I'm not going to be able to answer your question fully as illex didn't work for me, felt like rubber cement and was hard to wash off. I use triple paste, the stuff used for baby rashes. In regards to leakage, on the occasions I've had it, I found that folding up a few squares of tissue paper and putting it between your bottom works great for minor issues. I would use this constantly and went out to bars, restaurants, work, anywhere, and never had problems. I guess it's just a little peace of mind.

The main ingredient in Ilex paste is white petrolatum. There’s a product on Amazon called White Petrolatum skin protectant—a 15 ounce tub for $10.  I have no experience with this product but I’ll soon run out of Ilex and will be in the same boat. May be worth spending the ten bucks to find out if this is similar. Here’s the link  — https://www.amazon.com/Dynarex...1077476381&psc=1

@BK 123 posted:

I'm not going to be able to answer your question fully as illex didn't work for me, felt like rubber cement and was hard to wash off. I use triple paste, the stuff used for baby rashes. In regards to leakage, on the occasions I've had it, I found that folding up a few squares of tissue paper and putting it between your bottom works great for minor issues. I would use this constantly and went out to bars, restaurants, work, anywhere, and never had problems. I guess it's just a little peace of mind.

yes i put a square of gauze up in there always.

@Jfill21 posted:

The main ingredient in Ilex paste is white petrolatum. There’s a product on Amazon called White Petrolatum skin protectant—a 15 ounce tub for $10.  I have no experience with this product but I’ll soon run out of Ilex and will be in the same boat. May be worth spending the ten bucks to find out if this is similar. Here’s the link  — https://www.amazon.com/Dynarex...1077476381&psc=1

the descriptions dont sound like its same as Ilex but thanks

I like a product called Calazime. You can get it on Amazon. It seems to work well for me and is easy to wipe off, but stays on well. I apply it after every BM, which, as we all know is quite frequent!

Calmoseptine has always worked for me. Amazon has it and my local pharmacy has also been able to order it for me.

Calmoseptine used sparingly. But because  it really stays put, I started to use an alcohol-free witch hazel (Thayers brand, which has aloe in it  also) on a few squares of toilet paper to cleanse before re-applying Calmoseptine after BMs.  The combination works for me. The witch hazel also helps with burning.  Thayers is expensive but I don't think it ends up more than flushable wipes. And it's got to be easier on my septic system.  

As for leaking, I'm thinking of buying Proctor & Gamble stock given how many Always size 2 wingless pads I buy.  They're marketed to young women, but work for this old-ish one and would work for guys, too. Quite remarkable technology.

@RHolt posted:

I like a product called Calazime. You can get it on Amazon. It seems to work well for me and is easy to wipe off, but stays on well. I apply it after every BM, which, as we all know is quite frequent!

The Calazime product ingredients list looks good.  I have tried Calmoseptine too and it seems to work really well for butt burn.  I have about 10,000,000 butt ointments and each one seems to randomly work for different things at different times with not much of a discernible pattern.  I might add Calazime to my collection.  I have recently added cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and vanilla to my morning beverage (in addition to ginger and turmeric for the joints) and my pouch has felt quite happy, which is good, because I'm having a bout of sore butt (fissure or hemorrhoids-that type of sore) and having an angry pouch on top of that is a recipe for never ever ever ever healing.  The sore butt is healing slowly but surely.  So yay!  I have also decreased my psyllium: I was experimenting with taking a tablespoon in the morning before breakfast and a heaping teaspoon before other meals.  It was causing a little too much bloating.  Now I'm back to a heaping teaspoon before meals, including breakfast.  Someone on this site had recommended a large amount of psyllium in the morning (and none the rest of the day, I don't think) for increased regularity, but that's not the way I roll.  Good to experiment, though!

So i guess the answer is no..... I am not asking what different products work for you guys .... I am asking what is similar to Ilex. i guess there is nothing out there

You'd think out of all the people on this forum that someone would be familiar with something similar to Ilex!  Sorry I can't help. 

Hi..ilex paste is used as an ileostomy barrier paste. I tried it but am allergic to zinc oxide so I reached out to Coloplast company to see if there was an alternative to ilex. He said not really but told be try a pectin based paste that is a skin barrier. Coloplast however said they had ilex but was expensive.  Hope this helps.

Ilex has been a godsend for me as far as leakage goes and you’re right, it’s almost impossible to find anymore, which is worrisome. I’m wondering if a barrier paste like we used to use around our stoma might work, something like Convatec Stomahesive Protective Skin Barrier Paste?

