Methylisothiazolinone (MI)
Methylisothiazolinone (MI) is a preservative with a well-documented contact allergy history; the EU restricts it to rinse-off products.
- Used in
- Cosmetic ingredient (INCI)
- Role
- Preservative
Other names IngrediLens checks with this entry
The app's database groups these label names, including names used on labels in other European languages, with methylisothiazolinone. Some are true synonyms, others are close relatives with the same allergen or concern.
Contains / relevant to
- MI / MCI preservatives: Relevant to people avoiding MI / MCI preservatives. Preservatives with a well-documented contact allergy history.
- Contact dermatitis history: Common contact allergens from patch-test panels.
- Eczema / atopic dermatitis: Ingredients frequently reported as irritating to a compromised barrier.
What to look for on labels
- Cosmetic ingredient lists use INCI names, in descending order of concentration down to 1 %; ingredients below 1 % can follow in any order.
Questions and answers
Why do people avoid methylisothiazolinone?
Isothiazolinone preservatives have a well-documented history of contact allergy and are on standard patch-test panels.
Where is methylisothiazolinone allowed?
EU rules allow methylisothiazolinone, alone or mixed with methylchloroisothiazolinone, only in rinse-off products such as shampoo and shower gel, at low concentrations.
Related
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) is a preservative usually used together with methylisothiazolinone (MI) in…
- DMDM hydantoinDMDM hydantoin is a preservative that slowly releases formaldehyde to keep products free of microbes.
- PhenoxyethanolPhenoxyethanol is a widely used cosmetic preservative that EU rules allow up to a set maximum concentration.
- How to read cosmetic INCI lists for sensitive skinGuide
Sources
Banned in EU leave-on cosmetics and restricted in rinse-off after a documented rise in contact allergy.
- EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V (allowed preservatives)
- IngrediLens ingredient database (names, flags and notes shown on this page)
Label information, not medical advice. This page describes how an ingredient is named and labelled and how IngrediLens flags it; it cannot tell you whether a product is safe for you. Always read the label on the product itself and follow the advice of your doctor, allergist or dermatologist. If someone shows signs of anaphylaxis, use their adrenaline auto-injector if they have one and call emergency services.
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