I guess the thing that bothers me about "Biotone-Bashing" is that I've seen a number of massage therapists think the brand name is the problem, instead of the ingredients. One of my colleagues switched to TheraPro, another switched to Soothing Touch. Neither had any problems with Biotone, but just got scared by the rumors. They didn't seem to care that the ingredients in all of these creams is similar. They contain nut & coconut oils (which are common allergies) as well as chemical additives (preservatives, emulsifiers, etc.) Biotone's ingredient list is actually shorter than many of their competitors, yet I don't hear the other brands criticized. Seems unfair to me.
There are some creams available that are chemical-free (the ingredient thread shows which ones), but they do have shorter shelf lives as well as a different workability than typical creams (due to the lack of emulsifiers & preservatives). Even with these creams, therapists need to be alert for allergic reactions to the natural ingredients.
Jojoba oil is always a good "back-up."