Is Methylisothiazolinone Banned? EU vs US Status, Risks & Where It Hides
TL;DR: Methylisothiazolinone is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (preservatives).
INCI name Methylisothiazolinone. CAS 2682-20-4.
Is Methylisothiazolinone banned in the EU?
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | wet wipes, shampoo, liquid soap |
| CAS number | 2682-20-4 |
What is Methylisothiazolinone?
Methylisothiazolinone is a preservative (MIT) used in water-based products.
Why is Methylisothiazolinone used in personal-care products?
It is used for its preservative, coloring, UV-filtering, lightening or texture-enhancing properties.
Is Methylisothiazolinone dangerous? Documented risks
A potent contact allergen behind an epidemic of skin allergies. The EU banned it in leave-on products and limits rinse-off use; US use is far less restricted.
Products that may contain Methylisothiazolinone
- TRESemmé Botanique Coconut Nourish ShampooTRESemmé
- Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing ShampooHerbal Essences
- Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine ShampooGarnier
- TRESemmé Keratin Smooth ShampooTRESemmé
- Old Spice Timber Body WashOld Spice
- Axe Phoenix Body WashAxe
- Irish Spring Original Body WashIrish Spring
- Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Shower GelBath & Body Works
How to avoid Methylisothiazolinone: safer alternatives
Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.
Frequently asked questions about Methylisothiazolinone
Is Methylisothiazolinone banned in the EU?
Methylisothiazolinone is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Is Methylisothiazolinone in US cosmetics?
Yes — Methylisothiazolinone can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
What products contain Methylisothiazolinone?
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Methylisothiazolinone automatically.
Are there safer alternatives to Methylisothiazolinone?
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Methylisothiazolinone.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Methylisothiazolinone or other ingredients banned overseas.
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Avoiding banned beauty ingredients? Check your food, too.
Sources
- EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II (prohibited substances) — EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009
- EU-banned cosmetics ingredients and US impact — RegASK
- Chemicals in cosmetics — CHEM Trust
Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.