Methylisothiazolinone
Our database includes 489 products that contain Methylisothiazolinone.
Explained
MI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.
Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI). Trade names for this combination include Kathon CG or Euxyl K 100.
Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
- The EU has banned this ingredient for leave-on products and it is capped at 0.0015% for rinse-off products.
- The US allows this ingredient in concentrations of up to 15 parts per million (ppm) in rinse-off products and 8 ppm in other products.
- Canada allows this ingredient to be used with MCI in rinse-off products. The combination must not exceed 0.0015%.
You should know
Concerns
Irritation
May cause Irritation
Skin irritation can arise from a number of reasons: very dry skin, sensitivity to certain ingredients, allergies, dermatitis, bug bites, eczema, rosacea, and illness are common factors.
Eczema
Can worsen Eczema
Eczema is also known as Atopic Dermatitis. Common symptoms include redness of the skin, itchiness, patches of rough skin, and small bumps.
Community Rating
Very Disliked
What it does
Preservative
Tending to preserve or capable of preserving.
Alternative names
Euxyl K 100
Mi
5-Chloro-2-Methyl-4-Isothiazolin-3-One
Mc/Mci-Cg
Mc/Mci-886
Kathon
5-Chloro-20methyl-3[H2]-Isothiazolinone
Prevalence
Less common
Percentage of products that contain it
0.9%
Top categories
Cleansers
Haircare
Treatments
Position
Predominant list placement
Bottom 25%
References
Products with Methylisothiazolinone
CosIng Data
CosIng ID
35341
INCI Name
METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE
EC #
220-239-6
All Functions
Preservative
