Methylisothiazolinone
Severity 8/10preservative · also known as mit, mi
Is Methylisothiazolinone safe?
Methylisothiazolinone carries significant published concerns (allergy risk, irritation).
In plain language
A preservative behind one of the largest contact-allergy epidemics in cosmetic history. The EU banned it from leave-on products and restricts it in rinse-off products to 15 ppm.
A Caredermis plain-language explanation to help you read the label — not a regulator statement. The sourced facts are the classifications and status shown on this page.
Documented concerns
Each concern below is drawn from official data — see the cited sources ↓
Allergy risk
8/10Caused an epidemic of contact allergy; banned in EU leave-on products.
Irritation
5/10Irritating even in people without allergy.
Official regulatory status
Pulled directly from official regulatory datasets and expert reviews — not our own judgement.
Guidance by skin profile
Caredermis editorial guidance based on the concerns above — checked against the official records on every build, but not itself a regulator statement.
- Sensitive skinBest avoided
- Oily & acne-proneNo specific concern
- Dry skinNo specific concern
- PregnancyUse with caution
- Babies & kidsBest avoided
- Eczema-proneBest avoided
Sources
Each authority below is shown only because our ingested copy of its data lists Methylisothiazolinone — not because we asserted it. Follow a link to verify the classification or regulation directly.
CIR conclusion from the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Quick Reference Table — cir-safety.org (snapshot in data/sources/)(point-in-time snapshot; CIR's live record may have been updated since).
See our methodology for how these map to concern levels. Informational only — not medical advice.
Products in our library containing Methylisothiazolinone
- le petit marseillaisCrème mains réparatrice
- Sports AkileïneNok
- CarrefourGel shampooing douche Agrumes
- ArgileMasque Purifiant Naturel à L'Argile Verte.
- Les Cosmétiques Design ParisCrème lavante adoucissante au lait d'amande
- Dermasil LabsCocoa Butter Moisturizing Body Lotion
- Palmer'sShampooing soin formule à l'huile de noix de coco
- FLORESEAROMA SENSE COCONUT
- LabellShampooing très doux Lait de Bambou Pêche Blanche
- Marque RepèreShanpooing Douche Tonifiant
- l-orealPure Liss Système soin lissant Shampooing lissage & discipline
- DessangeShampooing dermo-apaisant antipelliculaire
Related ingredients
Ingredients with a similar role or shared type of concern — useful for comparing what's on your label.
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