - and the Lubriderm is so soothing and doesn't irritate at all.  And parabens don't seem to bother me either.  And since the Eucerin Cream and Aquaphor have lanolin alcohol, am I safe in assuming lanolin is okay for me too, because it's derived from lanolin, correct?

Anyway, it's such detective work to figure all of this out, but at least I'm getting somewhere, although I do feel a bit obsessive with my Excel spreadsheet and all - but hey, my derm said I needed to do detective work, right?  ;D

Beth