PLDEFRESITJęzyk: polski
INCI name

METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE

MI

Preservativereviewed

A preservative restricted in the EU because of contact allergy.

What it is

Methylisothiazolinone (MI) is a synthetic preservative of the isothiazolinone group. Because of a rise in contact allergy, the EU banned it in leave-on products and set a low limit for rinse-off products.

Where it is used

Found in some shampoos, shower gels and liquid soaps.

Limits of interpretation

The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.

In the EU it is allowed only in rinse-off products at up to 0.0015%; see the EU regulation section.

Functions

Preservative
Exclusively or mainly intended to inhibit the development of micro-organisms in the cosmetic product. All authorised preservatives are substances in the positive list of Annex V to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.

EU regulation

EU · Annex V, entry 39Mixture of 5-Chloro-2-methyl-isothiazol-3(2H)-one and 2-Methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one with magnesium chloride and magnesium nitrate
Product type
Rinse-off
Maximum concentration
0.0015% (of a mixture in the ratio 3:1 of 5-Chloro-2-methyl-isothiazol-3(2H)-one and 2-Methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one
As of
3 November 2026 · (EC) 2014/1003
EU · Annex V, entry 572-Methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one
Maximum concentration
0,0015 % Rinse-off products
As of
3 November 2026 · (EU) 2017/1224

Safety Gate alerts (EU)

100 alerts about dangerous cosmetics in the EU mention this substance. An alert concerns a specific product, usually one that breaks EU rules.

See all alerts →

Products with this ingredient (600)

Check a full ingredient list