@Veggiescott posted:

Ilex has been a godsend for me as far as leakage goes and you’re right, it’s almost impossible to find anymore, which is worrisome. I’m wondering if a barrier paste like we used to use around our stoma might work, something like Convatec Stomahesive Protective Skin Barrier Paste?

let me know if you try something else and its similar.. I also deal with daily leakage which is minimal but i have used Ilex for so many years. Everything else is slippery and then i cant tell if its me leaking or if its the paste

Haven’t been on here awhile as things busy and my Ilex paste gave me good / decent quality of life. Devastated when I went to place mr 2x year large order to find that it’s discontinued in US! Yikes! Someone here  said maybe summer due to supply of containers. I will try to find something else but am at least somewhat hopeful it will come back! Will post if I hear anything but truly am beside myself because I am so dependent on it to control leakage and burning. Was hoping not true but from discussion here it’s been scarce awhile. Going order few substitutes and will post if I find a winner!

The U.S. distributor for Ilex paste has limited quantities--one box per order--of the 7g tubes. A 20-count box is $68 plus shipping. I bought an order as I haven't found a suitable alternative. Yes, it is expensive but for me, worth it. The distributor said it would be another 2-3 months before the stock for all size containers is available. Here's the address for what is available now: https://www.ilexhealthproducts...tectant-20-x-7g-tube

Just ordered an 8oz jar of Ilex from brivol.com for about $80. They seem to have plenty.  Just hope it’s the real thing.

Thanks for the heads up - just ordered one also, hoping it is the real thing

Me too.!!! 😍

I just ordered one also.

My ilex order was just cancelled this a.m. I placed it yesterday a.m. with briviol.com….anyone else get their order cancelled?

Yup -  my order was canceled this morning. also - second time in the last month that a company that purported to have it in stock canceled an order because they lied. Why can’t people just tell the truth; what’s so hard about that. Anyway, I hope the parent company is able to get things back in stock soon.

I emailed customer service, because when I called, the phone rang busy every time. I got an email back that said there was a “Payment Gateway” error and that when that was corrected they would notify me….can’t say I am very optimistic. Have you found anything even coming close to Ilex effectiveness. I have not, Calmoseptine helps, but Ilex works so much better.

Mine too.

I emailed Ilexhealthproducts and got I quick friendly apologetic reply stating that ilex will come back and to watch their website periodically.    Let’s hope so.

This is crazy!!!

Hang in there dear pouch friends 😇

Thick Moisture Barrier Paste by Coloplast

is good.  It’s not Ilex, but it’s good to have around.  I’ve used it for years off and on.

It’s not expensive. Keep it cold.

Ilex fans!! Just checked the USA website…they have 80z jars with max of 2 per order!! This makes my week. Hope you can get your supply.

Thank you for update, Vickie!

I agree with Grateful - Coloplast thick moisture paste is really good. It's not as good as Ilex, but it's better than the many others I have tried. (Just remember to get the paste and not the ointment).

Missed it….. already sold out!    This Ilex thing is sorta getting on my nerves.

Thank you Vickie for letting us know.

I’m having my doubts that ilex will actually make an appearance again (unless someone has actually been able to receive an order - I’d love to hear about it). Also, there’s this from two months ago on the drugs.com website:

Ilex Skin Protectant

Generic name: petrolatum topical [ PET-roe-LAY-tum-TOP-i-kal ]
Brand names: Aquaphor Healing, Hydrophor, ilex Skin Protectant, Vaseline, Vicks BabyRub
Drug class: Topical emollients

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Feb 13, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

  YEs, please, anyone, if you have received ilex recently please let us know.

Thanks Veggiescott

I ordered Ilex 8 oz from Brivol 4.26.23. Got a confirmation letter with order number right back. Haven't heard anything since. There is nothing like Ilex out there. Tried recommended Coloplast paste: Not happy.

ELH,  sorry the coloplast didn’t work you.  We would appreciate it very much if you let us know if and when you get your order from Brivol.

Thank you!

Still no communication from Brivol. I will post here any news, good or bad.

Thanks a lot for letting us know!

Looks like on the ilex USA site they are showing 8oz jars available again. Good luck!

Thanks Vickie! Just ordered and got my confirmation email.

Thank you Vickie!!!!! I just ordered mine also and received confirmation email as well. We’ll see what happens….

THANK YOU Vickie also!!!!!

just got my confirmation.

i think this is the real thing.  Will keep you updated

Thanks Vickie! I just ordered from IlexUSA and got confirmation email. This order sounds legitimate. I don't have much faith in Brivol, but I'm still hopeful.

just placed my order.. its about time. thank you. they were supposed to notify me but never did